Plumbing bills mix trip fees, hourly labor and flat-rate jobs, which makes them hard to compare. GenuineRate checks each line against typical prices in your metro — water heaters, fixtures, drain cleaning and hourly rates.
Every line is compared with typical installed prices for your metro. You get what's high, what's missing, questions to ask, and a polite message to send.
Common overcharges
Flat-rate pricing well above hourly reality
Many plumbers price jobs from a flat-rate book. That's normal, but a 30-minute job priced like three hours of labor deserves a question.
Water heater add-ons
Expansion tanks, code upgrades and haul-away are sometimes required — but they should be itemized, not bundled into a surprise total.
Trip fee on top of a minimum charge
Some companies charge a trip fee and a one-hour minimum. Ask which applies before they come out.
Upselling a full replacement
A leaking valve or a failed element doesn't always mean a new water heater. Ask what's wrong and what a repair would cost.