Most of them either want the whole job or nothing. I get it, but it’s frustrating when you know you can handle 90% of it yourself.
Honestly, I kind of see where the plumbers are coming from, even if it’s a pain for us DIY types. Liability’s a big deal—if something goes sideways on the part you did, they’re the ones getting called back, and it can mess with their insurance. I’ve had a couple say flat-out they won’t touch a job unless they do the whole thing, and I can’t really blame them.
That said, I’ve had better luck with smaller, independent plumbers versus bigger companies. The solo guys sometimes don’t mind just doing the final tie-in, especially if you’re upfront about your skill level and what you’ve already done. But yeah, it’s hit or miss.
Have you ever tried reaching out to trade schools? Sometimes apprentices are looking for side work and are more flexible about partial jobs. Not always an option, but it’s worked for me once or twice. Just a thought—might save you some waiting and headaches.
I get where you’re coming from, but honestly, I think it’s a bit risky to go the trade school or apprentice route unless you really know who you’re dealing with. I’ve had properties where a “side job” by someone who wasn’t fully licensed ended up costing me more down the line—either in repairs or city inspections. It’s tempting to save money or get someone more flexible, but sometimes that flexibility comes back to bite you.
That said, I’ve also noticed that if you’re managing multiple properties, having a consistent pro you trust (even if they insist on doing the whole job) pays off in the long run. They stand by their work, and you build a relationship. Sure, it’s frustrating when you know you can handle most of it yourself, but the peace of mind is worth something too.
Not saying DIY is out—I still do minor stuff myself. But for anything that might affect resale or insurance, I’d rather just bite the bullet and let the pro handle it, start to finish. Just my two cents...
I hear you on the risk—especially with older homes, one “shortcut” can snowball into a nightmare. I’ve had to redo plumbing that some “handyman” patched up years ago, and it wasn’t pretty. Still, I get tempted to tackle more myself, especially when pros quote me for stuff that seems basic. Do you think there’s a line where DIY is actually safer, or is it just not worth the gamble with things like plumbing? I sometimes wonder if I’m being too cautious...
I get where you’re coming from—sometimes it feels like you’re paying a pro just to twist a wrench. I usually draw the line at anything behind the walls or involving gas lines. Swapping out a faucet? Sure. Rerouting pipes? That’s where I start sweating. Honestly, I’ve learned the hard way that “just tightening a fitting” can turn into a weekend of mopping up. If you’re not sure, sometimes it’s cheaper to pay up front than fix a flood later...
Totally get what you mean about the “just tightening a fitting” bit. I once tried to fix a slow drip under the kitchen sink, thinking it was no big deal—ended up with water pooling everywhere because I didn’t seat the washer right. Had to call in a pro anyway, so my “savings” went out the window. I still do the basics, but anything that could cause hidden leaks makes me nervous. Sometimes I wonder if I’m being too cautious, but then again, water damage isn’t cheap...
