To install the sink we'd purchased, run new water lines to the ice maker and replace the faucet, drain pipes and minor accessories -- about five hours work -- the company billed us $2,200. On the itemized bill, they listed the sink basket strainer -- the little food trap that drops into the drain opening that you see in image at right being sold for $1.99 at Hardware.com -- at $159.00.
The "top of the line faucet" the plumber sold me for $553 I later found listed at $160. To re-install a disposer he charged $324, a service that I later priced at $100 from a major local appliance store.
But this is just a symptom of a bigger problem in our country. It was thinking like this that got in this crazy financial mess we're in.
Fair wage for honest work. Anyone's going to charge a little bit of a markup. Otherwise you'd do it yourself. But $159 for a $2 strainer? No way. Maybe $5. Tops.
