carolinetyler
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posted on November 4, 2005 08:07:21 AM
Anyone have any idea how much it should cost to put a new faucet and handles in to a baththub? I just had a plumber here, and need two faucets replaced. I have both the faucets in the right size to be installed. This idiot just tried to charge me a flat rate of $850 PER FAUCET!!!!
He showed me that was his flat rate price in his book. I told him to get the f*** out immediately. He tried to insist I pay him a $55 dispatch fee right then and there. I told him he could take me to small claims court for that one, that I would not be scammed by that. He was on the verge of becoming beligerant and walking towards me when he remembered the dog, one in front of him, 2 more behind door #1. He hastily left.
How much should this cost, or how many hours would it take a plumber? Any ideas?
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 Caroline
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Linda_K
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posted on November 4, 2005 08:40:31 AM
Wow....he does sound pretty high. Usually plumbers charge by the hour. Did you ask when you called how much they charge an hour?
Now if you hadn't already purchased the 'knobs/fixtures' that price would/could sound about right....as some fixtures are super pricey.
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colin
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posted on November 4, 2005 08:49:47 AM
Find a handyman in your area. Should cost under a hundred (faucet not included) go to Lowes or local hardware for the faucets.
That damn near outrageous.
Where do you live?
Amen,
Reverend Colin
http://www.reverendcolin.com
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carolinetyler
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posted on November 4, 2005 09:08:32 AM
I stupidly didn't ask and assumed an hourly charge would be anywhere from $75-$95/hour, this company did not mention they flat rate each task, obviously they didn't for a reason.
We're on the Eastern Shore of Maryland about 45 miles from DC and Baltimore. Homes are mostly Victorian or older around here with tons of people renovating, and new construction has gone crazy.
I have both faucets, handles, etc. I bought them online - one is for a clawfoot tub in which the plumbing is all exposed. We would try to do it ourselves, even though we are notoriously not handy - but the previous owners had rigged up so many things in this house, I thought it best to bring in a pro.
I like the handyman idea, Colin - thanks for that suggestion - I'll give that a try as well.
I think I'm in the wrong business here, perhaps plumbing is my true calling at that rate!
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Caroline
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colin
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posted on November 4, 2005 09:14:19 AM
Ask for references, and talk to neighbors.
Ask at Lowes and your local hardware store as to how’s good and reasonable. Most of these places have bulletin boards and will refer.
They will usually be truthful because they want your business again.
Amen,
Reverend Colin
http://www.reverendcolin.com
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Linda_K
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posted on November 4, 2005 09:17:31 AM
Caroline - Another thing I'd like to make you aware of, or at least have you question, is do these plumbing changes require you obtain a permit...according to your local building laws?
Colin's suggestion is great, if they don't. But many, many localities require permits be obtained on any building changes...ie: electrical, plumbing, structure, etc.
Just protect yourself please. Might present a problem IF you ever decide to sell your home too.
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colin
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posted on November 4, 2005 09:23:00 AM
In most locals, minor repairs are not considered to need a permit. I've never heard of any place that would require a permit for this type repair.
Can anyone out there comment on their area.
Amen,
Reverend Colin
http://www.reverendcolin.com
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parklane64
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posted on November 4, 2005 09:24:01 AM
Yeah, the anal burg I live in requires a permit to put in a ceiling fan. Uh huh, everybody runs down and gets one of those. 
ETA: We have horror stories of inspectors walking through a building to go inspect a pool installation and finding THOUSANDS of dollars worth of violations on the way. ALWAYS provide the inspector with an outside direct route to the inspection point.
[ edited by parklane64 on Nov 4, 2005 09:27 AM ]
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maggiemuggins
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posted on November 4, 2005 09:29:22 AM
Caroline..hand your husband the wrench and tell him to change the faucet.. it's that easy!
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Linda_K
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posted on November 4, 2005 09:29:51 AM
parklane - I don't feel it's anal to mention what has caused a problem for me and my son in the past.
We made several changes inside the house...and 22 years later, when we went to sell, had to obtain permits. No too big of a deal some might think...but over the years building codes had changed...new requirements invoked and the changes we were forced to make were pretty expensive.
So...just wanted to warn others....to prevent any problems they might not be aware of. 
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parklane64
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posted on November 4, 2005 12:38:43 PM
Linda, I was referring to my home town, Bubbaville. I call it that because our mayor is Alan Autry. Our governor is the Governator, and our Chief of Police is a confessed (and repented) child molester. Don't ask the Chief about the Lt. that committed suicide just a little ways from the Chief's house, it was pure coincidence.
(Pssssst, the city just tried to bribe a police brutality victim $10,000 to release them from liability, but they did nothing wrong.)
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dblfugger9
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posted on November 4, 2005 12:49:17 PM
Caroline, you know I think there's a country song in that somewhere, and with that special borderline Maryland twang to it: Tell me mister how much does it cost us, to replace our leaky faucets...this aint the shores of gitchie-goomey, but without indoor plumbing its'a sure feeling gloomy...and I aint got no where to wash my bloomies.....
rofl!!
- Okay, I think somebody slipped me a mickey or something. I am going straight to the pentagon about this! Heads are gonna roll
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colin
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posted on November 4, 2005 01:03:18 PM
Dbl, Needs a little something but a nice start.
Amen,
Reverend Colin
http://www.reverendcolin.com
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dblfugger9
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posted on November 4, 2005 01:07:24 PM
Colin! Dont encourage me here!! Do you know I am a very serious cookie?
