Every plumber who's looked at copper press has done the same sum at the counter: a 15mm press coupling costs more than a capillary coupling, so how can press be cheaper? The answer is that fitting price is only one line in the cost of a joint. This guide walks through the real numbers so you can run the comparison on your own jobs.
What goes into the cost of one joint
A brazed or soldered joint and a press joint have different cost structures:
- Brazed joint: cheap fitting, plus filler rod, flux (where used), gas for the torch, cleaning time, heating time, cool-down time, and — on occupied or commercial sites — the cost of a hot work permit, fire watch and fire extinguisher on hand.
- Press joint: a dearer fitting, plus a few seconds of tool time. No consumables, no flame, no cool-down. The big cost is up-front: the press tool itself.
Real fitting prices: Standard Press 15mm water range
These are current PSA prices (inc. GST) for the Standard Press water range:
| Fitting | SKU | 15mm | 20mm | 25mm |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coupling | PFW001–003 | $1.89 | $3.14 | $4.59 |
| 90° Elbow | PFW058–060 | $2.82 | $4.08 | $8.04 |
| Equal Tee | PFW094–096 | $4.25 | $7.92 | $12.55 |
| End Cap | PFW122–124 | $1.31 | $2.17 | $3.23 |
A coupling and an elbow carry two joints each and a tee carries three, so per joint you're typically paying around $1–$1.50 in fitting cost at 15mm.
The time side of the sum
Press time per joint is a matter of seconds once the tube is cut, deburred and marked. Brazing time per joint varies a lot with position (a ceiling joint over insulation is very different to a bench joint), but cleaning, heating, filling and cooling adds up to minutes, not seconds. The easiest way to compare honestly is to use your own figures:
- Count the joints on a typical job (a standard bathroom rough-in easily runs to dozens).
- Estimate the minutes you save per joint by pressing instead of brazing.
- Multiply by your charge-out rate.
- Subtract the extra fitting cost per joint and your brazing consumables.
If the time saved is worth more than the fitting premium, press wins on that job — and the tool pays itself off across the jobs that follow.
The tool cost
The press tool is the real hurdle. The Novopress ACO153 kit with DN15–DN32 copper jaws, two batteries and a charger is $3,514.99. Divide that by the jobs you'll do in a year to see what it adds per job — for a crew doing steady residential rough-ins, it's usually a small number by the end of the first year. Before buying any tool, check the jaw profile matches the fittings you'll run — see V-Profile vs M-Profile Press Jaws.
The costs that don't show up in the sum
- Hot work restrictions: on occupied buildings, schools, hospitals and many commercial sites, a flame-free method can be the difference between working today and waiting for a permit.
- Fire risk near timber and insulation: no flame means no scorched framing and no risk of a smouldering fire after you've left.
- Wet lines: brazing a line that won't fully drain is slow and frustrating. Press joints can be made on damp pipe (the tube still needs to be clean and properly prepared).
- Consistency: a press joint made to the fitting's insertion depth with a correctly matched jaw is repeatable, which matters when apprentices are making joints.
Where brazing still makes sense
Press isn't the answer everywhere. Sizes beyond your jaw set, one-off repairs where you don't own a tool, and some specialist applications still suit brazing. Many trade businesses run both: press for the bulk of rough-in work, the torch for the odd jobs.
For an overview of the range itself, see our earlier piece on why Standard Press fittings suit Aussie plumbers, and our guide to stocking the van for copper press.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are copper press fittings more expensive than capillary fittings?
Yes, per piece. A 15mm Standard Press coupling is $1.89 at PSA. The saving comes from labour time, no consumables and no hot work requirements, not from the fitting price.
Do I need a hot work permit for copper press?
Press jointing is flame-free, so it doesn't involve the open flame that triggers hot work requirements for brazing. Always follow the site's own rules, but press is commonly chosen precisely because it avoids hot work.
Are press joints as reliable as brazed joints?
When the tube is cut square, deburred, marked for insertion depth and pressed with the correct jaw profile, press joints are a proven method. Standard Press fittings are WaterMarked to AS 3688 and carry a 25-year warranty.
How long does it take for a press tool to pay for itself?
It depends on your joint count and charge-out rate. Multiply the minutes saved per joint by your rate and by joints per year, subtract the extra fitting cost, and compare with the tool price.