It pays to shop around

**Contrary Housewife** · 07-29-2011, 05:35 PM

A few days ago the back yard spigot came off in my hand when I went to shut the hose off. Argh!

DH tried to repair it but just could not get the solder to take. So I called a plumber to save him the frustration.

First guy out wants to sell me a fancy freeze-proof spigot to the tune of $1100.

Because, you know, just plain copper pipes can freeze up and crack.... and he just didn't believe me when I said this house was 40 years old and we'd never had a problem, even through some of the coldest weather on record for this town.

It was a mere $700 to put a new piece of pipe in and attach the faucet outside.

I said "no way" and sent him on his way. Nice kid, but the company he works for.... They're going to get some internet feedback for sure.

So I call plumber #2. Their charge? $175. And I'm looking at a brand new pipe and faucet.

**McD** · 07-29-2011, 06:10 PM

$175 is a lot better! Wonder what made the other company so much higher? Inflated labor prices, items used? Crazy. I'm sure you know this but many homes have an inside shut off valve for hose spigots. Would be helpful in the event of an emergency.

**Debbie-cat** · 07-29-2011, 06:26 PM

What a difference in price!!! Glad you checked around.

**Spirit Deer** · 07-29-2011, 08:31 PM

Respectfully, consider YouTube before you call someone. I've found all kinds of how-tos with well-done, clear videos showing how to many DIY projects. It saves a lot of money.

Good you shopped around though. That's a big price difference. $175 doesn't sound all that bad anymore for someone to come out and repair something.

**Contrary Housewife** · 07-30-2011, 01:26 AM

SpiritDeer, yes, I always check to see if it is something I can fix myself. I took plumbing in a high school tech class. DH tried for 3 days to get the danged faucet back on and it just *would not* solder. I don't know what the deal was, he tried several different solders and it should have worked and wasn't. He's done plumbing before, installed a water filter under the sink just a few months ago. But this faucet was giving him fits, so I called "a pro". I was at the point where I was happy to throw money at it just to see DH not angry and frustrated with the project.

Youtube is a great resource, I can't believe how much helpful stuff is out there among the crap.

**Spirit Deer** · 07-30-2011, 07:48 PM

Yeah, sometimes you reach a point where you just want it FIXED and who cares about the money? BTDT.

I had a pipe once that wouldn't take solder, and I ended up calling a plumber. This was years and years and YEARS ago back when I had just started tinkering in the DIY world and figured I was doing something wrong. The plumber came and couldn't get the pipe to take solder either. He ended up removing the uncooperative pipe and splicing in a new piece, which caused no problems. I think the guy felt sorry for me because he didn't charge me anything.

I hadn't thought about that incident in decades....