Answer: -Down here in Texas, the going rate for a plumber is as low as $45/hr and as high as $75/hr plus materials and any other expenses. (ie) permits etc. I don't know about the price of a bottle of "gas" where you live, but I know $10.00 will cover anything I can screw my torch to. Labor is labor, whether he is sweating copper, digging a ditch or pounding a nail. Get another bid to keep 'em honest. I never kike to take $$$ away from my fellow contractors, but that's steep. -Your plumber should have told you the real reason that a service call is so expensive. He has business overhead like advertising, office space and equipment and personell to pay for. For a professional service it is worth the price.