Plumbing and Southwest Airlines?

[rev02a]

I have been lurking on this boards for about a year and now I come with an issue.

About a week ago, the kitchen sink backed up. When the plumber arrived, he stated that the sink's sewage pipe has rusted out and collapsed. The entire (finished) basement smells like the inside of my garbage disposal.

The plumber needs to rip out dry wall, tear up carpet, and jackhammer up concrete to reach the pipe and replace it... to the tune of $9,800. While my insurance is going to cut me a check to fix the basement, they will not do so until after the work is complete.

My question is: should I divide the cost between two credit cards (one through my insurance and Southwest Airlines) or just ALL on Southwest.

Both have ridiculous interest rates and I have no timeline for the payback check from my insurance company. Any suggestions are welcome and I thank you for your thoughts...

 

[HUNYPOOH77]

Wow, that sounds high...my hubby is a plumber.

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

I don't know if that's a high price but it's always prudent to get a 2nd opinion/estimate. You will either: A. get a better price B. feel more satisfied with the price you were quoted.

 

[DizMe]

What kind of guidelines does the insurance company give you? Do you have to supply estimates for approval before the work begins? Some insurance companies ask for more than one estimate, or that used to be true. I think you would want to make sure they will cover the repair for the cost estimated by your contractor and get a better idea from the insurance company what kind of timeline they have for reimbursement. I don't think I've ever had to pay out of pocket for a homeowner's expense--my insurance company pays it directly and has a certain way you have to proceed with it. What does your policy say?

I agree with the PPs that it might be a wise idea to get a second estimate. That amount seems awfully high.

 

[tvguy]

I had water damage, took out the kitchen floor. Allstate came, did an estimate, wrote a check on the spot, and gave me a list of 3 contractors who would fix it for that price.

 

[nhmommy]

Many reputable companies only need 50% up front then the rest paid on completion or even in 30 days. A good plumber and contractor may be able to run your credit and give you credit for the full amount for 30 days then you could put it on the card and have another 30 ish and hopefully you would get your check by then you could also look for a 0% card to put it all on.

 

[zoemurr]

I have been lurking on this boards for about a year and now I come with an issue.

About a week ago, the kitchen sink backed up. When the plumber arrived, he stated that the sink's sewage pipe has rusted out and collapsed. The entire (finished) basement smells like the inside of my garbage disposal.

The plumber needs to rip out dry wall, tear up carpet, and jackhammer up concrete to reach the pipe and replace it... to the tune of $9,800. While my insurance is going to cut me a check to fix the basement, they will not do so until after the work is complete.

My question is: should I divide the cost between two credit cards (one through my insurance and Southwest Airlines) or just ALL on Southwest.

Both have ridiculous interest rates and I have no timeline for the payback check from my insurance company. Any suggestions are welcome and I thank you for your thoughts...

Does that price include re-patching everything and putting in new carpet?

 

[Marionnette]

I have been lurking on this boards for about a year and now I come with an issue.

About a week ago, the kitchen sink backed up. When the plumber arrived, he stated that the sink's sewage pipe has rusted out and collapsed. The entire (finished) basement smells like the inside of my garbage disposal.

The plumber needs to rip out dry wall, tear up carpet, and jackhammer up concrete to reach the pipe and replace it... to the tune of $9,800. While my insurance is going to cut me a check to fix the basement, they will not do so until after the work is complete.

My question is: should I divide the cost between two credit cards (one through my insurance and Southwest Airlines) or just ALL on Southwest.

Both have ridiculous interest rates and I have no timeline for the payback check from my insurance company. Any suggestions are welcome and I thank you for your thoughts...

I can see it costing that much since they have to break up concrete in order to reach the pipes. That kind of job is very labor intensive. However, I would still get more than one estimate for the job.

As to putting it on credit cards, I wouldn't do it unless I could pay it off in the next billing cycle. Perhaps your bank or credit union has home improvement or home equity loans that you can apply for? The interest rate would be so much lower than the credit cards.

 

[rev02a]

Thank you all! It sounds like I need to do some more research!

 

[Minnesota!]

That price sounds incredibly high!!

We just had a ton of work done - started as a simple "come snake my drain" call, and over a week later, I was able to use my shower again. We had all the pipes in the bathroom redone, the main drilled into, ceilings torn down, etc. It cost a total of just under $500. He said he could redo the entire house for $2500. That includes drain work in the laundry room which would entail drilling into concrete.

I would look at a few more estimates before giving anyone your business.

And, I would put it all on one card. Whichever has lowest interest rate.

 

[bankgirl05]

That price sounds incredibly high!!

We just had a ton of work done - started as a simple "come snake my drain" call, and over a week later, I was able to use my shower again. We had all the pipes in the bathroom redone, the main drilled into, ceilings torn down, etc. It cost a total of just under $500. He said he could redo the entire house for $2500. That includes drain work in the laundry room which would entail drilling into concrete.

I would look at a few more estimates before giving anyone your business.

And, I would put it all on one card. Whichever has lowest interest rate.

Wow!!! you got lucky!! Not sure where you are, but that is REALLY cheap, and my husband is a Plumber also!!! I do alot of the paperwork, and there is no way he could re-plumb an entire house for that! That wouldn't even cover costs and materals around here. Mine is a very in-demand plumber also, because he is one of themost reasonable around!!! Crazy!!!

Op, I would definately get 2-3 estimates, written to compare, because one may quote you a price verbally, and it may be the cheapest, but they may leave you with a gaping hole in your concrete that you will have to pay someone else to repair. I would also talk to your Ins. Co. again as well, They may agree to pay the contractor directly, cutting out the need to use your credit cards at all. Most contractors don't have a problem with getting paid by the insurance, as long as the Insurance accepts the estimate it is usually a done deal.

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

Ask your insurance company for referrals for plumbers. We did that when we need to replace our roof. They gave a few names.

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

Wow!!! you got lucky!! Not sure where you are, but that is REALLY cheap, and my husband is a Plumber also!!! I do alot of the paperwork, and there is no way he could re-plumb an entire house for that! That wouldn't even cover costs and materals around here. Mine is a very in-demand plumber also, because he is one of themost reasonable around!!! Crazy!!!

Op, I would definately get 2-3 estimates, written to compare, because one may quote you a price verbally, and it may be the cheapest, but they may leave you with a gaping hole in your concrete that you will have to pay someone else to repair. I would also talk to your Ins. Co. again as well, They may agree to pay the contractor directly, cutting out the need to use your credit cards at all. Most contractors don't have a problem with getting paid by the insurance, as long as the Insurance accepts the estimate it is usually a done deal.

I agree. Dh is a welder/fabricator/pipe fitter etc and uber handy around the house so we rarely pay for labor. He would charge waaay more than that ($500) even if it were a little side job for a neighbor. That's almost as scary as being overcharged.