In the ball park?

[Maddiemom]

I got a bid of $450 to put in a new 3/4 inch gas line for my stove. They are debating two ways of doing it... The meter is on the side of my house.. and the run from there to the new location in 60 running feet in an *L* configuation. It can be done on the outside of the house with one type of ridgid pipe or on the inside with some sort of flexible pipe. In either case the cost is $450. Does this seem right? I am all for paying the going rate but if this in out of the ballpark I want to call around for some more estimates.

Maddiemom

[LazyPup]

The gas codes tend to vary greatly from one community to another so I would begin by calling your local gas company or plumbing inspector to determine what materials are approved in your locality.

Both the International Residential Code and the Uniform Plumbing code permit the following materials subject to limitations:

Black Iron Pipe & Galvanized Iron pipe for both direct burial and inside the structure. For direct burial the pipe must be factory wrapped and all joints field wrapped to prevent any direct contact with the earth.

NOTE: Many local codes do not allow galvanized iron pipe.

Copper Pipe: Copper pipe may only be used if the copper pipe is specifically labelled by the manufacturer as suitable for "Gas Service" and you may only use copper if the Gas is certified to contain equal to or less than 0.3grains of Hydrogen Sulfide per 100 cu.ft of gas (Requires a letter of certification from the gas supplier)

The International Residential Code allows the use of CSST (Corrugated Stainless Steel Tubing) but only when installed in strict compliance with the manufacturers specifications and local code restrictions.

The Uniform Plumbing Code has not adopted the general use of CSST except for short factory assembled flex appliance connectors, however many local jurisdtictions under the UPC have adopted CSST for use in their jurisdiction.

Polyethelene and Polybutelene pipe are approved for underground outside of the structure.


Given the option I personally would lean toward a black iron pipe installation.

It would be very difficult to comment on pricing as the cost of materials and prevailing wages vary greatly from one region to another, and the actual labor time will vary greatly from one installation to another. Sight unseen that price seems to be in the ballpark, but I would suggest you get at least two or three competitive bids.

[JCA1]

Her in my part of NC black pipe is about $1.00/ft. and fittings average about $2.00 a piece but the labor to install it is more because it takes longer. CSST is what I suspect to be then flexible pipe you mention. This pipe is much more expensive than black pipe as well as the fittings, but the labor is less because it's quicker. In my experience I can install a system on CSST cheaper than black iron. Top run 60' or CSST and hook up a range I would charge about $350. Like LP said though, labor and materials vary from place to place. I would however get more than one estimate unless you know this person well and trust him/her.

[SSN596]

As mentioned, codes vary widely. Here, black may only be used inside. Outside above ground must be galvanized, and underground must be epoxy coated steel, with joints primed and wrapped with 2 layers of 20 mil pipe wrap. Some plastic pipe may be allowed, but is not in widespread use residentially. Copper pipe is prohibited for natural gas.