Going rate for installing gas line

[hewood]

Hi gang - We're installing a gas fireplace in our living room. What's the approximate going rate for installing gas line? We're going from 1" main down to 3/4", and will need ~ 45 feet (~ 30' is a straight shot) ...it'll including breaking and threading the 1", a 1" to 3/4" reducer, a shut off, and 4 elbows.

[toolaholic]

I'd charge about $100 ,including materials.

[Plumbus]

Site conditions and local labor rates make your question unanswerable with any accuracy.

[jhplumbing]

$100.00 seems much to CHEAP here in Michigan

Your geographical location determins the going rate for the job!

[lovetheUSA]

Hi gang - We're installing a gas fireplace in our living room. What's the approximate going rate for installing gas line? We're going from 1" main down to 3/4", and will need ~ 45 feet (~ 30' is a straight shot) ...it'll including breaking and threading the 1", a 1" to 3/4" reducer, a shut off, and 4 elbows.

Site unseen, we could not give you a good estimate. Labor rates vary wildly. I would comment around here a good plumber is $100 to answer the phone. Right off the cuff, I don't see how you could get that job done under $500. Best bet is to call a couple of guys. They may not want to come and estimate, but they will give you their rates, and you either say "come and do it" or call someone else.

[hewood]

I'd charge about $100 ,including materials.

Maybe I can find a cheap plane ticket and hire you to do it! ;)

I'm not really sure what contractor labor rates are like around here...we're not in the most expensive area, but it's overly oppressed either. The guestimates from the fireplace stores were in the $250 range, but that was without an actual contractor looking at it. One places quoted $7/ft, so I'd guess something in the $100-$500 range should be expected...hopefully somewhere in the middle (or less!)

Thanks for the answers.

[NHMaster3015]

Hey Tool, I won't even crack my eyes open in the morning for a hundred bucks. ;)

[drtyhands]

I'd charge about $100 ,including materials.
I really need the work.I'll do it for fifty

[drtyhands]

Maybe I can find a cheap plane ticket and hire you to do it! ;)

I'm not really sure what contractor labor rates are like around here...we're not in the most expensive area, but it's overly oppressed either. The guestimates from the fireplace stores were in the $250 range, but that was without an actual contractor looking at it. One places quoted $7/ft, so I'd guess something in the $100-$500 range should be expected...hopefully somewhere in the middle (or less!)

Thanks for the answers.
They could gharge extra for cutting in a tee and Inspection pressure test.
Are you doing all the cut and patch?

[hewood]

For $50, I'll even include lunch!

I just got off the phone with the only guy who's looked at the job so far. He wants ~ $400 for ~ 50' of black pipe. He figured at least 3 hours. The pressure test is included, but there was no discussion of me doing any cut and patch, so I assume it's included. Hooking up th brass wall gas valve (required in this town) is part of the basic fireplace installation cost, which is another $400, and is inline with competitors.

At $400 for the gas line, now I'm thinking of just having him break into the existing line and install the tee....to save $100-$200 labor, I'm fairly sure I can run the rest up to the wall valve.

[NHMaster3015]

Fairly Sure?........sssssssssSSSS BOOM

[glkearns]

I'd charge about $100 ,including materials.

Hey Tool, with rates like that I'm gonna call you for ALL my gas work from now on. LOL

Greg

[plumberscrack]

For $50, I'll even include lunch!

I just got off the phone with the only guy who's looked at the job so far. He wants ~ $400 for ~ 50' of black pipe. He figured at least 3 hours. The pressure test is included, but there was no discussion of me doing any cut and patch, so I assume it's included. Hooking up th brass wall gas valve (required in this town) is part of the basic fireplace installation cost, which is another $400, and is inline with competitors.

At $400 for the gas line, now I'm thinking of just having him break into the existing line and install the tee....to save $100-$200 labor, I'm fairly sure I can run the rest up to the wall valve.

The cutting? maybe, but as for the patching...I wouldn't assume anything.

