Is $14,000 reasonable to repipe a Poly-B bungalow in Calgary?

For a Poly-B repipe on a Calgary bungalow, $14,000 sits at the higher end of the typical range but is not unreasonable depending on the size of the home and what the quote includes. Typical Calgary figures for a whole-house repipe are $8,000 to $15,000, with most homes landing around $10,000 to $13,000.

What moves the price on this job

A bungalow is generally more straightforward than a two-storey because the supply lines run in one direction and access through the basement ceiling is usually manageable. That said, several things push the number up or down: how many fixtures and branch lines the house has, whether the basement ceiling is drywalled or open, how much concrete needs to be cut for any below-slab runs, and whether the contractor is quoting PEX or copper as the replacement material. Ask the quote to specify which material and what diameter.

Drywall patching and painting after the work is done is often priced separately. If the $14,000 quote covers patching and painting, that changes the comparison significantly. If it does not, add that cost before deciding whether the number is fair.

Permit and certification in Calgary.

A repipe is not a fixture swap, so it needs a plumbing permit from the City of Calgary. When you hire a plumber, the plumber takes out the permit; a homeowner permit is only for work you do yourself. Make sure the quote states who pulls the permit and that the price covers both inspections.

The person doing the work must be a certified journeyperson plumber or a registered apprentice working under one. Under Alberta's Skilled Trades and Apprenticeship Education Act, plumbing is a compulsory certification trade. Ask to see the journeyperson certificate before signing.

Before paying any deposit, confirm the contractor holds an Alberta prepaid contracting licence through Service Alberta. Any business that takes money before all the work is done must hold one. Also request a WCB-Alberta clearance letter confirming the contractor's account is in good standing.

What a fair quote should spell out.

A complete quote for this job should include: a fixed price (not hourly), the pipe material and diameter, the number of fixtures being connected, whether the permit fee is included, what happens to the drywall and finishes after, how removed Poly-B is disposed of, a warranty on both parts and labour, and the start and completion dates. If the quote is vague on any of those, ask for a revised version before comparing it to others.

On the Poly-B itself: the Province of Alberta notes that most Alberta installations used copper or brass insert fittings rather than the plastic fittings reported to be more prone to failure. Existing Poly-B is not illegal and there is no rule requiring replacement. The decision is yours, based on the pipe's condition, your insurer's position and your own comfort level.

Which walls and ceilings get opened, and who puts them back, is the question that separates a complete repipe quote from an incomplete one.