Repiping or a big plumbing repair: how to compare Florida quotes
Pipe materials, what a repipe quote should list, drywall and permits, and the payment protections Florida law gives homeowners.
Big plumbing jobs, such as repiping a house, replacing a main drain or fixing repeated slab leaks, can run to thousands of dollars. They also tend to open walls and ceilings, so the details in the quote matter more than the headline number.
Why people repipe
Older homes may have galvanized steel supply lines that corrode, or cast-iron drain lines that crack with age. Pinhole leaks that keep coming back, discoloured water or falling pressure can all point to piping at the end of its life. A plumber should be able to show you the evidence, such as a camera inspection of a drain, a pressure test, or photographs of the failed section, rather than relying on a general warning.
Materials
Modern supply systems in Florida use copper, CPVC or cross-linked polyethylene (PEX); drains typically use PVC or ABS. Each has pros and cons, including cost, handling, and how it holds up with your water chemistry and local building code. Ask which material the plumber proposes, why, and what the manufacturer's warranty covers. Your insurer may ask about the age and material of your plumbing, so tell them what you plan to install and keep the paperwork.
What the quote should list
- The licensed company's name and Florida licence number.
- The scope: which fixtures and lines are replaced, and whether it is whole-house or partial.
- Materials and fittings, including the pipe type and the manufacturer.
- Who opens and repairs the walls: drywall, texture, paint, and any ceilings, tile or cabinetry. This is the most common gap between quotes.
- Permit and inspection, and who handles them.
- The timeline, including how long the water will be off each day.
- The payment schedule and warranty, in writing.
Get at least two quotes on the same scope
Show each plumber the same problem and ask them to price the same scope. If one quote is much lower, find out what is missing. A low number that excludes wall repair is not lower; it is a different job.
Deposits and the contract
Under section 489.126, if a residential contractor takes more than 10 percent of the contract price, the contractor must apply for permits within 30 days and start within 90 days after they issue, unless there is just cause. A contractor who does neither can face criminal charges that scale with the amount taken. For contracts over $2,500, the contract must include a notice about the Florida Homeowners' Construction Recovery Fund (section 489.1425). Tie payments to milestones, such as rough-in complete, inspection passed and wall repair done.
Liens and final payment
Suppliers and subcontractors who are not paid can file a construction lien against your home. Under Florida's lien law (section 713.06), an owner should retain the final payment until the contractor delivers an affidavit listing the people paid or still owed. Ask for that affidavit and do not release the last payment without it.
Living through a repipe
Ask where you will have water and when. Move valuables away from the work, ask the crew to protect floors, and take dated photographs before and after. Run each fixture at the end of the job and check for leaks under sinks and around the water heater.
Questions worth asking before the work starts
How long has the company been doing repipes in homes like yours? Will the same crew do the repair work or is it subcontracted, and is the subcontractor licensed where required? What happens if the crew finds a surprise behind a wall, and how is the extra cost approved? Who is your contact if something goes wrong a month later? A good plumber answers these plainly and puts the answers in the contract.
If something fails
Put the problem in writing to the contractor and keep copies. Our licence guide explains how to confirm who is accountable, and DBPR accepts complaints about licensed and unlicensed contractors.
General information only, current as of the date above. The information on Florida Plumber Check is not a recommendation or a guarantee of anyone's work. A licence record shows registration status on the date shown, not workmanship, insurance coverage at the time of your job, or suitability for your project. Confirm licence, insurance and permits directly before you hire. Rules and programs change; check the official sources linked in this guide.