The job was to install a surround wall and bathtub and the new fixtures for it and fix the drain under the tub. The quote was $1,000 to do this. I was to buy the surround wall and tub (Lasco Fiberglass, direct to stud) and the drain and the fixtures, shower head, fixtures, which I did. We got to thinking we might save some money by tearing out the old tile wall (3 sides) around the tub for him before he got there. He did agree to take $125 off, leaving $875 for the install. The bathroom was all clean when he got here, walls removed down to the studs. He removed the old tub, installed the new plumbing lines and fixtures (shower head and faucet and water controls) and the surround wall. He had a little trouble so my husband helped. They had to cut some more of the sheetrock on the wall next to the tub, to fit the surround wall in. He had to get a bag of quick set cement to put under the tub to level it.(the only thing he had to buy)He had to put in some new copper tubing but had that on the truck. So, he put the walls and tub and fixtures in. He started at 8 am in the morning and left the house at 2 in the afternoon, so worked for 6 hours. I paid him $875.00 as agreed. My husband got to thinking that that seemed like a lot to pay (it averaged out to about $136 an hour for labor) and he told him it was my fault (wife) because I had asked him to quote the job, not by the hour. So I basically paid $136 an hour for this job. He did good work and was nice enough but it sure seems like he could have charged less than what he did. SO, make sure you get the quote BY THE HOUR, not the job. The average plumber gets about $70-$75 an hour, so he pretty much got double the going rate.
Pros: Friendly, nice person
Cons: Could have given me a break
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