Cost of installing a battery back up sump pump

[dragon60030]

Hello,

I need some opinions. I need to install a battery operated back up sump pump. I bought the pump so I am good to go there, but my ability to do the pipework is questionable. All I need to have done is to cut the existing pipe, mount the pump, resize the length, and reattach the pipe.

I can handle the minimal amount of electrical.

How long should something like this take and what is a ball park for the labor rate?

I had one plumber come give me an estimate of 1 1/2 hr for $600. That seems a bit high since it didn't even include the pump.

What do you think? Words of wisdom?

[nomind]

Hi dragon60030,
- Quick, tell me where you live, I'm going to come and be a plumber there .LOL
That plumber is probably too busy, or doesn't know how to do pumps, and is trying to put you off. -You're right it could be done in less than 2 hours. and should cost no mre than 120-140 at the most ! It's really not difficult, we could help you from here, especially if you post a pic. of your current setup . :cool:

Do it Right - Do it once.

[WML13]

Ill race you to do this job nomind! I think the key for our questioner is if he has any experience working with plastic pipe, glue and the ability to handle the nuances that come with this job. Im no pro, but I put one in in about two hours myself. You have to be careful, there were a couple of checkvalves that have to be pointing the right way. and the float switches need to be placed so they dont interfere with one another. If I had it to do over, I would buy a backup pump that sits outside the sump because of the lack of room in there, but its ok for now.

[DUNBAR PLUMBER]

Battery backups are a pain in the !$% to install depending on how deep the pit. You either stack the pumps one on top of each other, or set the pump side by side just as deep or one up higher than the other. Most battery backups do not have the mounting bracket that suspends the pump off of the primary discharge line either.


Make sure you buy some long nylon cable ties; you will need them to strap the wiring to the pipes as you come out of the pit.


Otherwise you will take a chance of dangling wires that can hold the float switch in the open or closed position.


The quickest I have ever done one was 2.0 hours, Basement Watchdog was the brand name, and the customer was "sort of" running to my truck to get fittings. You must have 2 check valves, can't rely off of the primary check valve for the secondary.


Pricing should be anywhere from $200 to $350 on the average for these. Shoot for the lower number range + or - $75.


They are very time consuming if you do it right and secure all the wiring from the pit. I can do them in 2.0 hours now since i've done so many in the past years.