The actual cost of the marker is only a small part of the marker's overall installed cost. The most expensive cost components are (1) the "Walkdown", or the time it takes to determine the right legend, size and quantity for the marker, (2) the effort it takes to find the correct location again once you have the marker in hand, and then, (3), the time it takes to clean the surface and install the marker. Understand that many pipes require scaffolding to reach, and in certain work environments, negotiation of entrenched union work rules. For example, do the painters or maintenance workers have jurisdiction over the marker installation?

In the simplest cases, the total installed marker cost is $4.00, with the actual marker cost representing only $1.00 to $2.00. In most other installations, however, the total marker costs are over $8.00. And, in some worst case scenarios the installed costs are over $60.00 per mark.