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Helenjw
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posted on November 4, 2005 01:30:39 PM
LOL, Dbl...
You're on a roll,headed in the right direction. keep going.
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dblfugger9
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posted on November 4, 2005 01:34:04 PM
Helen, you know I always noticed the Marylanders have the oddest accent. Its not quite southern, no where near northern, but then every once in awhile ya catch that clip of a drawl in there on certain words.
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Helenjw
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posted on November 4, 2005 02:10:04 PM
Dbl, I've lived in Mississippi, New York, New Jersey and finally here. From those points north and south the Maryland twang is not as obvious to me. But you are probably right.
I've saved your description of Easton...
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carolinetyler
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posted on November 4, 2005 02:20:28 PM
Too funny, Dbl - I think someone did slip you something!
No permit needed in this area, luckily - otherwise I'd be down there getting one every day! I went in and got one when we put up our fence, they looked surprised that I was even requesting one - meanwhile, on the other side of the bridge, Annapolis area - if you cut a tree limb without a permit you could get in big trouble!
I did do a little research on it though and bought this faucet because it has to be one inch above the rim of the tub - apparently this is to prevent water from going back in to the faucet and getting mixed in with drinking water - which makes no sense to me either.
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Caroline
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Helenjw
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posted on November 4, 2005 02:44:41 PM
I can't help with this problem. I only know that the fellow with the biggest yacht in our marina was a plumber!
[ edited by Helenjw on Nov 4, 2005 05:30 PM ]
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colin
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posted on November 4, 2005 03:04:43 PM
"I only know that the fellow with the biggest yacht in our marina was a plummer!"
Helen, I've never thought of you as an Elitist before.
I'm amazed and overwelmed and astonished and startled and (you get the picture)and also very proud your coming over to the Right.
Amen,
Reverend Colin
http://www.reverendcolin.com
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Helenjw
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posted on November 4, 2005 03:37:41 PM
"Helen, I've never thought of you as an Elitist before."
It's the plumber who is an Elitist colin. He's got the yacht and I've just got a little dingy. Those $850 faucet jobs raise his status to elite!
And furthermore, he didn't go to the best business school.
sp.ed.
[ edited by Helenjw on Nov 4, 2005 05:31 PM ]
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profe51
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posted on November 4, 2005 05:24:34 PM
Who pays plumbers????
____________________________________________
Habla siempre que debas y calla siempre que puedas....
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Helenjw
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posted on November 4, 2005 06:15:22 PM
Sometimes that's a good question.
One thing for sure though...It pays to be a plumber!
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classicrock000
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posted on November 4, 2005 06:26:34 PM
Who pays plumbers????
we do in N.Y......we have bathrooms up here.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Beauty is only a light switch away
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maggiemuggins
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posted on November 4, 2005 06:31:03 PM
Real men know how to take care of the plumbing!! Just like Colin said Real men drink beer out of cans or bottles.
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bigpeepa
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posted on November 4, 2005 06:35:17 PM
I don't think there are many Handymen in Miss Tyler's star studded neighborhood. LOL
My Democrat Father did stuff like that for his neighbors for free. But this is the "Me World" today. Caroline pay your money and take your beating or do the job yourself. LOL.
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colin
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posted on November 4, 2005 08:03:54 PM
Missyturd, You should be more like your father and take care of the people around you.
Maybe tomorrow I'll take a Picture of me with just my tool belt (and work boots of course) and post it here.
Consider me your handyman.
Amen,
Reverend Colin
http://www.reverendcolin.com
[ edited by colin on Nov 4, 2005 08:04 PM ]
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fenix03
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posted on November 4, 2005 09:10:39 PM
Helen - I always considered Maryland and Virginia to have very similar accents. I don't think that the pronunciation is so different from the rest of the south, it's just that there is much less drawl and a lot more speed. I lost my accent pretty quick when I left the area but when I get mad I sound like Scarlett O'Hara on meth. 
Caroline - shoot the guy that tried to charge you $850 and take Classics suggestion. Call "Hire a Husband"! regarding faucets - they are considered cosmetic changes. There is no code that applies to them so there is no need for a permit.
~~~ • ~~~ • ~~~ • ~~~ • ~~~
An intelligent deaf-mute is better than an ignorant person who can speak.
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LtRay
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posted on November 4, 2005 10:36:07 PM
Funny you should ask. I just had this done during the summer. I could have done it myself, but one of the fittings was rusted tight.
I was feeling lazy when my garbage disposal went out, so I called the plumber. Only took him about 35 minutes to change out the disposal, so I asked if he worked by the hour or by the job. His reply, hourly.
Needless to say, I had him change out the bathtub faucets and repair a few spigots that needed new washers. Grand total for 2 hours, including parts, $213. Well worth it considering I might not have gotten around to those jobs for the next year or two.
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toasted36
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posted on November 4, 2005 11:22:52 PM
850.00 each !! Holy Sheep Chit Batman !! We have friends in each department thank goodness so if something breaks they come fix it for a dinner with us at Golden Corral or Applebees. If we were close by my husband would have came and did it for about 50.00. I'd look on your local want ads for someone looking for side jobs. They will want to be paid in cash so they don't have to claim the income but hey going to the bank for a little cash is better than 1700.00...I would have sicked the dogs on the guy ,what a thief !!
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