[westcoastplumber]

For $50, I'll even include lunch!

I just got off the phone with the only guy who's looked at the job so far. He wants ~ $400 for ~ 50' of black pipe. He figured at least 3 hours. The pressure test is included, but there was no discussion of me doing any cut and patch, so I assume it's included. Hooking up th brass wall gas valve (required in this town) is part of the basic fireplace installation cost, which is another $400, and is inline with competitors.

At $400 for the gas line, now I'm thinking of just having him break into the existing line and install the tee....to save $100-$200 labor, I'm fairly sure I can run the rest up to the wall valve.




How do you know "breaking into the existing line" is the proper way to do it? what if your existing system is already supplying the maximum BTU load?

Here is how I would handle the situation.

Pay a professional to come out and size your system, determine what you need to add the fireplace to your gas sytem, meaning he will probably have to size it.

then take that estimate and get 2 others.

Get a referall of a good plumber from your close network of friends so you know you can trust that he is skilled to size your system.

Pay me now or pay me later.....

Do it right the first time. $450 is not alot of $$

[toolaholic]

$100.00 seems much to CHEAP here in Michigan

Your geographical location determins the going rate for the job!

You obviously don't understand IRISH humor .

[toolaholic]

Hey Tool, I won't even crack my eyes open in the morning for a hundred bucks. ;)

Don't hang with many old Irishman ,do You

[toolaholic]

I really need the work.I'll do it for fifty

$49.99 Adam understands old Irishman !

[NHMaster3015]

I am an old Irishman :D

[toolaholic]

Hey Tool, with rates like that I'm gonna call you for ALL my gas work from now on. LOL

Greg

WHERE YOU BEEN SON?? Glad I woke You up. 15 years ago I charged $13 per ft.
for gas. ME BAD . Give Me a call

[toolaholic]

I am an old Irishman :D

You , Me and Dunbar could do standup. How about " This old KLAUS "
ANYBODY CAN RUN Gas, get Martha Stewards CD

[RealLivePlumber]

For $50, I'll even include lunch!

I just got off the phone with the only guy who's looked at the job so far. He wants ~ $400 for ~ 50' of black pipe. He figured at least 3 hours. The pressure test is included, but there was no discussion of me doing any cut and patch, so I assume it's included. Hooking up th brass wall gas valve (required in this town) is part of the basic fireplace installation cost, which is another $400, and is inline with competitors.

At $400 for the gas line, now I'm thinking of just having him break into the existing line and install the tee....to save $100-$200 labor, I'm fairly sure I can run the rest up to the wall valve.

Fairly sure? I can tell you that I would never partially install gas piping. Too much liability. Now my name is on the permit. Picture this-Homeowner disturbs existing piping, gas leaks, house blows up, people die.... But Mr. Inspector, I only installed the union and gas cock! Let a licensed professional do it!

[toolaholic]

Fairly sure? I can tell you that I would never partially install gas piping. Too much liability. Now my name is on the permit. Picture this-Homeowner disturbs existing piping, gas leaks, house blows up, people die.... But Mr. Inspector, I only installed the union and gas cock! Let a licensed professional do it!

You can Help , My brothers may add to the list. #1 remove all children and pets
#2 serve a good lunch. Pay promptly ,and a little gift Cert. will be remembered big time
when You need a good plumber!

[hewood]

Well, I'm half Irish....shouldn't I only pay half the going rate?

"Fairly sure? I can tell you that I would never partially install gas piping. Too much liability..."

Spoke to the contractor about my idea of running the rest of the pipe, and he had similar concerns. Looks like I'm just gonna have to pony up and pay the man.

Thanks for all the input.

[Devine Plumbing]

#3 Don't call me, especially not at 6 A.M to discuss my price or to tell me that ABC company will do it for $20 cheaper.

[shock1964]

heh I am willing to bet that the cost just for a gas permit to do the work you are gonna pay 50 to 100 dollars depending on where you are.

