Plumbing

Kitchen & Bathroom 

California

Do Plumbers [[in CITY]] Guarantee Their Work?

As a general rule, you can expect plumbers to guarantee their work. But it’s important to understand what that guarantee really means.

Plumbers’ guarantees normally cover labor -- only. That means, for example, that if a plumbing company [[in CITY]] installs your new dishwasher or soaker tub, they can usually be held responsible for any deficiencies in the workmanship, but not in the product.

What happens if the appliance or fixture itself breaks down? That’s a different story. Equipmentand parts tend to be warrantied by the maker, so you should turn to the manufacturing company if there’s a problem in that area. 

The standard guarantee offered by plumbers is one year on the labor involved in a new installation. (Boiler installation is often guaranteed for as long as three years.) If repairs are guaranteed, it’s usually for a shorter period – 30 days, for example.

First of all, check before you hire a plumber that he has up-to-date licensing and insurance in your state.

Then, don’t just take your plumber’s word about that guarantee. Ask him to give you a signed contract or invoice which includes details of the guarantee terms and conditions and spells out all exclusions or limitations.

In addition, if the plumber ordered any products or major supplies for your project, make sure you get a copy of the manufacturer’s warranty. 

Do Plumbers Still Use Copper Pipes [[in CITY]]?

Today’s plumbers often still work with copper pipes, which have been used in residential plumbing in the USA since the 1930s.

Although plastic piping (such as PVC,uPVC, ABS, or PEX) is increasingly popular these days, copper plumbing pipes offer many advantages – and a few disadvantages, as well. Find out more.

New copper pipes will cost an average of $2.00-$4.00 per linear foot, according to their diameter. Compare that with PVC pipes at $.50-$1.00, or PEX at $.50-$2.00.

PipesCopper pipes have a long life expectancy, as much as fifty years or possibly even more, unless they are affected by pinhole leaks.

A savvy plumber [[in CITY]] will have the knowhow to connect your existing copper pipes to new plastic piping. This is a good method of replacing a leaky, damaged pipe or installing an additional water supply line. 

Do Plumbers [[in CITY]] Charge By The Hour Or Job?

The question of whether plumbers [[in CITY]] charge by the hour or the job is a little complicated. The answer tends to vary depending on the individual plumber and on the job you need done. For that reason, when you contact a plumber for help in your home, it’s important to find out up front how he (or his company) will calculate the fee.

 is based on the total hours that the plumber spends working at your home. However, the plumber’s “meter” will often start running with a service call fee or a minimum charge even before the actual work begins – and you can expect to pay extra for a plumbing emergency after hours or on the weekend. Travel time may also be factored into your total bill (especially if you live in an out-of-the-way area).

 covers the entire cost of a specific project, such as replacing your bathtub or installing a dishwasher. It will usually be presented to you in the form of an estimate; you might want to get estimates from several plumbers and compare. For larger projects, make sure that you and the plumber you hire both sign a contract which outlines in detail what his fee will comprise.

Whichever method your plumber uses to calculate the charge to you, you should always clarify in advance the cost of all necessary parts and supplies, as well as his labor.

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