Excessive Charges for Basic Plumbing Work – Proceed with Caution..
Pelham Plumbing (2253 Light Street, Bronx, NY) for a leak under my kitchen sink. The total bill came to $2,414.59, which I later found extremely excessive after reviewing what was done. The job included replacing a kitchen faucet, trap, and drain line under the sink — basic residential plumbing without any structural work or emergency service.
I received the following cost breakdown:
Labor Cost: $1,622.50
Material Cost: $440.93
Material Mark-Up: $154.33
According to the invoice, they installed a new Delta faucet, replaced a brass trap and strainer, installed a dishwasher tee, and made basic drainpipe repairs. These are not specialty parts or complex procedures, yet the labor alone was charged at over $1,600 — for a standard under-sink job.
I also did not receive this breakdown until I followed up and requested it. There was no upfront estimate, and the charges were never discussed in advance.
I've filed a complaint with the NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP) to report potential overbilling. If you're considering hiring this company, I strongly urge you to demand a written estimate beforehand and compare rates. There are many reputable plumbers in NYC who are far more transparent with pricing.
Consumers should not have to chase fair treatment.