You don’t have to be an expert to know that plumbing repairs can get expensive. The average cost of a home plumbing repair can run anywhere from $300 to $1,000, depending on the severity of the issue. And, unfortunately, many insurance policies don’t cover plumbing repairs. That’s why it’s important to know what payment options are available before calling a plumber. Different contractors have different payment policies, so it’s worth doing your research before calling a plumber to make sure you understand the different options so you can find one that works best for your situation.

Cash Only

The most common type of payment for plumbing repairs is cash only. This means the contractor expects you to pay for the repair with cash. And don’t expect them to take a check even if you’re willing to write a personal check. Many contractors will do small repairs for cash, but they won’t take a check for more than a couple hundred dollars. There are several reasons why contractors won’t accept checks if they’re willing to accept cash. For one, they don’t get paid interest on their money. They also don’t have the ability to write off the cost of the repairs on their taxes, which means they have to pay taxes on their profits as well. This can make it difficult to make a profit, especially if the repairs are more expensive than the contractor expects.

Credit Card

Credit card payments for plumbing repairs are becoming more and more common. The main advantage of this type of payment is that the contractor gets paid immediately, unlike cash only repairs, which can take several weeks to get paid. The other advantage of a credit card payment is that you can get the contractor to put a security deposit on the repairs. If you don’t pay the credit card bill on time, the contractor can use the security deposit to pay for the repairs. This is a great option if you have a history of paying your bills on time and don’t want to risk the contractor not being able to get the repairs done.

Loan

A loan is a great option for people who don’t have the cash to pay for plumbing repairs. The contractor will ask you to put up a collateral, which is something of value that you own and the contractor can take if you don’t pay the loan back. For example, if you put up your car as collateral, the contractor can take the car if you don’t pay the loan back. This is another great option for people who don’t have the cash to pay for repairs, but have something that they can use as collateral.

Co-signer

A co-signer is someone who signs a contract with the contractor and agrees to pay for the repairs if the person who signed the contract doesn’t pay the contractor. This is a good option if you have a friend or family member who needs a plumber and doesn’t have the cash to pay for repairs. You can use your credit to pay for the repairs, but you have to pay the contractor if the person who signed the contract doesn’t pay the plumber.

Down Payment

A down payment is a lump sum that you pay up front to cover the majority of the cost of repairs. This is a good option if you’re on a budget and can’t afford to pay for the repairs in full. The contractor will keep the rest of the money as a form of payment until the repairs are done. This is a great option if you’re on a budget, but you can’t afford to pay the entire cost of the repairs in cash.

Conclusion

Plumbing repairs are necessary for any home, but not everyone has the money to pay for all of the repairs. That’s why it’s important to know what payment options are available before calling a plumber. Different contractors have different payment policies, so it’s worth doing your research before calling a plumber to make sure you understand the different options so you can find one that works best for your situation.

Frequently Asked Question

When researching plumbing companies, use the word reviews or customer comments to find their review profile. Google reviews are found in the maps profile of each company. In there you can easily see what customers think of the service they got from each contractor.

Typical hourly rates for plumbers cost between $45 and $200. A journeyperson charges about $70 to $120 per hour, but they are only licensed to handle the most common household repairs. Complex problems or installations will require the help of a master plumber.
Most plumbers charge an average of $70 to $120 per hour before trip fees and materials. Rates can range as high as $200 or as low as $45.
Open ALL hot water sink fixtures, hot water bathtub or shower fixtures. Next, open all other hot water fixtures, such as in the kitchens, wet bars, etc. Run all of these hot water fixtures for 15 minutes, then shut the water off. This is also a good time to flush the hot water tank to remove sediment.
If your drain is clogged with ice cubes — then yes, boiling water can unclog a drain. But if your drain is clogged with the things that normally clog drains — grease, oil, dirt, hair, etc. — then no, boiling water isn't likely to help.
A smelly sink is usually caused by bacteria build up from grease, fat and food which have been flushed down the drain. These will then get stuck in the pipes causing the familiar rotten egg smell.
Cross-linked polyethylene, or PEX, is the new standard when it comes to repiping your house. Since it is made of plastic it is a more cost-effective alternative to copper. Pex is easier to install and lighter in weight, reducing shipping costs too.
A complete repipe can take anywhere from a few days up to a week. Smaller homes can be repiped in as little as two days, while large homes with multiple bathrooms can take much longer. However, it's important to note that you won't necessarily be unable to use your plumbing during that entire time.
If just a pipe or a section of your copper plumbing is leaking, you could just replace it with PEX piping. But if you have an old copper plumbing system that leaks frequently in different areas of your home, you may want to consider a whole-house repipe
Turn off the water supply to the leaking pipes and clean the area around the hole to be patched. Use a metal file to smooth any sharp edges that might cut through the patch. Apply the patch and repair clamp so it evenly overlaps the damaged section of pipe. Tighten the clamps to seal the leak.