Just got a bill from the plumber my contractor uses and I'm suffering from sticker shock. I live in Boston, and I have grown used to paying higher prices. As far as I can tell, I was charged about twice the going rate. Looking for advice/experience on what a reasonable charge would be because right now I'm feeling ripped off.

This was a gut kitchen remodel. The plumber billed me $1475 for hooking up the drain on the sink, installing a 3/4 hp Insinkerator garbage disposal, installing a single handle faucet with pull down sprayer, hooking up a Bosch dishwasher. In addition he charged another $250 to move the gas line from upper left to lower right for my new 30 inch GE slide in. That was the only thing that had to be moved. I purposely kept the same floor plan to keep costs down. The sink was already installed in the new cabinet and the old appliances were already hauled away. I purchased the sink, faucet, disposal and D/W myself.

Opinions, anyone? I don't have much experience with this.

Downtown Boston, no place to park, tickets every 30 minutes? Big city rates do include tickets.
Inspection? Waiting time, etc.

But it is high. Did you hire him yourself, and not get a quote, or did your contractor just send him in, or what? Tell him it's too much and you want to cut it in half - see what he says.

Did the plumber also have to make a trip out to remove/disconnect everything prior to starting the kitchen remodel? If so, you certainly need to factor this into the number, right?

Like Joypulv asked, were there plumbing and gas permits here? How about a rough and a final inspection?

As far as I can tell, factoring in everything I just presented and the fact that we always factor a couple tickets into most jobs in Boston, as well as the fact that the contractor expects to mark the plumber up here all sounds about in line (Boston area plumber).

It is always so easy to question things at the end of the job. I guess I am left wondering why there was no down payment and why you are left so surprised... didn't the contractor even discuss pricing?

Mark

How much did the rest of the remodel cost? I am betting you got a pretty hefty bill without the plumbers work? Why is it that plumbers should cost so much less than the rest of the work being done? Are you happy with the result? I know it sucks, but 1500 dollars in this day and age really does not go very far in any area for any work hired out. How much do you think a new bed set cost. How much is a new car or pickup. The price for the job in question really is not out of the ballpark in contrast to cost of other amenities. If you want safe drinking water with sanitary drain/vent conditions, you have to pay for the service.