Project Budgeting

[Wineaux]

I plan to replace about 150 feet of drain line along the outside perimeter of my house to the main sewer. At the same time, I'd be replacing the hot and cold for both the kitchen and front bath, which would require about 150 feet for each. Under consideration is the main feed from the meter into the house.

Location is Houston. Soil is clay and gumbo with no significant obstructions. The trees had to be removed due to storm damage. There is one large pine tree on my fence line, neighbor's side (not my tree). I don't know if its roots are a problem, but when I had the lines checked with a camera about 4 years ago, there were no intrusions and no obvious leaks or problems.

What should I budget for such a job?
What kind of materials would you recommend?
How do I find a reliable and effective plumber?
Is there a best time of year to do such a job?

Most under slab work would be for the bathroom sink and toilet, which are in-line and wouldn't be more than 5 feet of tunneling or slab cutting. The kitchen plumbing (sink and dishwasher) are also on an exterior wall. The interior sheet rock and some of the flooring will also be replaced at this time, so at least partial free access to the walls will be available.

 

[phishfood]

#1 I wouldn't give even a ballpark figure for such a job without spending some time looking at it and talking face to face.

#2 I would use Schedule 40 PVC for the sewer, and either copper or PEX for the water.

#3 That can be a tough question to answer. Definitely you will want to talk to them when they come out to look at the job, see what kind of time frame they anticipate, ask for references. Don't use someone who tries to make it sound as though everything will be easy and simple, you want someone who has the experience to foresee problems and the integrity to point them out to you.

#4 Considering the clay, you don't want to perform the exterior work in the rainy season.

 

[Wineaux]

I appreciate the reply. I was thinking PEX for the feeds, and the only option I was aware of for the drain was schedule 40. Thank you for that confirmation.

I only need a budgeting number right now. I don't want to waste some plumber's time for a visit just so I have a ballpark figure. I don't plan to do this job for at least a year, but as I always pay cash, I need to know what I should set aside. Even a ball park figure such as "X to Y is what you'll need."

This is not a significantly hard job. The attic and walls will have good access, and there should be no obstructions in the ground. Of course I'd have to pay for any deviations. For my purposes, assume nothing "unusual" in the attic, mostly free access through the walls, no more than 10 feet of tunnel to the fixtures under my slab.

One change. The plumbing for the feeds is 150 total... no more than 75 feet per hot and cold lines. If it makes it easier, I wouldn't mind PEX for the back bathroom, too, which would be an additional 75 feet per line to the 3 fixture back bath.

Like I said, this is only budgetary at this point. It is quite likely I'll be moving a wall or two when this is done as well as replacing the roof. The house is from the 1950's, but it's in a booming neighborhood, so $100K is my basic budget for everything, and I'm trying to determine where I'll need to spend that money.

 

[journeyman]

You might want to look at trenchless sewer pipe 150 feet is a long ways. Keep in mind you have to have a clean out every 100 feet per code. Make sure who ever does the work pulls a permit so you know it is done right

 

[Wineaux]

Thank you also for your reply, J-man. I have a clean out already near the main sewer, one at the slab, and one about half-way in between. I wasn't aware these were for code purposes, but it's good to know that my last plumber did it right.

I looked up trenchless pipe, but part of the new pipe must be trenched, as it goes under the slab, and I'd prefer to run it along the perimeter, which will require some new runs. Only (maybe) 70-100 feet will be in the old pipe. If I've already paid for a trencher to come to site, I see no reason not to run the entire pipe in a new trench. It also gives me the chance to inspect the line before the trench is back-filled. Additionally, it gives me the chance to stabilize the soil before laying the pipe. I've found that proper preparation usually pays for itself in the long run.

I would never do work like this without a permit, nor would I "do it myself," as I'm not a plumber and didn't play one on TV.

How would you feel as a professional if you arrive on site, and I've already dug the trench, tunneled under the house to the bathroom fixtures, and basically only left the piping and hook up for you to do? I figure that I'm paying only for the plumber's plumbing expertise, and not for his digging ability, but the digging probably is a large part of the area where profit is made. I don't want to break anyone's rice bowl, but I also don't want to pay plumber's wages for hole digging and trenching.

Still no one willing to give me a ball park figure for this work?