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I’m throwing together a preliminary budget for a bathroom update/remodel. I know no one can really estimate the work required without ever seeing the job, but I just want to make sure my ballpark labor hours are in line.
I will remove the existing sink and cabinets. I need the plumber to pull the existing one piece tub/shower unit & toilet. Then install a new tub and surround. I currently have only one sink and we will be putting in a double sink, so I need the plumbing for the new drain installed. Access is easy from the cellar to the current drain area. I also would like new plumbing for the toilet (water only not the drain to the septic).
I was thinking along the lines of 12 hours total. 4 for the tub, 4 for the drain & a couple for the toilet plumbing with a couple hours for things I missed. Total 12 hours. Is this even remotely close?
SJ
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The guy in the nice truck stocked full of parts at $75/hour? Yeah, maybe on a good day with a tailwind.
The guy who gets $30 on the side to do some plumbing? Nope, add 50% at least for running to get parts and a likely slower work speed due to less experience.
*steve,I think you can remove the toilet and tub yourself and save some money. if you can remove sink and cabinet, it isn't much more difficult to pull those items. just take your time and be careful. as dave thomas states, get a good plumber. the long run cost is usually the same or less than a side jobber, and you get an insured contractor.
*Thanks for the replys.I will be removing the entire sink and cabinet prior to the plumber showing up. I could probably do the tub too, but we only have one bathroom. So my mindset was just get someone in to do the toilet supply line replacement and install the tub etc. in one day so we won't have to stay with a friend for a day or two. I pulled labor estimates from a national plumbing estimation book and I feel comfortable that a plumber with helper can do the entire thing in one day easily (8 hours). After speaking with a friend who is a foreman for 35 pipefitters he says any plumber that can't do it in a day should try another craft. I'm not sure if that is true....but that was the vibe I got.So my estimate is $70/hr 8-12 hours total. Sound about right?SJ
*Steve, seems reasonable, just one question--you aren't going to tell the plumber how long it's going to take him, are you? In the end it takes what it takes; you should probably have the money on hand for as much as 50% over your estimate. What if something breaks, etc?
*Whatever it takes it takes. I don't want someone to tell me how to do my job therefore I would never do it to someone else. However, if someone comes in with a crazy estimate of what it will take I will expect an explanation. Anything over a "normal" timeframe I want to be notified and given an explanation.I would expect that a plumber charging what they charge in my area should be in and out with a professional job done. That is all I ask. I just wanted to be able to estimate whether it was a $500 job or $1000 job. Anything approaching $1000 I want to know why.A friend of mine just got charged $225/hour for a plumber and a helper for 4 hours of work that actually only took them 2:45....so I want to know what is happening with the labor time. Also, they charged him for some shady tool rentals that weren't really necessary (they didn't do the job they were rented to do).Just trying to be careful.SJ
*It seems you already have a mindset here - you've gotten time estimates from national averages and you seem to know the approximate hourly labor cost for plumbers in your area. Who is furnishing the materials (fixtures, piping, faucets). If you intend to furnish materials, count on a higher labor cost to offset the lack of profit from materials furnished by the plumber.Get two or three estimates and go with the guy you're the most comfortable with......but DO have this done by a licensed plumber.
*Thanks for the input. I didn't necessarily think about the added labor cost if I supplied the fixtures. I was going to supply them all but then I ran into a issue. Most standard tubs are 60", I measure the existing one piece and it measures 58.5" from wall to wall. So I'm not sure what the gig is with this. Maybe I will supply all but the tub and surround. Heck I'll have him give me a price on the exact toilet we want and if it is cheaper then we'll get it through him.Thanks for making me think on that one. SJ
*This is a fiberglass tub surround? The 60" standard tub size reflects outside measurements, i.e. stud-to-stud. 58.5" sounds like the inside measurement.One other thing to consider, I've had plumbers tell me that I can buy certain items cheaper at Home Depot than they can order them for. If HD doesn't have it in stock, I'd rather order elsewhere though. Nothing like having the only tub in the house ripped out and finding out the kid behind the counter at HD never placed the order...
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I'm throwing together a preliminary budget for a bathroom update/remodel. I know no one can really estimate the work required without ever seeing the job, but I just want to make sure my ballpark labor hours are in line.
I will remove the existing sink and cabinets. I need the plumber to pull the existing one piece tub/shower unit & toilet. Then install a new tub and surround. I currently have only one sink and we will be putting in a double sink, so I need the plumbing for the new drain installed. Access is easy from the cellar to the current drain area. I also would like new plumbing for the toilet (water only not the drain to the septic).
I was thinking along the lines of 12 hours total. 4 for the tub, 4 for the drain & a couple for the toilet plumbing with a couple hours for things I missed. Total 12 hours. Is this even remotely close?
SJ