Plumbers in Minneapolis (real estate, homes, construction)

[Brinson]

Moved up here a couple years ago from Dallas. Basically relying on Google and Angie's list, but called a few plumbers and the prices seem high to me.

Most plumbers I have talked to so far charge about $125-$135 an hour.

This seem high to you guys? Any recommendations? I am in southeast Minneapolis near the university.

[BryaninMSP]

That's about par for the course. I have two I can highly recommend if you DM me, but they are both at or above that hourly rate.

[HiFi]

wow, I should take up plumbing as a hobby.

[Ghengis]

Originally Posted by HiFi

wow, I should take up plumbing as a hobby.

you couldn't pay me enough to do that job

[Minntoaz]

Yep that's what happens when not enough people want to do "dirty work" aka go into the trades anymore. Maybe little Johnny or Jane shouldn't of been so pressured to get the end-all be-all, four year degree, eh?

[Ghengis]

Originally Posted by Minntoaz

Yep that's what happens when not enough people want to do "dirty work" aka go into the trades anymore. Maybe little Johnny or Jane shouldn't of been so pressured to get the end-all be-all, four year degree, eh?

[Glenfield]

I hope people realize that while a plumber may charge $125 an hour they are earning less after they cover their overhead. Typical margins in the business are low. Industry averages are below 5% for plumbing and heating contractors though some a good deal higher. It depends on how what kind of work they do and how well they price jobs. They're also only charging the hourly rate for the time on the job, not travel time, time spent on paperwork, estimates, etc. It's a good way to make a living but no one's getting rich doing it.

[Brinson]

Originally Posted by Glenfield

I hope people realize that while a plumber may charge $125 an hour they are earning less after they cover their overhead. Typical margins in the business are low. Industry averages are below 5% for plumbing and heating contractors though some a good deal higher. It depends on how what kind of work they do and how well they price jobs. They're also only charging the hourly rate for the time on the job, not travel time, time spent on paperwork, estimates, etc. It's a good way to make a living but no one's getting rich doing it.

Of course. This is the case for most jobs. Virtually every job has overhead. I did a bit of research, and other parts of the country plumbers charge from $50 up to $150. I couldn't find any msp data though so I made this thread. I find it interesting we are near the top of the range given living expenses are lower than many other cities. It makes me wonder if there is an increased demand for some reason, maybe because of older homes on average.

[BryaninMSP]

Originally Posted by Brinson

Of course. This is the case for most jobs. Virtually every job has overhead. I did a bit of research, and other parts of the country plumbers charge from $50 up to $150. I couldn't find any msp data though so I made this thread. I find it interesting we are near the top of the range given living expenses are lower than many other cities. It makes me wonder if there is an increased demand for some reason, maybe because of older homes on average.

We're at the top of the range because we have an active construction industry and you're competing for their time.

Also, it should be noted that even though plumbers SOUND expensive on paper, the median take-home nationwide for plumbers is about $51,000/year. Most of them are self-employed and they're not making any money during the time they're driving from job to job, giving estimates, waiting for inspectors, doing paperwork, fixing their own mistakes (which they shouldn't be paid for), etc. It works the same as any self-employed position.

[Drewcifer]

In general, the Twin Cities have a high blue collar pay scale. It is why restaurants, mechanics, child care, haircuts, etc. tend to be expensive compared to much of the rest of the country. Real estate is cheap but labor is expensive.