I know there is cost in tearing up the concrete in order to add the plumbing.

To get building permits, HVAC, plumbing, electrical the owner has to pull permits or a GC hired by the owner.

So before you can plumb or put in electric you need yoru framing approved so you don't have to move lines if you have to redo framing.

Yank out it's plumbing, Cover it with a slightly raised lattice wood frame and call it the sunken conversation pit or outdoor game room!

I happened to mention this to a worker in the plumbing section of Home Depot and he said it was "BS" and that I should use the putty/tape.Has anyone else used these faucets?

The faucet and plumbing was working OK.

They have maintenance contacts in every city and if you have an issue, you go online, explain the problem, and the plumbing company they contracted with for that city comes out, goes through the process and fixes the problem accordingly.

OTOH, plumbing materials cost very little vs. the labor.I've had bids that vary by a factor of six for labor for the same job.Its very difficult to come up with any rules of thumb for this.

I know what my worst-case costs are if something like a major plumbing or electrical problem comes up, so I know the worst-case scenario if I miss something and I'm always comfortable with that worst-case scenario.

Being a master carpenter when we purchased the home I completely gutted it to the frame and rebuilt it as if it was an actual house.New plumbing, sub-floors, ceramic floors throughout.