Just sent off an order for materials to do another repipe in type A PEX. You have to really think ahead and try to get all your stuff together, at least to get the job started. If you need something, and don't want to keep an inventory, you have to plan carefully, or maybe you don't got it. Three day lag time unless you pay next day freight. The customer did all the shopping on the first one, so this is my first solo flight purchasing materials for a job of this sort.
It's nice to work with, though. The Milwaukee rechargeable tool is a real brick, but performs nicely. My customer is buying the tool, though he don't know it yet, but we'll e-bay it when the job is done and end up paying 50 bucks or so rent for the use of it for the one job.
So, if you want the experience thing of doing the Uponor, and have the time to fool with it, go for it. I think it's pretty damn cool and for me, there's little or no worry about the integrity of the joints. With copper, you can do everything right and still have a connection failure, it seems.
FWIW; this job will also be done in phases, starting with the basement level. Phase I will be the basement/garage level, and include the main shut-off, PRV, water heater, and at least 2 spigots. I will connect to existing PB piping to the main floor and top floor to keep all the fixtures functioning until the next phase of the job happens.
Materials cost to get started is just shy of 1200 bucks including the expander tool. Other significant costs include 100' of blue 3/4 pipe, 100' 3/4" red pipe, 200' blue 1/2 pipe and 100' red 1/2 pipe. Other materials include fittings, adapters, pipe clips, rings, tees, elbows, etc. As usual for me, I'm over-buying to cover all contingencies. If you don't have too much, you ain't got enough.