[toolaholic]

Not in S.F. WAY HIGHER!

[hewood]

Update - I ended up running 43 feet of black pipe myself, including 2 tees, 2 valves, 10 elbows, and one union. "Tinker Toys for big boys"! ;) Kind of a PITA, but it's done, is right, and the price was affordable. The permit was $40, the parts were ~ $125, and I paid the contractor $75 to check and leak test the line. There's now flame in our new fireplace! :)

Thanks to all for the input.

[anthropomancy]

Update - I ended up running 43 feet of black pipe myself, including 2 tees, 2 valves, 10 elbows, and one union. "Tinker Toys for big boys"! ;) Kind of a PITA, but it's done, is right, and the price was affordable. The permit was $40, the parts were ~ $125, and I paid the contractor $75 to check and leak test the line. There's now flame in our new fireplace! :)

Thanks to all for the input.


Good job brother. How did they pressure test the line?

Enjoy the new fireplace!

Best,
Joe

[drtyhands]

Congratulations hewood.
Cozy firestarter just in time for winter.

How much time can one actually look forward to putting into something like this?How does a homeowner find a kind plumber willing to help/explain.Did you rent the threader?

[MoJourneyman]

The lowes here will cut and thread the pipe for you if you bring them your cutsheet. Rather discouraging.

Congratulations hewood.
Cozy firestarter just in time for winter.

How much time can one actually look forward to putting into something like this?How does a homeowner find a kind plumber willing to help/explain.Did you rent the threader?

[drtyhands]

The lowes here will cut and thread the pipe for you if you bring them your cutsheet. Rather discouraging.
That can get expensive if a person has an intricate system.
One or two measurements off as much as 1/4" and he's out of the wall and bowing drywall.

[MoJourneyman]

yeah, you wouldn't want to try it with an intricate system, but with a quick run I have to imagine its appealing to the diy community

I use a 300 <.<

[hewood]

Thanks for the encouragement. No cutting involved...I bought a variety of parts right off the shelf from Lowes and HD (Lowes was out of unions :rolleyes:)...ended up with just a couple of short nipples leftover.

The line was checked for leaks with a sniffer of some sort....it seemed pretty sensitive. I was told by the dealer and the contractor that there's a pressure regulator going into the house that should keep everything within range for a typical residence. The town looked it over and issued a certificate of compliance, so hopefully we're good to go!

Now, onto the mantel, which I'm a bit more comfortable doing. :)

[hewood]

Sorry for the delay...been busy finishing up other things with the fireplace. Thanks for the encouragement. I bought the parts right off the shelf from Lowes and HD (Lowes was out of unions :rolleyes:)...ended up with just a couple of short nipples leftover.

The line was checked for leaks with a sniffer of some sort....it seemed pretty sensitive. I was told by the dealer and the contractor that there's a pressure regulator going into the house that should keep everything within range for a typical residence. The town looked it over and issued a certificate of compliance, so hopefully we're good to go!

Now, onto the mantel, which I'm a bit more comfortable doing. :)

[drtyhands]

This is my brother Hewood
And over there is my other brother Hewood.

[hewood]

This is my brother Hewood
And over there is my other brother Hewood.

http://www3.tivo.com/images/zap2it/programs/184384/p184384_ce_h1_aa.jpg

[toolaholic]

On Gas, no unions inside a home ,here! LR COUPLINGS

[DUNBAR PLUMBING]

Damn Tool! Reminding me of a job I have to do tuesday, not liking it.

9' up in the air, I wet myself on ladders. Would rather stay grounded at all times.

[NHMaster3015]

On Gas, no unions inside a home ,here! LR COUPLINGS

Even at the appliance? Must make changing out a gas valve quite a project

[PLUMBER RICK]

unions are legal at the fixture and outside. nothing inside/ under the building.

rick.

[toolaholic]

Even at the appliance? Must make changing out a gas valve quite a project

You know what I mean, wise guy