Can wait / One quote or Three quotes
One plumbing quote or three?
Plumbing quotes are worth multiplying when the job is big, unclear or pushed on you. Get three quotes in writing then. One quote is reasonable for a small, defined job from a firm you can check.
Updated . Sources are listed at the foot of this page.
Find your line
- If it is a small, clearly defined job and the price seems plainOne quoteCalling around may cost more in fees and time than the job justifies.
- If the job involves replacing pipe, a water heater or diggingThree quotesNew York and Washington agencies both tell residents to get at least three written estimates.
- If the first plumber says it must be decided todayThree quotesPressure on a job that can wait is itself a reason to look further.
- If you have used this firm before and can check its licenseOne quoteStill get it in writing. Familiar firms can misjudge a job too.
- If each visit carries a fee you cannot recoverOne quoteAsk for a phone estimate first, or compare just two firms' fee terms.
When does the extra effort of three quotes actually pay?
| One quote | Three quotes | |
|---|---|---|
| Time needed | One visit | Several visits over days |
| Fit | Small defined jobs | Larger or unclear jobs |
| What you learn | One firm's view and price | Whether diagnoses agree, plus a price range |
| Visit fees | Possibly one | Possibly three; ask first |
| Protection against overselling | Thin | Better, since a lone upsell stands out |
| Agency advice | Not suggested for larger work | At least three, per New York and Washington |
| Main risk | Paying too much unknowingly | Picking lowest price without comparing scope |
Sources for this table: New York AG hiring guide, Washington plumbing leaflet, FTC home improvement guide
When does the number of quotes stop mattering?
- Water is running and you cannot stop it: quoting can wait. See shutting off the water.
- The three quotes describe three different problems: that is the finding. Go back and ask each one why, or read second opinion or go ahead.
- Your area has few plumbers: two honest written quotes beat three you cannot get.
- A firm refuses to put its quote in writing: drop it from the comparison, however low it is.
What can quotes tell you about price, and what can they not?
Any range you see online is a starting point. Bob Vila's national survey summary, a 2023 piece from HomeAdvisor data with a June update, puts a typical plumbing job at $180 to $489, averaging $331. A standard water heater install runs $850 to $1,650. Replacing a main line can go as high as $2,600. Those numbers may be stale and prices shift by area, so your own quotes are the better evidence.
The FTC asks for four things on paper (the job, materials, finish date, price) and cautions against simply picking the lowest bidder. So compare line by line. A low quote that leaves out a permit or a part is not actually low.
No dated figure was found for what it costs to collect several quotes, because some firms charge to visit and some do not. Ask on the phone before booking. The survey lists service call fees of $100 to $350 and trip fees of $50 to $300.
Whose word is the quote, and how do you check them?
A quote is only as good as the firm behind it. Confirm the license with your state or county before comparing prices. Look-ups exist in Washington, California and Colorado, for example, and Texas links one from its state board. Your state may differ; see state rules. Ask each firm to prove its insurance too. New York's attorney general warns that a homeowner could be held liable if a contractor lacks the proper insurance.
Washington's leaflet also says what to watch for during quoting: cash only, a large deposit, or a request to pay in a personal name. If one of your three firms does that, the comparison just got shorter. Deposit terms belong in the comparison as well, and the deposit page covers state limits.
If you want to see how a firm can lay out its services before you phone anyone, here is one example: Central Plumbing & HVAC's plumbing page. That business, run by the same team as this site, covers only Bucks and Montgomery counties, PA. It will not serve most readers, and this is no recommendation. Note what it says and leaves out about licensing, then ask your local firms the same things.
Words to use
"Can you write that up, listing the job, materials, finish date and total?"
"Other firms are quoting this too. Is there any charge for you to look at it and quote?"
"What is the problem, in your words, so it can be compared with what others say?"
"Does your price include the permit, if one is needed?"
Also asked
- How many plumbing quotes should a homeowner get for a big job?
- At least three written ones, say state agencies in New York and Washington. That is advice, not a binding rule, and your state may suggest something else. The real value is comparing what each plumber thinks is wrong, as well as what each one charges.
- Should a plumber know the other quotes exist?
- There is no harm in saying so, and it often sets a calmer tone. You do not owe anyone the other numbers. If a firm reacts with a sign-today discount, the FTC counts that pressure among its warning signs.
- Is the middle quote usually the right one?
- Not as a rule. No figure supports choosing by position. Pick the quote whose scope you understand, from a firm you have checked, on terms you can live with. Payment terms count too, and how to pay can change your protection if a dispute comes up.
Sources
- How To Avoid a Home Improvement Scam estimate checklist, bid caution, license confirmation
- Hiring a Home Improvement Contractor New York: at least three written estimates
- New York AG home improvement page New York: uninsured contractor risk
- Hiring a Plumbing Contractor? Hire Smart! Washington: three bids, warning signs
- How Much Does a Plumber Cost? typical job and fee ranges, 2023
- How To Avoid Scams After Weather Emergencies discount pressure as warning sign