Replace old galvanised pipes

[CherylT]

Hi all
Apologies if I've posted this twice - am still feeling my way round. I need to replace the galvanised pipes under my unit and have had two quotes. One for $850 and the other for $2,200. The tap at the front needs to be replaced, along with about 12m of pipe. The connections are to the kitchen sink, the loo, vanity, shower over bath and laundry basin. It's all in a straight line and you can get under the unit (about 2ft). The lower quote is for a plastic replacement and as I didn't know what questions to ask when I got the higher quote I don't know whether that's for copper or some sort of plastic. Just wondering if anyone has any ideas on rough estimates and the material that should be used as there's a huge difference in cost. Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.
CT

[plum]

Your $850 price seems quite cheap, possibly a younger less experienced guy,
the higher price appears a little steep by say $4-500, possibly quoted by a larger firm using subbies,
about a day and a half labour depending on if there is any digging involved and about $350 material.
Most guys are using plastic pipe of one form or another if it's not exposed to u.v. Any exposed pipe will
be done in copper.

[CherylT]

Thanks Plum. A plumbing supply coy quoted $180 for 15m of copper pipe and he said that all that has to be done is the pipe is flared to each of the connections. He made it sound like a fairly easy job to do given there is not digging involved and it's all in a straight line. If that's the case why they use plastic given copper will last so much longer or is there a lot more involved?

[plum]

I actually wouldn't listen to advice from a chap who works behind the counter of a plumbing supply, and it is quite debatable re. comparing lifespans between copper and plastic

[wonderplumb]

I actually wouldn't listen to advice from a chap who works behind the counter of a plumbing supply, and it is quite debatable re. comparing lifespans between copper and plastic
I second that. Copper used to be guaranteed fo 50 years, most plastic products are 25 years. BUT, this is not to say they will only last that long.

[Danny]

Plastic pipe has an image problem through being constantly referred to as 'plastic'. Say plastic to most people and they will think of supermarket bags.

Black Auspex is now rated as UV stabilised but we used the old unrated stuff to connect my main rainwater tank to the main toilet about 8-10 years ago. It is exposed on a west wall and still looks and feels as good as the day it was fitted. I always intended to either cover it or give it a splash of paint but never did. Will have to get around to it one day. Maybe tomorrow!

[wonderplumb]

True, however they look at you funny when you say PEX, XLPE or cross linked polyethylene :?

[plum]

There is a lot of dodgy copper tube on the market from Korea, apparently it meets our standards, much rather our Port Kembla stuff.