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In article <1159176432.136620.52310@i42g2000cwa.googlegroups.com>,
escorpion@pobox.com wrote:
>
> I'm envisioning that we had to cut below the valves, solder new valves
> on or create whatever termination needs to be done
>
> Just the pluming work ( place aside that I'll have to drywall and
> paint) how much does this cost on average for the Delray Beach Fl area
> cost
>
> How much do plumbers charge by day - what is a fair price range for
> this type of work - I got quoted $800.00 - sounds high to me for
> something that I gather is going to take max 2 - 3 hours to do.
Most plumbers that I have had dealings with here in the LA area charge ~75/hr
for most jobs and will try to maximize the amount of time they spend on a
job for things like drain uncogging,etc. If in your case, you're just
replacing the two valves (hot + cold) and they're currently soldered (sweated)
on, you can do that using steps similar to the following -- these are just
some steps that I (I am not a plumber) might be tempted to use :
1) Shutting off the water
2) Drain water from pipes by turning on the lowest faucet in the house
(the higher faucets then have nothing to leak while you're working)
3) Put a heat shield behind the two faucets to be removed so you do not
melt the plastic box when you do step #4 (or plan to replace box after-
wards!)
4) Using a propane or mapp gas torch, heat valve #1 sufficiently and
using a pair of pliers wiggle the valve back & forth until it comes
off the end of the copper pipe. While the pipe is still fairly hot
wipe with a soft terry cloth to remve most of the excess solder left
over (be careful not to burn your fingers doing this)
5) Repeat #4 for the 2nd valve
6) Using a plumbing wire brush (those things with a hole in them), clean
the threads of each pipe so that the new valves can be tapped onto the
existing pipes easily.
7) (optional, but a good idea) -- remove valve body from valve to prevent
it (and the rubber valve stop) from being heated when using the torch
in the next step -- use a couple of wrench to remove it
8) Using the torch, apply even heat to the pipe and apply solder at the seam
of the valve to the pipe.. The solder should be wicked into the joint
easily. Some flux is usually helpful to make this happen easier, but
apply that before using the torch!
Overall, I would say that this guy is either not interested in doing your job
because it's too small therefore he needs to make it worth his time, or
he's inexperienced and doesn't know how to do it. I would personally do
something like the above and it would probably take me (I am no plumber!)
about an hour or perhaps a bit more tops. In other words, he's trying
to make his day's wage off of you for at most 1 hour of work.. Just my $0.02
worth of comments..
P.S. Get one or two more bids! You also might try a handy-man if all of
your plumber bids are >$500 -- and you're not interested in doing it yourself.
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Re: Ball Park of Plumbimg job
