Quick price snapshot
| Your Problem | What It’s Called | Ironclad Price | Austin Range | Ask Why If Over |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Water bill spiked / suspect leak | Leak detection | $350 | $200-$500 | Over $600 |
What this price usually includes
This page isolates Ironclad’s published number for leak detection so you can compare one quote against the Austin market before you book anyone.
At Ironclad, the published reference point is $350. The broader Austin range we track is $200-$500. If you are being quoted over $600, the burden is on the company to explain the access problem, code upgrade, emergency timing, or scope change that pushes it there.
What moves the number up or down
Final pricing usually changes for one of four reasons: access, material grade, code-driven add-ons, or bundled work discovered after diagnosis. A clean quote should spell out which of those is driving the difference instead of hiding it behind vague line items.
Detailed breakdown
Ironclad price: $350 | Austin range: $200–$500
Electronic listening, pressure testing, sometimes thermal imaging. Locates hidden leaks without tearing open walls or floors. Skilled diagnostic work.
What makes it cost more than $350:
- It’s a slab leak. Under your concrete foundation. More equipment, more time. ~$400–$500 for detection. Repair is a completely separate quote.
- Multiple possible locations need testing. More zones = more time.
Slab leak repair reality: If detection confirms a slab leak, you’re looking at: spot repair through the slab (~$1,500–$2,500), reroute through walls/attic (~$2,500–$4,500), or full repipe ($6,000–$15,000+). Single leak on healthy pipe = spot repair. Systemic pipe deterioration = repipe. Ask to see the evidence. A company that jumps to “full repipe” without demonstrating systemic failure is either lazy or running a margin play.
How to compare this quote
Use this checklist before you approve the work:
- Does the scope clearly match water bill spiked / suspect leak or is the company quietly selling a bigger job?
- Are they showing why the quote is above Over $600 with photos, test results, or code notes?
- Are disposal, permit, restoration, and emergency premiums separated so you can see what is real and what is markup?
- If another option exists, did they quote it side by side instead of forcing one path?
If the answer is no, step back and compare against the full Austin plumbing price guide before approving anything.