Why? Because they can, Fred! Terrible shortage of plumbers out there. One of the largest plumbing companies in Charlotte region is down 90 needed plumbers. That's 25% of their work force! Plumbing contracting companies are "firing" builders here because they can't support their needs.

Plus what Jeff Pearl said, too.

Did plumber have to pull permit? Spend 2-3 hours getting parts? Not enough info. Most plumbers in this area are honest, and they will give you an estimate up front. Probably $80.00 per hour plus materials is close to normal. More if they need to pull permit.

Hello Fred - there is no shortage of people who have felt bilked because of an outrageous experience with a tradesperson whether that be a plumber, auto mechanic or something like an attorney, doctor or even a real estate practitioner.  Maybe your friend was mistreated, there is not enough information provided for me to determine that but we do know that word of mouth can be an effective way to get ones point made.   Can a judge decide?  Nah, I am sure that system is rigged too.  

We've had a couple of great plumbers over the years. All have been reasonably priced and do an awesome job.  Still do.

I always pay plumbers by the hour, both for PM and personal services. The only exception is if it is something like installing a new water heater which is usually billed at a flat rate here. 

Rates for plumbers here on the beach range from $90-$120/hr. If I use trades from the mainland, their hourly rates are usually higher because they add in travel time to and from the job so I use beachside trades as much as possible. Plus the goodwill of giving the business to local small businesses is important to me.

I have never had a bad experience with any of the plumbers I used but cannot say the same about a certain electrician. But that's another conversation!!!

I remember a story explaining why Pros charge what they do!

A homeowner was having an issue with a creaking in a wooden floor. He called around looking for a handyman to repair, pricing everyone. He was quoted from $50 to $545 for the repair.

He decided to go with the cheapest one in town and hired him. A month later, the creaking started again. So, he decided to contact the higher price Pro.

The Pro cam out and viewed the issue, and went to the hardware store to purchase the new tool (hammer) needed for the job. He than cam back to the site and used the new hammer only once and told the client that he will send him the bill.

2-months later the client called yelling at the Pro saying he thought he had to pay to much for the Pro's services...

The Pro asked him if the problem came back and the client said NO, the Pro than said well the problem was resolve and started explaining why he charge so much. He said the $45 of $545 charge was for the new tool (hammer) he needed to fix the problem, the client than said what the hell was the $500 charge for?

"KNOWING WHERE TO HIT IT CORRECTLY"

Should have gone to plumbing school instead of law school. Better return!

Because they weren't able to make enough as lawyers!

Hey Fred Griffin Florida Real Estate A few years ago I wrote a blogpost about this subject. Check it out you might get a laugh out of it. https://activerain.com/droplet/5hbz

Why does a dog lick its cajones?  

Because it can. 

I always get written estimates.  If it makes sense, I move forward. If not, I get more estimates. 

My recent experiences were not all that bad.  

Yes, they are costly.  I always obtain bids, but they still charge a diagnosis fee or for coming.  So if I get 3 bids, I easily spend $250 - $300 for the bids. 🙄

3 hours? $1300? That seems a little high if it was just labor

I have used the same plumber several times. He is competent a I do not feel that I am overpaying.

They charge what they do because they can.  Look at how much we make at times.

They charge an arm & a leg plus parts. Sometimes it can be totally gross to do their job.

The estimate that your friend got didn't seem out of line. 

I have always had excellent service with the plumber I use.  I have never felt overcharged.

It sounds like you have one case study of someone who felt overcharged, and are now making a blanket statement of that entire profession. 

Based on that, should we ask why real estate agents are so bad at returning phone calls?  I had a case where the agent didn't return my phone call, so that must make it true of the entire profession.

Most people in most professions are people like you - they are trying to do a good job and make a decent living.

Those plumber bills can be very expensive!   

They do not charge too much money.
Just take a poll here.
Who mows their own grass?
Many will say "MY time is worth too much to be spent mowing grass."
The plumber says, "Your time is worth $1,3000 to me. Pay up."
Because I value the time (and life) of others, my plumber finishes a job and asks, 'What was that worth to you?" And I pay him double what the going rate would be.
I do not believe a tradesman is ever over paid.
Crooks are alwasy overpaidl
My advise is 'don't create crooks!" 
And as luck would have it, upon return from vactation, I see my disposal is not keeping the water on the right side of the enclosure. I don't think this is rocket sceince. The real problem is, The consumer products available to me at the Depot AND Lowes is a much inferior product to that which the tradesman has access to. 
For example the water heater at HD comes with a vinyl drain connection. Actuating this drain one time results in the fitting leaking perpetually. The trademan will install exactly the same brand but the fitings will be BRASS. Perhaps the manufacturer knows NO ONE EVER drains the water heater to clean the tank. But for no extra dollars the tradesman installs a higher quality product. If one chooses a trandesman that goes to the DEPOT....the red flags should be waving.
This puts the DIY'er in a very uncomfortable situation.
And is the favorite retort of real estate agents? "You get what you pay for."

Plumbers ask the same thing about real estate agents and brokers. If you know how to change a wax seal, solder a joint or work with pex tubing, or to replace the gut's of a toilet, you are not dependent on calling the guy or gal with the snake and pipe wrench. Watch a video, become DIY and it helps if you grew up around household repairs. 

The plumber I work with knows things and as such, he shares them for a price. Similar to what a doctor, attorney or CPA would do. Add agent too. This guy has all the tools, a truck, savvy, strong as a bull, crawls under floors and in ceiling spaces and his work is impeccable. Are there cheaper alternatives? Sure and I have used them. There is something about a professional plumber where you know his work will last. Worth every 1ct

Probably from being driven crazy by the plops of all the drips!

The plumbers I work with are very reasonable.  The best ones charge by the job.  I remember one time they were installing a water heater and it turned into a three plumber job with loads of swear words over four hours.  At the end of the installation, having been there representing the seller who was away, I asked how much the job was actually going to cost the seller.  It was the flat rate they quoted on the phone.  THAT is the way to get future business.  And boy do they still get my recommendation.

We have a good relationship with our plumbers and are fairly billed.

I've been using the same plumber for years, their prices are very reasonable but I still always get three estimates so the homeowners can see. Everything in my area has gone up, all about supply and demand.

Because we allow the codes to require us to use plumbers for simple jobs that anyone can do.

Then supply and demand takes over from there.

Fred, 

I am late here.  There are a lot of good answers, and it depends on so many variables.  All is well in our "water conduits", etc. and I have not seen a bill in a long time, here.  Happy  Monday.  A

It depends on the plumber.  In my experience, it is best to use smaller contractors that do not have big advertising budgets.  We just hired a individual for work in our rental.  He quoted us a price and then charged us less. 

That's because of supply and demand!

She says 3 hours of work? What kind of work? 

My best friend's husband is a retired GC, plumbing is his specialty. He can make things work that no one else could and he never wants me to pay him. So I sneak C-notes into his truck and tell his wife to go get them!

Plumbers are worth their weight if they are good. If they get it done and right, I don't really care what they charge!

One answer is we need more trade schools to train more plumbers.

Supply and demand.  People will pay anything when the plumbing backs up!

They have a shitty job to do.  Much of the time it involves messy, smelly stuff, and getting into awkward positions.  Time spent also includes getting to the job and back, and shopping for the parts.  Plumbing skills are good to have so you can avoid some of the simpler fixes.

because you have to have it done.