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December 4, 2007
Wildly different estimates on sewer work--WTF?
So I've been getting estimates to have some crap jet-blasted out of my sewer line, and I've gotten three dollar figures, all from reputable companies: $1200, $950, and my favorite, $450. All I can figure is that the first two saw me using an iPhone and a 17-inch MacBook Pro and smelled $$. Anybody had their line blasted, and whadja pay? Thanks.
Comments
Good point about iPhone and MacBook. Put that stuff away when you get estimates!
Posted by: guest at December 4, 2007 12:47 PM
Tell the $1200 guy that you got a bid for $950, but you'd really like to use him, he'll probably drop his price. Never go for the lowest bidder.
Posted by: guest at December 4, 2007 12:59 PM
Never go for the lowest bidder? I dunno--I saw this same company doing what sure looked to be a perfectly professional job last week installing a water main just down the block, and while I can't attest that there are no leaks, they repaired the street and bluestone sidewalks perfectly.
Posted by: Rehab at December 4, 2007 1:08 PM
Ask the $450 guys for references from jobs they did at least 6 months ago and call and check on their work.
Posted by: guest at December 4, 2007 1:22 PM
There's always a reason they are low, b/c they probably suck or are going to charge you over $1200 in change orders or it's going to take the 4 weeks to do a 1 week job. It's a recipe for disaster, dude.
Posted by: guest at December 4, 2007 1:26 PM
Forgive the sarcastic tone, but I can almost certainly assure you that the guy who came to estimate your sewer cleaning was not impressed with your "iPhone and a 17-inch MacBook Pro".
I would look for another reason.
The drain cleaning business attracts all types as it is not a trade that requires a license and there is not much recourse to pursue when a job goes wrong.
These contractors rely on their reputation and those who run a responsive business pay the costs of doing so.
That may very well be where the discrepancy lies.
Posted by: Master Plvmber at December 4, 2007 1:48 PM
Thanks, all, particularly Master Plumber--I was hoping you'd chime in. Maybe I should be specific--the low bid is from Pentagon. Anybody have experience with them? And does $450 sound crazy low for jetting a sewer line and running the sewer-cam?
Posted by: Rehab at December 4, 2007 4:06 PM
Are you sure the $450 is for the water-jet-blasting? The other numbers sound about right, and the lowest sounds like they would just bring in a heavy-duty rotor. Those water-jet machines are expensive . . .
We went the cheaper, rotor, route, had them come back three times to try and complete the fix, and then eventually spent $950 and had it done correctly one time.
Posted by: Heatherie at December 4, 2007 4:07 PM
It sounds crazy-low to me. We were around $1150 for both.
If you use them, and it works out fine, let us know.
Posted by: Heatherie at December 4, 2007 4:09 PM
Master Plvmber is very wise, knows the trades, and probably just gave you advice that's worth MORE than the difference between the low and and medium bids.
I would heed his advice, but in case you need more:
You get what you pay for.
Posted by: guest at December 4, 2007 4:21 PM
WTF are coming from???
This is Bklyn anyone could have a F Lat top and a cell.
This is absurd.
Posted by: guest at December 4, 2007 10:15 PM
iphones and macbooks suck. he must think you're an idiot, not that you are rich.
Posted by: guest at December 4, 2007 11:17 PM
We used Sessa Plumbing. Can't recommend them more highly. Around $1000 Very difficult job trying to remove a nerf ball from the main house sewer line. Don't ask. Used a camera to figure out what was there and then "passed" the obstruction. Solved many years of unexplained flooding.
Posted by: guest at December 5, 2007 9:24 AM
Nerf ball? Oh, that's good. I bet that kid got a talking-to.
We're coming to the conclusion, like most posters here, that the low bid is too good to be true. Thanks for the input.
Meanwhile, 11:17, you PC guys are adorable. Enjoying Vista, are you?
:)
Posted by: Rehab at December 5, 2007 10:46 AM
We had recurring problems with our line and previous owner did not fix the problem correctly. If I recall (it was at least a year ago) we paid $750 to have the camera diagnostic, which found tree roots growing into the sewer line, AND the high powered water treatment. The guy comes back every 6 months at $75 per visit to clean the line out again, and have not had any problems since. Econo Sewer (Ed Fitzgerald) 718-338-8484.
Posted by: guest at December 5, 2007 12:52 PM
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