Plumbing Vent Flashing Boot Cost

[Nick Ostrowski]

What is the going rate in your areas to replace one plumbing vent flashing boot? A friend of mine got a quote of $1,017.00 to replace 4 of them. I estimate the cost of replacement of one to be about $200.00 give or take so I guess the estimate she got isn't too far off. The roofer told her he was giving her the price it would normally be for three replacements (one free).

[Scott Patterson]

Rubber boots in my area go for about $75 each. Lead boots go for around $125 each.

[Brandon Whitmore]

I'm in the wrong business................

[James Duffin]

I do them all the time for $75 each. I buy a new flange for $15, cut out the center piece of rubber, and slide it down over the top of the cracked boot. Takes about 15 minutes.

[Jim Robinson]

You can buy the rubber without the metal flange if you special order it. I did that a few years ago. I think it was $3 or $4, and I did just what you said. I slipped it down over the cracked rubber and called it good.

[John Kogel]

Flat or low slope roof, different story, no?

[Dub Smith]

You can buy what they call a "Perma Boot" at most Home Improvement Stores. They go for about $20 each. You just slide them over the existing vent and apply a bead of caulk to the top of the vent pipe, then you have a vent collar that slides over the existing vent and snaps into place. No shingle removal necessary. Easy fix. Supposedly guaranteed against leaks for the life of the existing shingles.:)

Perma-Boot - Permanent Roof Vent Boot Repair - Home (http://www.perma-boot.com)

[Bill Penn]

On a simular subject, is there a retro boot for electrical masts? On plumbing, you have the ability to slide down over the top, while on the electrical mast that is not an option.

[James Duffin]

You can buy what they call a "Perma Boot" at most Home Improvement Stores. They go for about $20 each. You just slide them over the existing vent and apply a bead of caulk to the top of the vent pipe, then you have a vent collar that slides over the existing vent and snaps into place. No shingle removal necessary. Easy fix. Supposedly guaranteed against leaks for the life of the existing shingles.:)

Perma-Boot - Permanent Roof Vent Boot Repair - Home (http://www.perma-boot.com)

That looks like a nice product. I'll have to check with my local stores to see if they have them. Thanks for the heads-up...

[Duane Nelson]

Bill, yes they do. I'm not sure on the cost, but they are spendy. They have an aluminum clip that pinches the splice together. Works great.

ddn

[brent lerwill]

The criminal roofer with the $1,017 quote should be arrested. Just another example why contractors have a bad reputation with the public. I have no problem charging more than my "competitors", (and often do) but it has to be justified and truly a better "value".

See this clever, easy, cheap solution from Fine Homebuilding:..
How to Repair a Roof Flashing Boot (in a Flash) - Fine Homebuilding (http://www.finehomebuilding.com/item/13604/how-to-repair-a-roof-flashing-boot-in-a-flash)

This retrofit unit is a little spendy, but very good for electrical masts, etc.,
And, the flexible material used is much more durable than most boot material.
It will last MUCH longer than the standard rubber boot.
Pipe Flashing, Master Flash Pipe Boots, Retrofit Pipe Flashing Boots (http://www.bestmaterials.com/masterflash_sizes_and_materials.aspx)

[Mike Schulz]

$1000 he must be a government worker, $200...I'm getting back in the roofing biz. $75.00 is the norm and slightly higher for specialty stuff.

[Garry Sorrells]

Cost of replacing the boots = $275 .
Cost for fall prevention = $800

In reality it does depend on the the job conditions/location, height or roof, type of roof.

Depending on the specific conditions it could cost more than $1,000.

How about a 3 1/2 story, 12/12, old brittle slate, on a busy street in a crime riddled area.

[Mike Schulz]

Garry I see your point but your therory doesn't hold water. Slate roofs have lead boots which would last the life time of the roof. If someone installed those cheap boots on a 3 story 12 pitch roof they should not be installing roofs.

Fall protection is required and is something you need in any situation and should not cost $800.00 for each job. AKA harness/rope/ anchor.

[Jerry Peck]

Fall protection is required and is something you need in any situation and should not cost $800.00 for each job. AKA harness/rope/ anchor.

Fall protection, when used (just having it is not enough), WILL add significantly to the cost of a small job. The significance of the amount added for having, using, and maintaining fall protection will be reduced the larger the job, but it is still a cost to be considered in ANY job, regardless of size, scope, or cost.

[imported_John Smith]

The cost of goods/services is based on what the market will pay, and what other business are willing to do to compete (such as same work for lower prices).

The price quoted seems high, but maybe that is the going rate in that area.
I have one buddy that complained that a plumber charged his parents $125 to replace a closet flange and wax ring. He said he could buy the closet flange for ~$5 and the wax ring for ~5. Whole cost ~$10 to 20.

Good logic if your the guy doing the work on your own home and know how to do it. Business are in business to make money. Pulling a WC and installing new ring and flange is a lot of work. I wouldnt do it for $125. Business have advertising/insurance/other costs that arent seen by people not in business. Thats why most home inspectors dont last long. They arent good business people.

[Garry Sorrells]

Garry I see your point but your therory doesn't hold water. Slate roofs have lead boots which would last the life time of the roof. If someone installed those cheap boots on a 3 story 12 pitch roof they should not be installing roofs.

Fall protection is required and is something you need in any situation and should not cost $800.00 for each job. AKA harness/rope/ anchor.

Mike, in actual practice it is all about the conditions and requirements of the job. Without knowing all of the variables the only real answer is $125 to infinity. You might assume that it is a one man 30 min job and in fact it might be a 3 or 4 man job and take 6 hours. It is all about the many variables.

I have been called onto a job because of presumed high quote and after verifying what will be required the quote ends up being within reason. Once upon a time decades ago someone would tell me of a price and I would say " you have to be kidding, that's robbery" only to find out the full extent of the requirements for that job. I now ask a lot of questions before I make a determination on cost/price.