Bob was a licensed plumber. That $600 figure from about 14 years or so ago is what he told me.
My mother kept some of the bills for building the house I live in. My mother was upset that my uncle didn’t haggle with the contractors. My uncle didn’t need to, he was getting good prices.
“You must not know anything about construction plumbing.”
Full-flow shut off valves at the house, by the meter and for the hot water heater. Expansion tank for the water heater. Service pipe (3/4 inch minimum & for my size house) at least 12 inches into the ground here in Florida (where the ground doesn’t freeze), tracer line for PVC service line, backflow value above flood level, ...
PEX pipe sensitive to sunlight...
Then explain how a plumbing business can drill all the holes and fight the electricians for them, redrill, run all the water, drains, gas, rough in toilets and sinks and tubs, water heater, outdoor hose bibbs and showers with skilled labor passing all inspections, and do top out for $600 total labor?