bathtub faucet cartridge replacement cost

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r/Plumbing on Reddit: How much would you charge for a cartridge replacement?

August 9, 2016 -

I had a leaky Delta faucet in my tub/shower. I knew the cartridge was more than likely bad so I called a plumber who was able to come out the next day. I was at work so my wife let him into the house. I came home to a $285 bill for replacing the cartridge. I called up the plumber and asked what he charged for the cartridge, he said $83 and I asked what his hourly rate was and he said he doesn't charge by the hour and only by the job.

I understand he has to mark up the parts...which it is a $30-$40 part...so he charged me double on the part...which seems high but I am okay with that, he has to make some money for his time of buying the part. But what gets me is that he basically charged be $200 for 10-20 minutes worth of work. My wife said he was at the house less way less than a half hour. I have done the work before myself and know I can do it in 10 minutes. So I'll give him the benefit of the doubt and say it is a 30 minute job. That means he made $200 for 30 minutes of work or $400 an hour.

I had figured it would be a $100 an hour roughly plus parts (with some markup) but $400/hr plus a 100% markup on parts seems extreme to me. What do you guys charge for this type of quick work?

Top answer

1 of 5

Northern Virginia 280ish all day.

2 of 5

Prices and labor rate are regional. That being said, my guess is that his labor charge is for an hour, not half hour. Not knowing which cartridge you have, but Delta having several different types, $65-80 isn't that unreasonable. Now if you want a quick breakdown of how he came up with that "book price" here it is. The van is a mini supply shop. Seriously, I have enough materials to complete 95% of the jobs I'm sent to. That a lot of upfront money, and some stuff doesn't get used for a long time. Heck, I'm still using the same piece of 1" copper pipe that I put on my van a year and a half ago. Add to that, the vehicle cost (purchase, maintenance, fuel, and insurance). Then you've got insurance for the company and health. You got his number somehow, apparently there is some sort of advertising. He's got to pay himself and his company. Eventually he's going to need new or better plumbing equipment. Take a sewer camera. 15 years ago it was a nice novelty. Finding a company with one was rare. Now? Customers tend to expect you to have one. Now if he's new outfit, well it's not like he has a large client book, so the chances of him making money are as good as an outfit that has been around for awhile. Honestly, I've seen more plumbers fail on their own then make it.

Quora

quora.com › What-is-the-average-cost-to-have-a-cartridge-replaced-in-a-shower-faucet

What is the average cost to have a cartridge replaced in a shower faucet? - Quora

Answer (1 of 20): If you old cartridge comes out, the cost is not bad. Unfortunately, old cartridges can be stubborn. Pullers that plumbers use often break old moen type cartridges because the brass has become one with the valve housing. Moen valves with a thermostatic balancing valve that is no...

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