Being a homeowner means making lots of difficult choices, one of which is what to do when you are faced with an unforeseen repair and need to hire a professional to come to your home. The most important customer concern is the question of COST, followed closely by a company’s reputation, warranties, and licensing and insurance.
In every business, there are many different factors that contribute to the customer’s cost. Hopefully by breaking them down we can help you decide which options will work best for your home in the future. We are always available to talk over pricing and quotes with our customers to ensure everyone is on the same page before the job begins!
What is factored into the cost of a job?
Labor Costs
A significant portion of the expense comes from the cost of labor. Plumbing requires skilled professionals who have training and certification, and their expertise means a higher wage. There are plenty of horror stories about projects gone off the rails because someone lied about their skillset, so we make sure we have the best plumbers available on staff.
Complexity
Plumbing systems can be intricate and challenging to work on, especially in older buildings or when the layout is unconventional/hodge-podge. The complexity of the job increases the time and expertise required, which drives up the cost to the customer.
Materials
Quality plumbing materials aren’t cheap. From pipes and fittings to fixtures and valves, the cost of materials can add up quickly, especially if your job requires specialized or high-quality materials. Most homeowners don’t realize there can be a big difference in the quality of materials you find in a local supply house (like ProSource Plumbing Supply or Ferguson Plumbing Supply here in Spartanburg) versus a big box store or a discount online retailer. For example, some large brands have certain collections only available at the big box stores (like cheaper faucets made with plastic fittings that break sooner and cannot be rebuilt but fit that smaller price point) while their other collections go to the supply houses (the heavier duty faucets made with more expensive brass fittings that can be rebuilt). Since we prefer the supply houses’s experienced staff and great customer service, plus the well stocked shelves, we usually opt for ProSource or Ferguson, but that does sometimes come with a higher price.
Tools & Equipment
We often think of simple plumbing hand tools on the job (like the wrench in our logo!), but today’s plumbers need a variety of specialized tools and equipment to perform their work efficiently and effectively. These tools can be very expensive to purchase and maintain, and the cost is often factored into the overall price of plumbing services.
Overhead
Like any other business, plumbing companies have overhead costs, like our mortgage, utilities, insurance, and administrative expenses. These costs need to be covered by the fees charged for services. Insurance in particular can be a very costly expense, especially since plumbing is considered a risky trade for a carrier. Legitimate licensed plumbers are required to carry insurance, which in our case includes commercial auto, general liability and workman’s comp insurance.
Water can be an extremely destructive force in anyone’s home, and plumbing mistakes can lead to major damage and necessary repairs. While plumbing may seem expensive upfront, investing in professional plumbing services can ultimately save you money in the long term by making sure the job is done correctly the first time.