Parker and Son's Plumbing. Need Advice!?

Question

Recently my water main (that runs from my front yard into the house) burst; without thinking we called the nearest plumbing company and that's when we landed on Parker and Son's. When they came they'd estimated the work to be around 300$-400$ (which I guess is somewhat reasonable). But after a half an hour later and some grunt digging, our plumber told us that the price would be instead about 700$-800$ because he believed the pipes were deeper than expected, and as a result, he would need to come back the very next day with another plumber/technician at hand. The next day (being today), another plumber comes and tells us that the price of it has been once again hiked up to about 1200$ because with his experience and plumbing prowess he knows for a fact that the problem lies beneath the cement ground and that the only way to fix the pipes is to break cement grounds next to our house. What do you guys think?

Answer 1

I would call another plumber, or perhaps 2 others, and get additional estimates IN WRITING.

Answer 2

Sometimes the city will fix this problem for a more resonable price, but don't get your hope up either. I would suggest you call several plumbing firms and have them estimate in writing the cost of the job. As for this company, get it in writing as well before they do any more.

Answer 3

bogus!... Call your water company. It should be fixed for free

Answer 4

In most instances the city/utility is only responsible for the service line up to (not on) your property.

    You do realize that Parker and Son's could sue you for this "question". That would make the $130.00 you have paid them look like chicken feed.^