Post by “How much will this cost?” is still the first question every homeowner asks after the wet “snap” of a burst pipe or the gurgle of a failing water heater.
Below, the team at Plumbing Cost Estimator (PCE) walks you—step-by-step—through the same pricing routine we use on real jobs in 2025. You’ll see live numbers, before/after photos, and a short video tour of the calculator our licensed plumbers open on every iPad.
About us & licences | Prices discussed are regional to the Pacific Northwest; your market may vary.
Why Estimates Still Matter in 2025
Material inflation has cooled since the 2021 spike, but copper is up 8 % year-over-year and PEX is tracking 4 % higher. Meanwhile, new EPA water-heater rules added ~$350 to every tank install. In short, ball-park guesses aren’t enough. A line-item estimate protects both your budget and your plumber from the awkward “mid-job surprise.”
The 7-Minute Phone Screen (Free)
Before we roll a van, our dispatcher asks:
- Age of home?
- Copper, galvanized, or plastic?
- Single-story or multi?
- Any prior leaks in the same area?
Those four answers flag 80 % of accessibility nightmares (think: crawl-space so tight we need a mini-excavator). If the job sounds routine, we schedule an on-site “scope & quote” at no charge. If we smell a repipe, we warn you the visit carries a $99 diagnostic fee that’s credited back when you proceed.
On-Site Scoping Checklist (With Real 2025 Numbers)
Job: 1,940 ft² ranch, Beaverton, OR • Build year 1992
Issue: Pin-hole leak behind kitchen wall
Goal: Full re-route + new manifold vs. spot repairTable
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| Task | Unit Cost | Qty | Line Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Moisture-meter & thermal scan | $125 | 1 | $125 |
| Open wall (plaster) | $4.10 / ft² | 28 ft² | $114.80 |
| Type-L copper ¾” | $7.85 / ft | 42 ft | $329.70 |
| ProPEX ½” branch lines | $1.22 / ft | 110 ft | $134.20 |
| Uponor manifold 8-port | $189 | 1 | $189 |
| Shut-off valves (code) | $18 | 4 | $72 |
| Patch & texture drywall | $3.60 / ft² | 28 ft² | $100.80 |
| Haul-off debris | flat | — | $85 |
| Permit & inspection (Washington Co.) | — | — | $147 |
| SUB-TOTAL | $1 193.50 | ||
| PCE 18 % margin + 3 yr warranty | $214.83 | ||
| FINAL QUOTE | $1 408.33 |
We e-mail the interactive sheet while still on-site. Homeowner tapped “Accept,” and work started next morning.
https://plumbingcostestimator.com/img/kitchen-before.jpg
Figure 1. Thermal camera showed a 4-ft-wide cold blob—classic slab leak migration.
https://plumbingcostestimator.com/img/kitchen-after.jpg
Figure 2. Manifold is surface-mounted for future shut-off convenience; drywall patched and textured.
How We Price: 4 Levers Every Plumber Uses
- Material Index – We pull daily pricing from the PHCC 2025 National Standard database; copper is locked for 7 days, PEX for 14.
- Labor Bands – Apprentice ($68), Journeyman ($89), Master ($115). Complexity decides the ratio.
- Accessibility Multiplier – Crawl-space or 3rd-floor condo? 1.25–1.55×.
- Regional Modifier – Our Portland base rate is 1.0; Bend, OR is 1.12; rural coast is 1.23.
The algorithm spits out a range. A human then adjusts for customer loyalty, same-day flexibility, or referral credits—never more than ±5 %.
Video Walk-Through: Inside the PCE Estimator Tool (2:18)
Watch on YouTube
We open the same web app homeowners use for ball-park figures; the only difference is our back-end unlocks “installer” pricing and warranty tiers.
Three Sample Estimates You Can Compare Right Now
Prices include haul-off, permit, and 3-year parts & labor warranty.Table
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| Job Description | Low | High | Median Sold |
|---|---|---|---|
| 40-gal gas water-heater swap (like-for-like) | $1 850 | $2 400 | $2 095 |
| Tub-to-curb-less shower conversion (mid-grade tile) | $5 200 | $8 900 | $6 750 |
| Whole-house repipe (PEX, 2-bath, 1 400 ft²) | $6 900 | $10 500 | $8 400 |
Pro tip: If a quote sits 20 % below our low number, ask for licence # and proof of insurance—someone is skipping permits.
Red-Flag Lines We Never Include (and You Shouldn’t Pay)
❌ “Time & material, final bill TBD” – unless it’s a true emergency excavation.
❌ Separate trip charges on a one-day job.
❌ “Cash discount” without a matching invoice—that’s tax evasion.
Financing That Doesn’t Hurt
Through 2025, PCE still offers 0 %, 12-month plans on approvals ≥$1 000. On the $1 408 repipe above, that’s $117 / month—cheaper than most cell bills. Always compare APRs; some national plumbers advertise “no interest” but hide a 9 % origination fee.
What Customers Actually Say
“Three companies quoted $1 800–$2 600 for the same tankless heater. PCE showed me the wholesale invoice for the unit—saved $412 and still got a 12-year warranty.”
—Lori M., Tigard, OR (Google 5-star, Feb 2025)
“They FaceTimed me from the crawl space so I could see the root infiltration myself. Transparency like that is worth the extra $50.”
—Jason R., Lake Oswego, OR (Yelp, Mar 2025)
Downloadable Checklist: Get an Apples-to-Apples Bid
PDF: 2025 Plumbing Estimate Checklist
Take it to any licenced plumber; if they balk at line items, keep shopping.
Bottom Line
Accurate plumbing estimates in 2025 aren’t magic—they’re data plus honesty. Gather scope photos, insist on unit pricing, and verify the licence. Do that, and your final bill will land within 3 % of the quote 92 % of the time (our rolling 18-month average).
Need a same-day quote in greater Portland?
📞 503-555-PIPE or punch your ZIP into plumbingcostestimator.com and we’ll e-mail a guaranteed written estimate within one business hour.