plumbing with pex

3 years ago

I have a 3400 square ft 2 family home that wasn’t winterized properly and now the client wants us to tie into the existing copper pipe that is still there with Pex . And totally re-plumb entire house using existing copper pipe as the guide .. What is the going rate for just labor on a job like this

Featured Answer

PRO

Crusoe Enterprise LLC
Original Author

3 years ago

License and bonded and insured for your information .. So this question this FORUM is to get opinions from other professionals in the industry .. Not a smart ass remark .. Thank you!

Comments (17)

greg_2015
3 years ago
Charge your normal rate. You're a licensed professional plumber, right?

If you aren't, then you shouldn't be doing the work.
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greg_2015
3 years ago
This forum is mainly DIYers with a few professionals.

While my comment might have been a little tongue in cheek, I really am honestly confused about why a professional wouldn't know what their hourly rate is.

And I'm sure it is highly location dependent, so if you really hope to get some appropriate answers, you'd need to say where you are located.
PRO
Crusoe Enterprise LLC
Original Author
3 years ago
It’s not that I didn’t know I was just asking opinions. Seeing what is out there in a real time average .. A client stayed that the price I gave them was to high so I just wanted to get feedback on what I believe to be a fair price ...In case there is some leeway I could extend to this client thats all ..
greg_2015
3 years ago
Again ... you won't get any useful answers without providing a location.

Did your client shop around for other prices and your competitors are lower? Or are they just throwing out an uneducated opinion that you charge too much?
PRO
Crusoe Enterprise LLC
Original Author
3 years ago
Property is In Shaker Hts. Ohio yes they asked around , I believe they have been turned down twice because of the price they want to pay and they have already lost on the job because of some real shotty work so I believe there trying to recoup some money from other areas.. below are photos of the type of shotty work they get ... And why I always say you get what you pay for .
greg_2015
3 years ago
No offense, but it sounds like the type of client that you wouldn't want to have. They'll probably try to nickel and dime you the whole time and challenge everything you try to charge them.

Sounds like more of a headache than it's worth. Unless you are desperate for work (no offense intended), I'd suggest passing.

At the least, I would not alter your normal price. If they win one thing, they'll keep pushing for more. Stand your ground.
PRO
Crusoe Enterprise LLC
Original Author
3 years ago
Thank you Greg that’s exactly what I was saying sir .. In business you have to stand firm on something... I appreciate your input ..
PRO
Joseph Corlett, LLC
3 years ago
Carusoe, if 10-20% of your customers aren't bitching about your rates, you aren't charging enough.
PRO
Crusoe Enterprise LLC
Original Author
3 years ago
Lol .. Hey Joe so check this out sir .. this lady wants us to run approximately..80 linear ft. Of Pex through a entire 2 family house .. and install a new sump pump for 3500$ ....🤦‍♂️.. oh yeah and she says I’m paying cash .. No deposit..you get paid in phases they pay for all materials and since it’s straight cash she wants discounts ... ??? We got walls to tear out and flooring and have to take out all the existing copper ..”Which makes no sense “..and run all new Pex ...
PRO
Crusoe Enterprise LLC
Original Author
3 years ago
And fix stuff her “OTHER PLUMBERS MESSED UP “ look at this crap
PRO
Joseph Corlett, LLC
3 years ago
We are installing 5 kitchen sinks next week, each a one-day job, and none less than $3,500.00. I doubt this lady is my kinda customer.
PRO
Crusoe Enterprise LLC
Original Author
3 years ago
You get what you pay for in this industry Joseph
HU-178658043
3 years ago
Full cash, up front, to the tune of the bid, and I'll consider a discount. Nickle/dime me from start to finish and it isn't worth considering. I still have materials, subs and labor costs.
PRO
Crusoe Enterprise LLC
Original Author
3 years ago
Exactly ..
Bruce in Northern Virginia
3 years ago
It definitely sounds like she would be difficult customer, and may fight you all the way if something increases the cost. If you aren't already familiar with using PEX, its not a good idea to start out with a PIA customer.

Running PEX is easier than copper if all the walls are already open, and its a good solution, but it is usually routed and connected differently (using home runs to PEX manifolds, etc.). I have seen a few jobs where someone tried to use the same layout as the old copper. It worked, but was definitely not pretty. And there were way too many joints with 90 degree fittings because they didn't space the holes so they could flex and route the PEX properly. PEX itself is relatively cheap, but using a bunch of 90 degree fittings and connections will quickly increase the material cost.

Bruce
PRO
Crusoe Enterprise LLC
Original Author
3 years ago
Thank you Bruce ! I’ve definitely used Pex before that’s why I explained to her that even though it’s Pex it’s still Walls we have to tear out and some flooring .. I charged what I believed was a fair price of $8450 labor only ...which doesn’t include any faucets .. but would include shut offs of course ...and I threw in a sump pump install as well her response was this

REALLY ???