The $4000 water heater replacement

[HoosierBuddy]

So...yesterday I got a call from a homeowner looking for some water heater advice. As I work for a utility, I get these calls once every blue moon. Basically someone who is trying to ask anyone who might have an opinion what they should do with heating or water heating or pool heating or a backup generator or similar.

This lady was contemplating 2 bids to replace a 50 gallon natural gas water heater at her home.

$1100 for a direct replacement of the tank style water heater.

$4000 for replacement of the tank style water heater with a tankless water heater.

Personally, I never try to price someone else's job, so I resisted to the temptation to say "HOLLY MOLLEY LADY!"...I just explained the pluses and minuses of each type of heater, suggested that it is always helpful to get a couple of bids when getting major projects done around the house, and left it up to her to read between the lines.

As we hung up, she told me that her plumber was the best plumber in the county, knew her home as he always did her work, and she'd never CONSIDER using anyone else.

[Dr Evil Voice On] "Righhhhhhht"

Phil

 

[Falcon67]

Guy could make a decent living billing water heater setups like that. Oy.

 

[Trey T]

The $1100 for direct replacement sounds about right (given the limited info) and you should've advise her to get more bids as those two cost estimates are not exactly the same scope of work (one is direct replacement, one is replacement with different technology).

 

[HoosierBuddy]

The $1100 for direct replacement sounds about right (given the limited info) and you should've advise her to get more bids as those two cost estimates are not exactly the same scope of work (one is direct replacement, one is replacement with different technology).

I thought it was implied that both quotes were from the same guy.

Phil

 

[Trey T]

I wouldn't say that's two bids, it's one bid with two options. What i'm talking about is getting "competitive bids" from 3 contractors or more to understand the difference in service.

In the future, I suggest that you advise them to clarify the description of work need to be completed and get at least 3 bids from contractor. i.e. description of work is "to directly replace the natural gas heater with a similar capacity for my home."

In my area, I believe it's dangerous to not get a "competitive bids" when the homeowner does not know a thing about the repair. Another word, I only recommend working with a single contractor if you trust their overall service.

 

[danski0224]

That price seems in-line for a tankless.

Way different from swapping out a tank water heater.

I'd go Vertex myself.

 

[Charles (in GA)]

The $4000 could be not far off if the plumber had determined that the existing gas line was too small for a tankless unit, and new gas line would need to be run (and possibly even a new meter). Also, the venting requirements of a 90% condensing unit can add substantially to the work.

Charles

 

[zmaxmotorsports]

So...yesterday I got a call from a homeowner looking for some water heater advice. As I work for a utility, I get these calls once every blue moon. Basically someone who is trying to ask anyone who might have an opinion what they should do with heating or water heating or pool heating or a backup generator or similar.

This lady was contemplating 2 bids to replace a 50 gallon natural gas water heater at her home.

$1100 for a direct replacement of the tank style water heater.

$4000 for replacement of the tank style water heater with a tankless water heater.

Personally, I never try to price someone else's job, so I resisted to the temptation to say "HOLLY MOLLEY LADY!"...I just explained the pluses and minuses of each type of heater, suggested that it is always helpful to get a couple of bids when getting major projects done around the house, and left it up to her to read between the lines.

As we hung up, she told me that her plumber was the best plumber in the county, knew her home as he always did her work, and she'd never CONSIDER using anyone else.

[Dr Evil Voice On] "Righhhhhhht"

Phil

So wy the ell is she calling to bug you then?

 

[Showkey]

That's often what makes tankless option an impossible payback.

It gets worse when the tankless does not meet households needs or actually causes a fuel and water use increase over the tank choice. Happens all the time.

Then many tankless become a HIGH maintenance item to add further insult.

 

[chuckcrj]

I wouldn't say that's two bids, it's one bid with two options. What i'm talking about is getting "competitive bids" from 3 contractors or more to understand the difference in service.

In the future, I suggest that you advise them to clarify the description of work need to be completed and get at least 3 bids from contractor. i.e. description of work is "to directly replace the natural gas heater with a similar capacity for my home."

In my area, I believe it's dangerous to not get a "competitive bids" when the homeowner does not know a thing about the repair. Another word, I only recommend working with a single contractor if you trust their overall service.

One thing you're not saying is that taking the cheapest bid is a good way to get the crappiest work.

Overall she trusts them so nothing wrong with her using them for the replacement. They don't want to lose her business so they likely won't try to rip her off.

I've installed many water heaters both tank and tankless and those prices are right on for a good contractor.

Personally I prefer tanks due to reasons mentioned in the previous post.

 

[danski0224]

Man of few posts ^^^^

 

[chuckcrj]

Man of few posts ^^^^

True dat, at least on this forum

 

[gregtwojeeps]

So wy the ell is she calling to bug you then?

There ya go again Z, using logic and confusing the whole team.

Maybe the lady saw the OP in a TV commercial for the utility company and she just wanted to "eyeball" him in person ?

 

[Cairo94507]

I replaced my 100 gallon water heater with a tankless with a built-in recirculation pump. It was about $4K to buy and install which included a new gas line, new venting and a return line for the recirculation pump feature. House is 3K sq. ft. one-level. I thought $4K, which included everything was quite fair. Lots of work and nice new copper piping too. The benefit is now after my wife gets out of the shower, when I get n, there is hot water. Before, not so much.

 

[PT Doc]

The 2 of you were able to go through 100 gallons of hot water? Wow.

That would 2 25 minute showers. What?

Your house, your body, your money. Gots to be happy!

 

[zmaxmotorsports]

There ya go again Z, using logic and confusing the whole team.

Maybe the lady saw the OP in a TV commercial for the utility company and she just wanted to "eyeball" him in person ?

 

[cowboyjosh]

The 2 of you were able to go through 100 gallons of hot water? Wow.

That would 2 25 minute showers. What?

Your house, your body, your money. Gots to be happy!

I live in a southern-ish burb of Denver where I joke water cost a buck a gallon, and just took a 20 minute shower when I got home from the Broncos pre-season game, i never feel anything less then 20 min will wash the smell of the stadium away.