Curious about 2021 costs to replace ~25ft of black pipe and couplings?

[JimNY]

Hi,

Been ages since we had any real pipe fitting done, so kinda curious if the $2K quote is in line around the US. (And, yeah, money is real tight - but a leak is a leak.)

Detail: A short section of a basement-floor horizontal steam return pipe rotted through. Plumber proposed also replacing adjoining pipes totaling ~25ft, (after first suggesting re-doing the entire 75 foot run through walls, staircases etc.).

(moderator sure can move this if there is a more appropriate sub-forum, or delete if price-talk is inappropriate)

 

[Jeff H Young]

Prices vary so much, and one's opinion on fair prices as well a wide range of 150 to 500 an hour would be my expectation of bids say 4 hours 600 to 2 grand 100 or so parts . we get guys coming in 3600 dollars on a 50 gallon gas water heater that are good size companies with pretty trucks and white shirts and radio commercials.
Licensed or not, insured or not etc?

 

[Sponsor]

 

[JimNY]

Thanks for the insights. This particular one is not a handyman-plumber, but a plumbing and HVAC contractor. No commercials, the vans are decent but not really pretty, and shirts not starched white

 

[John Gayewski]

Can't say about price, but he was right to want to replace as much of the condensate return as possible. This is really most times the part of a steam system subject to rot. When he gets done replacing thr 25 ft. Someone will be back sling the rest soon. Cheaper to have it all done at once.

 

[JimNY]

Ouch. In that case, will be keeping fingers and everything else that can be crossed, crossed, that it's not too soon.

Seriously, though, your advice is welcome, and it makes sense that if doing it all at once, the cost per foot, say, would be greatly reduced.

But also see that the plumbing contract is explicit that while necessary demo is included, filling-in and restoration is not. And it seems the self-constructing prior generations built over and on top of, and enveloped much of the length of the return pipes, and can't imagine, and couldn't afford, the cost of re-doing it all the restoration today.

 

[Jeff H Young]

Thanks for the insights. This particular one is not a handyman-plumber, but a plumbing and HVAC contractor. No commercials, the vans are decent but not really pretty, and shirts not starched white

OK well hope you like his price did you get a few bids or your comfortable with this guy?

 

[JimNY]

Well must admit the magnitude of the pricing was a surprise - until you pointed out the possible extent of labor costs.
Been using them for quite a while, and whomever they have sent out has always been competent.
And since don't want the accelerating leak to become a flood, decided not to use up more time seeking other bids.