Why are plumbers so expensive?

Question

I hired a plumber for a simple job, and he wasn't much use. In fact, I got better advice by doing my own research. Despite that, I was charged over $200 for 1/2 hours work (T&M). This is crazy. What's so special about plumbing? It used to be the only dummies who couldn't handle university went into plumbing. What makes these guys worth $100-$200 an hour?

Answer 1

It's a skilled trade like a mechanic or a/c tech.

Answer 2

It is a skilled job.  UK plumbers have to comply to regulations and if they are central heating installers as well, (which most are) they have to be CORGI registered.  It takes them time to learn their trade and although they may only be at your house for half an hour it may have taken them half an hour from their last job.  They have to run their vehicle and go to purchase supplies (again using gas for their vehicle) and have to cover themselves for holiday and sick pay.  When you think of all that what they charge does not seem too bad.  Having said that $200 for half an hour's work is excessive, that equates to £100 in Sterling at present exchange rate and we would expect to pay £200 per day for a plumber (although they work a shortish day).  The other point to consider is that there is a shortage of skilled plumbers so it is supply and demand.

Answer 3

Because there is no law governing how much or litle a person can charge for there services

In fact i beleive they have a minimum  LIke attorneys  i think they charge you if you call them  for a fast question

Anyway  Plumbers are so expensive  because basically we have to have there services  

They are so expensive  because more people like you and me dont stand up and say ENOUGH ALREADY

We the community  will set  a fair  service and service call standard in all things   No more 100.oo tennis shoes

or 10.00 popcorn at the movies  

or out landish enternet prices    ect

  

Answer 4

Van insurance, van payment,van maintenance, van fuel,Workman's comp.,health insurance,liability insurance,advertising cost,rent,payroll,uniforms,tools,compute... stock,training,accounting,telephones,tra... dues,heat,electricity, these are some not all of the cost just to drive to your home and hear why do you charge sooooo much! I am an A/C contractor and will charge you more! Remember the pen is better than the sword and writes a mean invoice with insulted.

Answer 5

It's the market system, and supply and demand.  Think of it this way: if you could do it yourself, you would, right?  But since you either cannot, or won't, or just don't have time, you pay.  Oh, do you pay!

Answer 6

Reason 1) Most of them belong to a union with union rules          

Reason 2) Some are not part of a union but like the set standards of the unions.

Reason 3) Most of the time their elbow deep in your sh_t.

Answer 7

plumbers like all the trades takes years of training that most university dummies couldnt handle and thousands of dollars in tools and equipment that need to be maintained and replaced when worn, there are also thousands of pages of building codes, industry standards, continuing education on new products and techniques, advertising insurance, and the list goes on. You dont mention here what the problem was and how you fixed it but many of us tradesmen make a living fixing things that some university dummy screwed up with a few minutes research on a DIY website or some advice given here on yahoo answers. We build your homes and business and we build your universities so you can have a safe shelter when you study the mating rituals of some rodent or insect.

Answer 8

Well what is your job?

Or better yet, what would you charge me to put your hand, elbow deep into a 4 inch pipe stopped up with used tampons, q tips and human waste?

Answer 9

when you call for plumber

than can set any rate they want

when you are bidding for a plumber

that's a different thing

plumbers make much more on service calls than new new install

it's far more profitable since it's usually T & M, since they will say there is no possible way to know what i am running into and adjust my "quote" accordingly

hence why most service plumber don't quote anything but hourly rate and minimum service fee trip charge

plumbing is not that hard

there are codes for it

but you can learn it and then charge and easily clear 100 to 120 k a year doing service work

in fact the most thing people complain about is not the price

but generally thew low level or service

and the mess sometimes they leave behind

there is a plumbing service outfit ( that's all they do it service calls ) that has done very well on neatness and on time guarantee with his plumbers.. he even makes sure they smell nice and have no plumber's crack showing

if you ever seen his nice shiny big trucks.. you would under stand.. and he is busy, even in these down times

he know people will pay pretty much any price to get their water  and sewer systems running proper

the same pretty much holds true for electrical

Answer 10

As long as people are grossed out by touching dook-y,,,,, plumbers are going to be expensive.

Did you know you can get a plumbing certificate at many community colleges in only 12 months?  

If you can't beat them,,,,,,

Answer 11

OK lets say I give you a rock bottom price  but I cut myself and get septic shock from sewage in an open wound who pays for the health coverage you or meand have you priced health insurance for an indivisduallately?

Scenario 2 I break a pipe and flood your house   you wont make me pay for the damage right I gave you a good deal.

Another point is we not only have to know Plumbing, OSHA and Building codes but Health codes as well

Go buy me all the tools the insurance the vehicle and teach me for 12 years then I will fix any problem you have for $10 an hour