Recommendation: Changing from Low pressure to main pressure water system

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samgdan

160 posts

Master Geek

#306042 23-Jun-2023 09:07

Hi everyone.

After a few years suffering the low pressure hot water in my showers I have decided to move to main pressure. (that should fix the issue from my plumber comments)

i asked a plumber and they quoted me $3900 for a 180L cylinder, plus all the valves and some adjustment on the shower heads.

it is the first price i got so I don't know if it is expensive or a fair price.

Essentially $3900 from the quote everything should be covered.

**as part of that quoted, they included 8 hours at $80 per hour. this is the part that i believe is too much but I might be wrong.

could someone recommend me a plumber who does a good job at a reasonable price?

im located in Christchurch

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2433 posts

Uber Geek

Lifetime subscriber

#3093811 23-Jun-2023 09:22

We paid $3k about 5 years ago for a similar job so it sounds reasonable. It didn’t make much difference to the shower because they put a pressure valve on the mains and we haven’t changed the shower tap ware yet.

What it did make a difference to was when replacing other taps, it was easier to find more mains pressure ones to choose from. That spurred me when the old kitchen tap needed replacing and the difference in price and choice between low and mains taps was a factor in changing over to mains for future proofing.

samgdan

160 posts

Master Geek

#3093812 23-Jun-2023 09:26

thank you, it is hard to say how was your case, but in my case the pressure on the showers is very poor, the plumber already adjusted the best they could the shower heads and it did improve but not much.

they recommend me to move to mains pressure and that would make a big difference on the shower head water pressure.

Eva888

2433 posts

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Lifetime subscriber

#3093821 23-Jun-2023 09:31

Our plumber is into water saving. He’s an inspector plumber so unless I really whinge he keeps our taps set at a lower flow rate.

They can ramp it up on mains so I’m sure yours will be a great improvement.

samgdan

160 posts

Master Geek

#3093822 23-Jun-2023 09:33

if you dont mind, would you mind sharing the details of your plumber?

im located in christchurch, so hopefully we are in the same city.

thanks

Bung

6485 posts

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Subscriber

#3093868 23-Jun-2023 09:40

Just so we know where you're starting from try measuring how many litres of water you get from your shower in 30 seconds.

samgdan

160 posts

Master Geek

#3093870 23-Jun-2023 09:44

Bung: Just so we know where you're starting from try measuring how many litres of water you get from your shower in 30 seconds.

no need to do that, the pressure is bad, the pressure increase a bit if you add cold water, which is normal to do. but still it is bad. trust me i been suffering this for years and winter in the worse period.

timmmay

20580 posts

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#3093871 23-Jun-2023 09:48

We went from low to high pressure hot water, huge different in shower quality. We moved the hot water cylinder into the ceiling, changed all the pipes, and completely redid the bathroom including relining, underfloor heating, standard shower head and rain head, and a stairway up to the ceiling space. Ten years ago that cost about $40K, so $3K seems pretty cheap.

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samgdan

160 posts

Master Geek

#3093874 23-Jun-2023 09:55

timmmay:

We went from low to high pressure hot water, huge different in shower quality. We moved the hot water cylinder into the ceiling, changed all the pipes, and completely redid the bathroom including relining, underfloor heating, standard shower head and rain head, and a stairway up to the ceiling space. Ten years ago that cost about $40K, so $3K seems pretty cheap.

I see, in my case is only the cylinder and some valves replacement.

something to mention is that the cylinder is located on the ground floor and the showers are on the first floor.

still when I spoke to the plumber about that, he clearly said the pressure will improve for sure, hence now I trying to find out if the price seem reasonable.

thank you,

Goosey

2831 posts

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Subscriber

#3093892 23-Jun-2023 10:29

Have you tried Foleys or a local plumber (what part of ChCh are you).

$80 plus gst per hour aint a bad rate for what I assume will be a certified plumber....you are getting years of expertise and assurances its being done to code/regulations.

Im trying to suggest my two little kids (girls), become plumbers, drainlayers or dentists as they make squillions per minute.

samgdan

160 posts

Master Geek

#3093895 23-Jun-2023 10:36

Goosey:

Have you tried Foleys or a local plumber (what part of ChCh are you).

$80 plus gst per hour aint a bad rate for what I assume will be a certified plumber....you are getting years of expertise and assurances its being done to code/regulations.

Im trying to suggest my two little kids (girls), become plumbers, drainlayers or dentists as they make squillions per minute.

Foley is on my list, also I have revolution plumbing....

ok, thank you for your opinion about the $80 per hour is fine, but 8 hours for the job? i know is not a 2 hours job, maybe 4 hours? 8 hours feel excessive....maybe I wrong....

martyyn

1971 posts

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#3093953 23-Jun-2023 11:22

We have 60's low pressure and have been quoted just under $4k to replace the 135l with 180l mains pressure and change to appropriate piping and tapware etc and around $5k to move it into the ceiling.

When looking around I've found it to be pretty standard for the costs to start at around $3.5k.

$80 an hour for a tradie is rather cheap these days. I've got sparkies on $120 an hour around here.

Eva888

2433 posts

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Lifetime subscriber

#3093960 23-Jun-2023 11:32

samgdan:
if you dont mind, would you mind sharing the details of your plumber?

im located in christchurch, so hopefully we are in the same city.

thanks

Mine is in Wellington unfortunately.

samgdan

160 posts

Master Geek

#3094010 23-Jun-2023 11:39

martyyn:

We have 60's low pressure and have been quoted just under $4k to replace the 135l with 180l mains pressure and change to appropriate piping and tapware etc and around $5k to move it into the ceiling.

When looking around I've found it to be pretty standard for the costs to start at around $3.5k.

$80 an hour for a tradie is rather cheap these days. I've got sparkies on $120 an hour around here.

thank you.....let me see how I can change careers.....

Bung

6485 posts

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Subscriber

#3094012 23-Jun-2023 11:43

samgdan:
ok, thank you for your opinion about the $80 per hour is fine, but 8 hours for the job? i know is not a 2 hours job, maybe 4 hours? 8 hours feel excessive....maybe I wrong....

You'd be very brave quoting for a job and not allowing for it to take a day. Even if there's no problem and you finished early would there be time to do anything else that day?

A few years ago we did a South Island trip with a retired plumber. Many of the places we stayed at had Felton mixers. The type with the on/off lever at the showerhead. That type of mixer has an adjustable valve for hot and cold behind the faceplate. In almost every case the mixer was set up wrong.

CokemonZ

1051 posts

Uber Geek

#3094014 23-Jun-2023 11:45

Price is reasonable - we got ours done about a year ago for a little less, but didn't include taps and shower head as I was able to do those.

Do it!

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