So, get her done.

Permits, materials, labor is all expensive, and it only covered the essential repairs to the structure to cover their work. Like the company drywall patched the walls, but they don't do the repainting. They refilled the holes in slab with cement, but they don't replace the flooring. They backfilled the outside trench with dirt, but they don't repair the sidewalk, the driveway, the lawn or the landscaping. Those were all extra costs in addition to the pipe refitting, and he was lucky to have family and friends to help put everything back together.

It might cost less it flint, but for multi-storied houses with basements that also have long freezing winters, it won't be cheap in any case.

wtf?

I think that much of this is deflection of the gross mismanagement of the water system by the Republicans.

I agree than it would be stupid to put new lead pipe in, but there are old existing lead pipe in ever major city in the country. The pipes build up a coating that isolates the lead, and keeps it out of the water flow.

The main problem in Flint was not that there were lead pipes. Those have been there for decades to over a century. The real problem was that the Republicans decided to first suck corrosive water from a polluted river, and second to not put the lead stabilizing treatment into the water. Thus the previously stable lead in the pipes start leaching into the water supply.

I have not problem with replacing the lead pipes, but this is a diversion of the blame from the Governor.