I have never had to hire a plumber before during the 5 decades I have been married. I always did the work myself. Due to an injury and my age I tried to find one for a corrosion leak I had in copper pipe, since I didn't feel up to doing it myself. All the local handyman plumbers I knew or my friends knew had either retired or moved. I called John Solberg Plumbing for help. I was told they were busy that day, but would contact me that evening after their job was finished. No one called. The next day I was told someone would call me when they finished their big job they were on. They did not call until late. I was told I would be first priority the next morning and they would call me between 8 and 8:30 AM.
I finally got a call around 9:15AM or so. They asked directions to my home. When they finally arrived, they were two very pleasant men who knew their job. I supplied all the materials. After they finished, I asked the lead plumber to give me an estimate on a drain pipe job for my kitchen sink. It is plastic and about 2 an 1/2 sections of 1 1/2 inch pipe using maybe 5 or 6 fittings in an open basement ceiling. The quote was for "almost a whole day" and around $800 for the labor! I hadn't ask their hourly rate when I called about the leak. It turned out to be $110 per hour and my bill for fixing the leak was $458 for labor and taxes!! I don't think their travel time and work exceeded 3 hours, but I didn't write the time down.At least 15 minutes of their time was for the estimate. I suspect I can do the kitchen sink drain in about 2 to 2 1/2 hours plus the cost of the pipe and fittings. That would be around $40 to $50. Since they estimated nearly a full day and at $800, I doubt I will ever call them again at those prices. Despite being a good plumber, that is just way too high for me to ever consider them again. read more