If a professional plumber has to replace a diverter, including the removal of tiles in the shower, how much should it cost?

Depends on where you live, union or non union and prevailing wages. Get 3 estimates.

I agree and might mention most plumbers will not do the tile work. You could do the tile or hire a tile person. We also need to know which diverter you want, prices vary from brand to brand

Usually, all valves are made so they can be serviced without breaking tiles. So if you want to repair it, it should be accessible without any damage to the wall.

Of course, this statement doesn't apply if you don't like the present type of the diverter and if are looking to replace the entire body.

What's wrong with your diverter ? Why do you want to replace it ?

Back to you. Milo

This was an emergency situation. The diverter was over 20 years old, and of course behind the tiles. I pretty much figured the plumber wouldn't do the tile work, and that there wasn't enough room for him to reach the part any other way. He replaced a diverter that is now no longer available with an American Standard one.
He is a licensed plumber in NJ. He was efficient, kind and thorough. So what would a fair price be for about 2 1/2 hours. Thanks guys.

I think you should not pay more than $300.00 for his labor. Milo

What is his hourly labor rate? How far did he have to travel to and from the job (how long would it take round trip?). How much do they charge per mile for travel? What kind of fitting did he use, what material for water lines did he use, did he supply the new valve? Etc, etc, etc. Just to many variables to give a thumbs up or down on his price. By the way, what was the price for job completed?

This was a big deal from a service provider who gives ratings. The deal was $129.00 for two hours of work repairing a leak. He was not obligated to do the tile work, but he did buy the diverter and the parts,($95.00) which was included in his bill. He told us that most plumbers would charge $700 for this job, then he said he would return the $129, from his estimate of $600, and eventually charged us $430, plus the $95.00. Did we get taken? He lives 20 minutes from our home, and worked the two hours; no more or less. HELP!

Carole70: You are not telling us your location. Prices vary widely from place to place. Also, if your installer was licensed, bonded, insured and carries Worker's Compensation Insurance, has shop and advertises on billboards throughout the town - than your bill will include these overhead costs as well. As far as location goes: if you live on Manhattan or City of Los Angeles then you got heck of a deal for $525.00. If you live in heartland Kansas and the installer was one of those "I-can-do-it-all" people and works out of his '68 Oldsmobile 4-door sedan - than he probably charged you too much. Hope that helps. Back to you. Milo

I live in Northern NJ, in Bergen County. What I am asking is this: Isn't he supposed to stick to the deal that I made with the service advertiser $129.00 for two hours work?

I am not certain who the service provider was, can you tell us more about the provider?

The contract was set up through Angie's List. She advertised a "Big Deal" for this plumber. The deal was $129.00 for two hours of work fixing a leak.

"Fixing a leak " is not replacing a diverter. Angies List has been under pressure from some groups for their business practices. They just reported a very large business loss.

Didn't know this about Angie's List. If the leak is generated by the diverter, doesn't that count. After all, he took the two hours required in the contract, and we paid for all parts.