Wild plumbing estimate.

[N80]

I have galvanized pipe running from the city's meter box into my house. When the city was doing some sewage line repairs they hit my supply line. They fixed the part they hit but commented that the galvanized pipe looked bad and probably needed to be replaced. Well, there is no evidence that it is leaking and our water pressure is fine so I'm not in a hurry to get it done but I asked a plumber who was doing this same job on a neighbor's house to give me an estimate.

The job would be to run a new line from the meter box to the house. The distance is about 30'. He's asking $1600. This is the lowest quote any of our neighbors have gotten for similar work from several plumbers.

I know plumbing work is expensive. We had our whole previous house re-done in Pex and have had most of this house done as well.

But $1600 seems not just a little high but waaaaaaay high to me. I'd be interested in your thoughts.

But, I'd be more interested in finding out what it would take to do the job myself. I know a little bit about plumbing. I designed and installed the DWV system for my 900 sq foot cabin and installed the Pex tube supply system in the cabin. All pretty basic stuff.

What I need to know about this job is what type of pipe/tubing do I use for the underground supply from meter to house and also how deep it needs to go. I'm in the south so the frost line would be very shallow if we even have such a thing. If it is not too deep I would just dig by hand. Thanks for any help.

 

[EddieWalker]

Copper is always a favorite, but it's become very pricey. PEX is a great choice. Especially since you can make it in one run without any joints. PVC is also good and real easy to use. The hard part is digging the trench, the piping part is easy!!!

Eddie

 

[Western]

George, when I re -worked a rental my mother owned, I used the same type galvanized pipe that was there and dug it the same depth (14"). It was approximately 60' run. I rented a walk behind trencher for $65 for half day use. Total job took around 4 hrs. I dug by hand at each end to get to the connections though. I went with the pipe just in case someone dug in the yard to plant a bush or something of that nature. Total cost was right around $300 (5 years ago). I left the old pipe in the ground and trenched just above it, maybe not the smartest thing to do though.

She also had a plumber come out and give estimates for the supply line replacement and to replace the old tile type sewer line to the city sewer connection (85') the total bid was just over 4k:shocked: We just rented a root cutter for the sewer line and took out the bushes.

 

[N80]

Thanks guys. Had not thought about a rental trencher. I think when the time comes I will do this myself. Think I will go with PEX since I've used it before and I need to make a bit of an arch around a pecan tree.

 

[murphy1244]

Thanks guys. Had not thought about a rental trencher. I think when the time comes I will do this myself. Think I will go with PEX since I've used it before and I need to make a bit of an arch around a pecan tree.

If you use plastic leave some metal behind so you can find the line again with a detector.

 

[300UGUY]

I really don't know what you plumbing codes are down there, but in a lot of places, anything that taps into a municipul system has to be done by a licenced plumber and inspected. But maybe I don't understand the scope of the work. Once inside the house, homeowner's can do it here.

 

[murphy1244]

Here its either before or after the meter. after all yours

 

[N80]

I really don't know what you plumbing codes are down there, but in a lot of places, anything that taps into a municipul system has to be done by a licenced plumber and inspected. But maybe I don't understand the scope of the work. Once inside the house, homeowner's can do it here.

That might be the reason they are asking such ridiculous amounts to do the work. If I can't do it then they can charge whatever they want. And not to sound like a thug or anything but as far as I am concerned what the city doesn't know won't hurt them. When they cut the line (on my side of the meter box) the did the repair with what looked like PEX and extended it a ways into my yard so I will not have to attach anything to the actual meter box.

Of course I will have to call them to get buried gas, electrical, and sewer marked and they might tell me at that time that I cannot do the work.

 

[bigtiller]

$1600 sounds reasonable to me, in fact, I think I would hire him and get done before he changes his mind. With a truck, trailer, TLB, license, insurance, supplies, and an extra helper, what do you think a fair price would be? Be generous, he may not be able to afford working for you.

 

[turnkey4099]

Thanks guys. Had not thought about a rental trencher. I think when the time comes I will do this myself. Think I will go with PEX since I've used it before and I need to make a bit of an arch around a pecan tree.

Depending on your time available and 'motivation' there is not much to digging a 50' long couple foot deep trench by hand. Only a couple hours unless the ground is very rocky. I hand dug about 350' of trenches here laying irrigations lines, drainage tile etc most 4' deep all by hand. One has to fall in love with a shovel though

Harry K