When your plumbing breaks down, the classic solution usually involves pulling up the floor, breaking tiles and repainting. At first glance, the budget may seem reasonable: labour plus materials. However, this initial figure does not reveal all the associated costs. In this article you will discover:
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Why the actual cost of a conventional repair can double.
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How Limpiezas Domingo’s no work techniques avoid these cost overruns.
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A detailed comparison that will allow you to decide between building and relining.
The real price of lifting work
Visible” budget vs. hidden reality
When you ask for a traditional repair estimate, you are given a figure that usually includes:
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Pipe repair (cutting, joining, welding or gluing).
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Basic materials: PVC sections, seals and adhesives.
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Labour: plumber and helpers.
But often, this amount represents only 50-60% of the final outlay. The rest is hidden in items that you won’t see until the final bill.
Permits and fees you never imagined
For digging or breaking on public roads, many communities require:
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Minor building permit: 150-300 €.
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Rubble dumping fee: 100-200 €.
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Control of special waste: cost of authorised waste managers.
Without these procedures, you expose your home to fines or penalties for unlicensed work.
Restoration of finishes and additional workmanship
Once your home is open:
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Masonry to replace the skirting board.
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Tile re-laying: 25-40 €/m².
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Painting: 12-18 €/m².
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Carpentry (skirting boards, frames).
Each operator charges a different rate and can add up to an extra €300-600.
Indirect costs: the impact on your life and your wallet
Construction time and daily inconvenience
On average, a site repair requires 1 to 2 weeks to be completely finished. During this time:
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Constant noise from hammers and saws.
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Dust and debris throughout the house.
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Unusable areas (bathroom, kitchen).
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Stress and planning to move the family.
How much is your comfort worth? Temporary rental of a portable toilet or extra cleaning costs can add up to an extra €100-200.
Waste management and final cleaning
The works generate about 0.5 m³ of debris per sanitary defect. This implies:
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Container rental (150 € per week).
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Transport to the clean point (€80 return).
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Domestic cleaning service after work (50-100 €).
In total, these cleaning and waste removal services can amount to an additional 15 % of the initial budget.
No-build solutions: relining and internal repair
What is relining?
Relining is a technique that rehabilitates pipes from the inside, without excavation:
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Camera inspection to locate the damage.
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Internal cleaning of the pipeline (high pressure water jet).
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Placement of a sleeve impregnated with thermosetting resin.
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Curing with hot air or ultraviolet light.
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Final check to ensure watertightness.
This process creates a ‘pipe within a pipe’ perfectly bonded to the old duct, sealing cracks and fissures.
Economic and practical benefits
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Without raising floors or masonry.
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Unlicensed: no modification to the public highway.
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No containers or debris management.
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Pipeline operational in 1-2 days instead of 1-2 weeks.
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Overall cost: up to 40% less than traditional repair.
Furthermore, pipes rehabilitated with relining can last for 50-70 years, guaranteeing a long-term investment.
Use cases and real examples
Problems in neighbouring communities
In a block of 20 flats, a fault in the main downpipe usually blocks all the neighbours. If it is decided to open a building site:
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Estimated budget: €8,000-10,000.
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Timing: 10-14 days of intervention.
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Disruption: inability to use toilets and kitchens.
With relining:
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Cost: €4,500.
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Times: 2 days.
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No inconvenience: the service is provided as normal for residents.
Industrial installations and catering
In restaurants or industry, closing a section for construction work can lead to loss of turnover. By cleaning and repairing internally, prolonged closures are avoided and activity is restored to 100% in just 24 hours.
How to plan smart maintenance
To reduce the likelihood of serious and costly breakdowns, combine:
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Preventive unblocking and interior pipe cleaning.
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Camera inspection every 2-3 years to detect micro-cracks.
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Rehabilitation without work at the first sign of damage.
Proactive maintenance reduces the need for major works by 80% and minimises disruption.
Your informed decision
If you ask yourself ‘why choose a no-build solution’, remember:
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Save up to 40% of total costs by avoiding hidden items.
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Recover your home in 48 hours without debris or dust.
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It avoids licences and municipal formalities.
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Enjoy refurbished pipes with a guarantee of more than 50 years.
At Limpiezas Domingo we offer you a detailed proposal. With our no work repair, pit emptying and pipe cleaning techniques, you will enjoy a fast, clean and long-lasting service. Forget about hidden costs and manipulate your budget in your favour.
