CONTRACTER CHARGING DOUBLE FOR WORK WITH PERMITS

[Kenia Crevoisier]

Hi BP,

I am currently negotiating a pipe replacement project to change a property’s cast iron pipes to PVC pipes. 

We were originally going to do a pipeline work but a month into the project the CONTRACTER informs me that the pipes are in too bad of shape for pipeline. A replacement is necessary, however, they need to get an experienced plumber for that work. The experienced plumber that he recommended to us originally gave an estimate of roughly $5k to change the pipes, but with permits is charging $11k. What gives? I was expecting maybe $2-3k more for work with permits.  

How much more should a work be with permits va without permits? P.S. we definitely want to do this job with permits and agree to pay more for the work but I don’t think this price increase is reasonable.