How are plumbing services charged nowadays ? At work, we have two side-by-side units (spaces) and the water heater in one failed. We have a working water heater in the other unit so we're not in an emergency situation. We've had (3) estimates done for replacing a 19-gallon unit (it can be smaller but I doubt the cost changes much) and for the heater and labor the amounts have been: $1450, $1750, and $3100 
. In 2 of the 3 cases, a plumber has come to do the estimate which made me think, do these folks work on commission now ? When the guy told me $3100, he certainly saw my eyes go wide-open. I told him "your price is double two quotes I've gotten" but I don't think he believed me. Watched him go back to his truck and not leave.... told my co-worker he's re-working the quote, which he did. Came back, said he "called the office", and would do it "today" for $2900. I told him no again and this time, I showed him the quotes so he saw that I wasn't making up amounts.
Do most larger shops just have flat amounts already worked out, i.e. water heater replacement costs "X", replace toilet wax ring costs "Y", and so on ? Do the tech/plumbers work on commission ?
. In 2 of the 3 cases, a plumber has come to do the estimate which made me think, do these folks work on commission now ? When the guy told me $3100, he certainly saw my eyes go wide-open. I told him "your price is double two quotes I've gotten" but I don't think he believed me. Watched him go back to his truck and not leave.... told my co-worker he's re-working the quote, which he did. Came back, said he "called the office", and would do it "today" for $2900. I told him no again and this time, I showed him the quotes so he saw that I wasn't making up amounts.Do most larger shops just have flat amounts already worked out, i.e. water heater replacement costs "X", replace toilet wax ring costs "Y", and so on ? Do the tech/plumbers work on commission ?
