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By Bob Baker Cross connection control • Gas Fitting • Plumbing • • 0 Comments

Why is Plumbing so expensive?

Why is Plumbing is Expensive?

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Plumbers are expensive because it is a highly specialized trade requiring thousands of hours to master. Additionally, they make house calls meaning they spend time and money investing in vehicles, tools, equipment and gas to bring to you. They also carry insurance and have other overhead expenses. Labor shortages in the field also contribute to premium pricing.

How do I find inexpensive plumbers?

A Dirty White Boy doing Dirty Things

Finding inexpensive plumbers is often a mistake. If you have a cousin or friend in the trade, they may work cheaply for you. However, it’s a highly specialized skill developed over years of training and experience. Their fees are a reflection of their skill, overhead and demand.

Commercial vs. Residential Pros


Commercial plumbers average $100 per hour. Residential plumbers average $80 per hour. Commercial contractors rarely do residential work and vice versa. Building codes, equipment and skill sets vary between the two types.

Service call fees range from $100 to $350 and usually include the first hour of work. Service calls cover a wide range of common services including clogged drains, leaking pipes and fixture repair.

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Trip or Call Out Fees

Trip fees range anywhere from $50 to $300 depending on your location and the distance they need to travel. Unlike a service call, this fee is in addition to labor charges.

Minimum fees and trip charges help offset the time and materials of travelling to and from job sites. Plumbers spend much of their time travelling to a jobsite and a supply house to pick up materials for your project.

Most offer a flat fee within a certain radius of their shop with additional mileage pricing past that.
Alternately, some skip the trip charge and simply charge a 1- or 2-hour minimum. So, if they spend only 15 minutes working, you’ll pay the minimum amount of time.

By Bob Baker Backflow testing • Cross connection control • • • • 0 Comments

Calgary Cross Connection testing

BACKFLOW AND CROSS CONNECTION TESTING

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Cross connection or backflow testing is a critical part of a building’s infrastructure. With annual testing of these devices a requirement for all commercial properties, coupled with the need for certified testers and equipment, their importance cannot be overstated.In Calgary, some homes and businesses have cross connection devices at their properties. This device prevents water that has been used for washing, heating and cooling from flowing into our drinking water. The City of Calgary oversees annual testing and compliance of these devices in order to protect Calgary’s drinking water supply from contamination.

I have a cross connection testing letter, Now what???

If you received a letter, you need to have your cross connection device tested by a certified tester who is registered with the City of Calgary.

After testing is completed, the tester should submit the report to our office in 30 days. Check with your tester to make sure the report was filed with us and that you have received a copy of the test report.

To learn more about cross connection devices, home owner and business responsibilities, and certifications and renewals for cross connection testers, please visit the resources below:

For more information on cross connection guidelines, see:

If you have other questions for the program team, please contact 311 or submit an online service request.

 

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