A routine-looking shower repair turned into something much bigger for a Queens homeowner. After receiving estimates of $650, $425, and $350 to replace the cartridge in an approximately 30-year-old faucet, the homeowner learned the job could become a roughly $1,500 wall-opening project once the old fixture proved difficult to take apart and the part itself appeared to be obsolete.
Here's what to know
The main question in the Reddit post was whether a $350 quote sounded fair for Queens, New York. The original poster said that because the faucet was old, they hired a plumber instead of trying to repair it themselves.
Commenters generally said that number was in line with what someone in Queens could expect to pay. One commenter wrote, "$350 is about as good as youre gonna get for queens, thats barely covering a couple hours of labor and the part."
The poster later explained why the repair wasn't going smoothly. They said the plumber spent about 30 minutes removing the rusted handle assembly and identified the faucet brand.
The next complication was the cartridge itself. According to the poster, the cartridge had been discontinued, so the plumber reassembled the shower for now, but a full repair would require removing four to six tiles, opening the wall, and installing new cement board and tile for about $1,500.
More background
A warning in the thread ended up being accurate. One commenter had written, "It's a 15 minute job if it will even come off. I am doubting it will. I bet you get into a big job." The original poster replied, "Guess what you are correct."
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Other commenters said older valves often stop being simple as soon as the teardown begins.
One commenter also argued that the cost is mostly about time on site, describing cartridge replacement as "about 95% labour, and 5% parts."
In that view, the price covers everything around the swap itself — getting the part, making the trip upstairs, shutting off and draining the water lines, replacing the cartridge, testing the water, and then heading back into NY traffic.
What can be done?
The homeowner said the shower was reassembled and remained usable. They also said the plumber identified the faucet brand and determined the needed cartridge was obsolete, making a more extensive repair the likely next step.
The thread also highlighted a few practical problems that can make a DIY approach harder than it sounds. One commenter said the fixture's lack of hot- and cold-water shutoffs meant relying on a main valve that didn't fully stop the water. Another noted that a tool designed to remove cartridges usually costs about $15.
"I will say I'm extremely happy I did not attempt this myself," the OP commented. "For most of you it's an easy job here being how old it is it's a b****. So now it's on the plumber to do it right not me."
Where can I learn more?
If you're dealing with a bathroom repair, these stories offer a useful look at how other homeowners' common fixes and upgrades have worked out.
• One homeowner found an easy leaky sink fix that helped avoid an expensive plumber visit.
• A plumber showed a little-known shower trick that cleared a slow drain fast.
• A simple toilet dye test saved hundreds by catching a hidden leak early.
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