The Plumber is Dead!

We killed the plumber -- actually we killed the idea of having our pedicure platform plumbed. The desire to put sinks into the platform, have sprayers and running water, and not to have to carry the pedi bowls has been such a dream of ours when we decided to open the salon. Beside the expense of it all, it seemed realistic until we talked to five plumbers, at which time we got some outrageous bids and many conflicting stories on what actually was complaint for the building permit.

We had two bids over $7,500, two for $2,500 and a plumber that totally blew us off. Some said they could plumb the sinks through the wall, another said he could put the pipes in ceiling, two said they had to jackhammer the floor, and one said we needed a larger hot water heater because when we flush the toilet there would not be enough hot water....Who uses hot water in the toilet?

We also felt that the two $7,500 bids, which came from highly recommended legit plumbers, tried to take advantage of us because we are women who they assumed didn’t know what we were doing. Well let me tell you after this whole plumbing journey I know more about plumbing than I care to. So we killed the plumber.

Finally, our pedi platform is in the final stages. We covered it to match our desks, painted the wall behind it, tiled the top with white tile, and by this weekend it should have all its trim, both e-files installed, and we should be good to go. No more sitting on the floor to do pedicures!

--Vicki, Polish Salon, Brea, Calif.