Posted by k on December 26, 2001 at 13:09:09:
I had this done in a house I fixed up. It cost me about $1200 but it had to be done. I got a certified plumber who did it for me on his weekend hours all on a Saturday. It is a bother but it’s one of those things that goes with the job. This is definitley something that I look at now though when I buy houses
Replacing a main water line ? - Posted by Anthony John
Posted by Anthony John on December 26, 2001 at 13:01:25:
Hi, I have run across a home that appears to need a new main water line (low water pressure) I can’t get anyone out to look at it for at least a couple of weeks. My question is , has anyone here done this lately? the line runs about 40 feet from the house to the street. Any comments? Is it too much bother? Any help appreciated thanks, Anthony
Re: Replacing a main water line ? - Posted by Ronald * Starr(in No CA)
Posted by Ronald * Starr(in No CA) on December 26, 2001 at 20:17:25:
Anthony John------------
You got some good information. You might also inquire of the plumbers or pipe replacement people what the cost would be to install it if you had somebody else do the digging and replacing the dirt after the job.
Then, if it pays, hire a low-cost labor to dig up the existing line and later fill in the trench. Or you might do the filling-in yourself. Think of it as health bonus from investing in real estate: good exercise. Less work shoving dirt into a hole than digging it up and out.
Good InvestingRon Starr**
Re: Replacing a main water line ? - Posted by Anne-ND
Posted by Anne-ND on December 26, 2001 at 19:03:33:
We just paid $3K to have this done on a duplex that we’re rehabbing (this cost included plumbing work done to the foundation as well). The only problem we have is that the guy who poured the new floor drove his truck over the new line (in spite of all the yellow caution tape), thus destroying the plumber’s work.
Some days you just have to laugh.
Anne
Tap fees - Posted by JD
Posted by JD on December 26, 2001 at 18:24:45:
Your not likely to be charged a tap fee. But check with the appropriate utility or city service to be sure.
Re: Replacing a main water line ? - Posted by KC Questions
Posted by KC Questions on December 26, 2001 at 14:48:16:
I just replaced the water line on an 8 unit apartment building. The distance was 40 feet and I had a 1 inch copper line installed. It cost me $1500. The first few quotes I got was between $2600 and $3000 and they were normal plumbers. The people I chose specialize in replacing lines, so be sure to check around to find the best price.
Re: Replacing a main water line ? - Posted by Mary
Posted by Mary on December 26, 2001 at 13:54:02:
I just got an estimate to replace one on a duplex. Estimate was also 1200.00 for me.
Re: Replacing a main water line ? - Posted by Ron (MD)
Posted by Ron (MD) on December 26, 2001 at 13:52:05:
Anthony,
I’ve done this on a handful of houses. It’s fairly common here in Baltimore. Sometimes, I’ll buy a house where previous owners have replaced all the interior plumbing in the house, yet the pressure is lousy. Replacing the line from the house to the street is the only alternative.
I deal in rowhomes and the distance is shorter than 40’, I’d guess about 30’ is more typical.
The cost of the repair varies greatly. Roto-Rooter gets about $2,500-$3,000 for this job. A more competitive plumber (who deals with investors) is around $1,500. I get it done for about $650, but the guy does a lot of work for me (and I don’t think he knows how low he is compared to others).
When I look at fixers, the water is almost always turned off. I never know what the water pressure will be like. I have to replace the outside line on about 10-15% of the houses I do. Since I can get it done for only $650, I don’t price it into every repair estimate…I just know I’ll be surprised once in awhile.
I wouldn’t be nervous about…it’s a dirty job, but fairly routine and you (hopefully) won’t be the one to do it. You can probably call a few plumbers and ask over the phone what they’d charge to dig it up and run a new line, then factor this into your repair estimate.
If you don’t do the repair, your buyer (or his/her home inspector) will almost certainly raise it as an issue. It’s better to do it up front.
Ron Guy