Lets face it, if you have to repair a sewer line your pipe is backing up and close to the point of failure. Or maybe you are part of a small group that likes to get ahead of a sewer back up, keep his cost down and repair your sewer before it is a real “problem”.
Either way the sewer repair work is expensive and it is important that you understand all of the cost variables associated with the actual pipe repair. It is also important that you have a detailed understanding of your problem to assist the estimator in best diagnosing all details for the estimate.
The first step should include the estimator measuring the depth of the city sewer which will be determined from the manhole located in the roadway. The depth of the city sewer will assist us in understanding how deep we are required to excavate which will tie in the amount of debris to be dumped and the time to excavate down to the city sewer.
The next measurement includes total linear feet of your sewer line to be replaced. The primary cost factors include amount of pipe, shoring required, debris to be removed. restoration of the roadway, restoration of the sidewalk and time associated with excavating for installation.
A few other important factors include the size of pipe which in most cases throughout Brooklyn, Queens and the Bronx include 6″ pipe unless working at a large building. In Manhattan the minimal size is 8″ which would lead to a cost increase.
It is also important to determine if you house is on a DOT protected roadway. If yes, there is additional cost associated with the back fill test, permits and final restoration in some cases.
The other factors are what makes an on site visit most important, the estimator needs to determine if there are any obstacles or obstructions above ground. This may include a fence in line with your sewer line. You house may have a porch, a hydrant in front or a tree, these are a few examples that may impact the overall pricing structure due to the additional time it may take to work around these obstructions.
The worst case would be if the layout of your property requires the work crew to dig by hand only, this means we would not be able to utilize a backhoe to excavate and as a result the installation would take a lot more time to complete.
Please take note that it is very important to have a formal estimate completed at the location. We understand you may be in a rush or do not want to be bothered meeting people at your house however, under no circumstance should you feel comfortable receiving an estimate over the phone. There are too many cost variables that must be determined on site by a company representative.
It is also important to understand that a sewer repair estimate should be completely free, there is no reason to be charged for an estimator to meet at your home and issue a formal estimate. For this reason there really is not any downside to meeting a licensed mater plumber to obtain a formal estimate.
