jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

A while back, I mentioned a very expensive local plumber. There was just another post about him. A woman got an estimate of $1,478, which she thought was "a bit high." She found another plumber to do the job for $250. She didn't say what the work entailed. Now, get this - the pricey plumber is JSP, and the reasonable one is JSJ. If I was JSJ, I'd change the name of my business.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

dustie Loc: Nose to the grindstone

Maybe, if you were a potential customer in need of a plumber, check to be sure it's not the same proprietor advertising under two business names, driving business to himself by having people run from his outrageous estimates to embrace his lower one.

I know, call me untrusting.

I ran into a situation like that with automobile dealerships in one town. I later found out...two dealerships, same parent company, but odd differences in prices, huge differences in customer service.

But it could potentially catch out-of-town, out-of-the-area folk in need of vehicle work/parts/service, which was my broken vehicle situation.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

One is a big company with lots of trucks. The other is a single plumber. I don't mean he isn't married - he works alone. Although, I suspect he uses a "plumber's helper" occasionally.

rcarol

Just out of curiosity, I scanned a short list of topics that you have posted over the years. It wasn't apparent to me that you have ever posted a topic directly relevant to photography. The closest that I saw was your post related to scanners. So, do you take pictures?

PAR4DCR Loc: A Sunny Place

Same with electricians. Was quoted $1,800.00 by one and $265.00 by another electrician for the same job.

Don

Morry Loc: Palm Springs, CA

Always get 3 estimates or more is a good thing to follow. I have saved enormous amounts of money in recent years by doing this in the price of a new car and surprisingly in dentistry. It's a great way to "keep them honest".

Indi Loc: L. I., NY, Palm Beach Cty when it's cold.

Sometimes contractors will give an exorbitant price for a small job they don’t want to bother with.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

When I needed work on my well, I learned that they charge to give the estimate. I paid one guy $250 for the estimate, but how many other estimates would I want to get.

mr spock Loc: Fairfield CT

Good question
However we all love Jerry for bringing up important questions/situations in life.

sippyjug104 Loc: Missouri

Cost of Commercial Plumbing Contractors in New York, New York
$138.93 per hour (plus parts and materials) (Hourly Rates Range: $133.84 - $144.02).

By the way, just because someone has a truck and a pipe wrench, does not make them a licensed plumber.

A Journeyman Plumber must be registered with the DOB and work under the supervision of a licensed Master Plumber. A plumber who works alone must be a Journeyman. An Apprentice must work under the supervision of a Journeyman.

New York Journeyman Plumber Registration Requirements:

Be at least 18 years old.

Be able to read and write the English language.

Be fit to perform the work authorized by the license.

Have good moral character so as not to adversely affect your fitness to perform the duties and responsibilities of a Master Plumber.

Have a progressive understanding, proficiency and competence in the plumbing or fire suppression piping trade, including:

A working familiarity with the Code and technical standards and the ability to apply the Code requirements correctly

The application of basic plumbing/fire suppression theory and using trade skills on the job site

A working knowledge of the tools of the trade and the ability to properly use them

An ability to draft simple diagrams and interpret drawings for the plumbing/fire suppression work in which the applicant is engaging

In addition, all applicants must meet one of the following levels of experience:

Have at least five years of full-time experience performing plumbing under the direct and continuing supervision of a licensed Master Plumber with at least one year of experience in New York.

Have satisfactorily completed a New York State registered training program with one year of experience

Hiring a plumber is also about "What happens if something goes wrong with their work?" Are they licensed and do they have enough insurance to cover the damage caused? A home flooded with sewage can result in toxic mold and may even cause the home to be uninhabitable.

BebuLamar

Yes he does. I saw quite a few pictures that he took.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

If only you knew all the daily crises I don't post. 😲

rcarol

If that is the case, I really don’t want to walk in your shoes.

mr spock Loc: Fairfield CT

I used to own a house in the Catskills. Had no idea I was surrounded by such drama.