Re: OT: Today's Darwin award goes to...

On Fri, 21 Sep 2007 23:17:56 GMT, Short Wave Sportfishing
<email@xxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:

On Fri, 21 Sep 2007 23:10:09 GMT, "JoeSpareBedroom"
<dishborealis@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:


I got three quotes for a plumbing job from non-union guys. (Yes, I asked).
They ranged from $800 to $1700 for the same job. Finally, I found out a
friend's husband was a plumber. Union guy. Did the job for $250.00. Told him
not to worry about the dust from cutting out the old iron pipe and cutting
the PVC to size. Told him I'd vacuum it up after he left. He said "No-I do
that. It's figured into the price". The work was done perfectly in 90
minutes. The other guys said it would take the better part of a day. He
laughed at that, and their price quotes, and said "Lots of amateurs out
there".

No offense, but I don't believe it.

I do. Some of the cost difference might have to do with the "friend"
part, but most is the time part.
Whether he was union or not might not have anything to do with it.
One of my kids can do just about any mechanical car repair in about
1/4 the time of shop hourly book rate.
Some is mechanical skill, and some energy and strength.
Worked as a helper for a union plumber once - on side jobs - who was
a GD dynamo, and good too. He was unbelievable, and I admit he
wore me out trying to keep up with him. And he was doing most of the
jackhammering, hauling, and "strength" work.
Had a similar moonlighter do my new electrical service for half the
price the "major" contractors wanted. I wasn't happy when he pulled
up in a Mercedes to do the estimate, but I soon found that he worked
like hell for that Mercedes.

--Vic
.

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