Cost of replacing Septic tank pump.. - HELP NEEDED ASAP

[thatguy]

My neighbor has her septic drain field in her front yard, the septic tank is in the back - so she has a holding tank with a pump that moves the water from the holding tank up to the drain field

The pump used to push the water to the drain field is dead after 5 yrs (not sure why, could be lightning).. NOT A FINAL COST - but she was quoted $1800 to replace it..

That sounds extremely high - especially when you can buy a submersible well pump for well under $500...

Thoughts... Ideas..

Brian

 

[Rock knocker]

1) Get another price
2) Buy a pump at a plumbing supply and DIY

 

[Rock knocker]

You're looking for something like this:
Goulds PE51M 1/2HP, 115V Sub Effluent Pump -Manual 1/2 Solids [PE51M] - $239.38 : Water Pumps Pro | Commercial & Residential Water Pumps

This is what I have on my house, replacing a similar unit that lasted 16 years, before that the previous one lasted 20 years.

You may have to buy floats. In fact a bad float may have burned your unit out

 

[JDgreen227]

Have to wonder how much of the estimate you quote is for labor and how much is for pure greed on the part of the quotee...

 

[thatguy]

Thanks.. It's not my pump but a neighbors... Hook pass this info along

 

[BethelHntr]

That's in the ballpark, Just had mine replaced last week.

 

[Rock knocker]

$1800 seems pricey, but probably includes a pump down, a pump, =/- floats, plumbing, a plumber and an electrician

 

[thatguy]

Pump is $650 (Suppose to be top of the line 1/2 horse 220 v) and total cost does electrician, pump out

 

[plowking]

Depends on how much horsepower the pump has to have to be able to lift to the leachfield. I was at a job today that needed a 1100 dollar pump ,it lifts over ten feet and leachfiled is over two hundred feet away. The pump chamber and leachfield should be vented to help pump push any air before the liquid. Rewiring pump could be another expense. plowking

 

[Tractor Seabee]

Here you go: Plumber $125/hr and electrician at the same rate.
Travel to job for each to look and back to shop- 1 hr.ea
Evaluate job an make parts list- 1 hr/ea
Chase parts- 2 hrs/ea
Back to job and return to shop- 1 hr/ea
Plumber work-4 hr
Electrician work 2 hr ( he cannot wire new one till old one is out and new one in the pit, plumber stands around while that happens)
Pump cost at list- $500
Electrical incidentals $50
Recycle disposal cost $100
16 hours labor
I think his quote was a bargain.

Union plumbers around here also have a Maint Electrician License so a lot of that cost would go away. Its still a fair price.

Ron