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Putterac · Jan 15, 2009, 05:45 PM

I just updated my bathtub/shower fixtures from chrome to oil rubbed bronze. The problem is the drain cover. I have what looks to be a simple kind where the drain plug screws into the drain hole. It's the chrome piece inside the tub that I want changed, the pipe itself drains fine.

The plumber said I need a special tool, and if he does it he will charge me $277.00! How hard can it be? He already charged me $204.00 just to replace the spout where the water flows into the tub. (the original copper pipe was about 2 inches too short). It took him less than 10 minutes to do.

Thanks,

:eek:

afaroo · Jan 15, 2009, 05:56 PM

If he just replaced the spout and the nipple and chargd you $204.00 you been cheated I would not use the same plumber again, call some one else the tool is not that expensive, good luck.

John

mygirlsdad77 · Jan 15, 2009, 06:29 PM

I would say ouch, but I wasn't there to actually see what he had to do. If it really only took ten minutes, (which I doubt) then I'm not sure why you got charged so much. I will tell you that the price of rubbed oil bronze is very expensive. If he supplied the spout, it may have cost you three to four times the cost of a chrome spout. Now add travel time from shop to your house and back to shop. Now add the actuall time he was at your house, not just the time it took to make repairs. Ten minute repair, twenty minutes talking to you to make sure he knew what you wanted, ten minutes hauling in and out tools. Five minutes for him to take a potty break.lol

You have to realize that you are being charged from the time they start heading toward your house, until the time they get back to their shop or to another job. Plus materials. I know it seems like a lot of money, but, really, how important is rubbed oil bronze?? Apparently its worth it.

ballengerb1 · Jan 15, 2009, 07:11 PM

The tool is only about $10 at Ace, Menards or Lowe's and most folks can do it themselves. The first thing I would do is tell your friends the name of that "plumber." At $204 the spout should have been included and then some change. SUPERIOR TOOL 06020 TUB DRAIN WRENCH

Putterac · Jan 15, 2009, 10:40 PM

Hi everyone, thank you for your answers, I'm new to this. I looked at my bill again and he put a 1/2 inch coupler to the copper pipe and extended it out about 2 inches so that the spout that I already bought would fit. He was at my house for 10 minutes and the charge was actually $277.78 and he quoted me a price of $204.00 if I wanted to have him install the oil rubbed bronze drain (which I had already purchased). I was ripped off and should've done it myself. I will by the tool and never call that plumber (Bonney Plumbing in Roseville, CA) again.

afaroo · Jan 15, 2009, 11:53 PM

Now that the spout was bought by you and he charged you $204 for the nipple replacement it is extremely high and it is a rip off, I am not sure what would Mygirlsdad say about it, Thanks.

John

speedball1 · Jan 16, 2009, 06:50 AM

Can you say RIP OFF?? Dump the plumber, He's robbing you!

The plumber said I need a special tool, and if he does it he will charge me $277.00!

This " special tool" can be purchased for less then $10. It's called a tub Wrench or Tub Tool,(see images). This tool fits the cross bars on the tub draion and is a five minute job to replace. All you need is the tub wrench and a small can of plumbers putty. I can walk you through the replacement for nothing. Let's see! $277.00 or nothing? Hmmmm! Let me hear from you. Tom

mygirlsdad77 · Jan 16, 2009, 03:40 PM

Originally Posted by afaroo

Now that the spout was bought by you and he charged you $204 for the nipple replacement it is extremely high and it is a rip off, I am not sure what would Mygirlsdad say about it, Thanks.

John

Yep, you got screwed. I was a little worried about original charge, not knowing whether he supplied spout. Even with spout, it seemed a little high. But I'm not there to know exactly what took place. If indeed he was only there ten minutes, and only used a coupling and short piece of copper, and did a some soldering, then even travel time and such should not have come to this outragious bill(unless you live like an hour out of town.) Try a new plumber, or better yet, just let us help you out for free.

That's what I would say.