We would like to put an offer on a house built in the 50's. It has cast iron plumbing and we possibly would like to change that to PVC throughout the house before remodeling. It is on a slab and a brick home. It is 2600 sq.ft. with 3 bathrooms. Is there anyway I can get a rough estimate on what changing the plumbing would cost?

To give you, even a ballpark estimate, we would have to be on the site to make a material list. We would then have to estimate the labor involved and have knowledge of the labor force available. Union or non union plumbers will make a big difference in the bottom line. Make you a deal. You fly us up t6here and put us up in a first class hotel and we'll be glad to give you a estimate. Did I forget to mention the 5 star restaurants and after work nightclubs? Your best bet would be to get at least 3 estimates and pick the best one. Regards, Tom

I could not tell you a price, but why do you want to do this? Cast iron can last a long time. It might be better to replace some parts rather than the whole system. It is easy to spice PVC into cast iron lines where needed.

Tom can even tell you how to do it without a site visit. :-)

We heard that it could cause big problems in the future from rusting, etc. We thought if we could change it before we renovated, then we would. The house needs to be almost completely redone anyway.

We heard that it could cause big problems in the future from rusting, ect. We thought if we could change it before we renovated, then we would. The house needs to be almost completely redone anyway.

You have a 2600 square foot home with three bathrooms and a kitchen plus a laundry all on a slab? Have you any idea of the cost and hassle involved in jackhammering up the slab to remove and replace the cast iron under the slab? I live in a home that was built in 1954 that has cast iron plumbing. I've never had a problem with my drainage. Don't get me wrong. I prefer plastic over cast iron any day of the week and if you plan on ripping up the slab, tearing out the walls and starting over with a shell, ( that's what they do out on our barrier island water front property that prohibits rebuilding) then I say, By all means convert to PVC. Otherwise I consider this a unnecessary expense. Just my opinion. Regards, Tom

Thanks for all your help!