Am i getting ripped off?

[Leeboy20]

I had a contractor come out and give me a quote on hooking up my shop heater.( im in British Columbia Canada) Its a 75,000 Mr Heater.I already purchased the vent kit and thermostat. So, he said if i dug the ditch myself, and hung the heater, this is what he would do.

Pull a gas permit, Supply 100 ft yellow flexible line( which he said was $300) ( connected directly to gas meter) run it into my shop, Then pipe from yellow line to heater, he would hook up the vent kit and charge me $1200. Im almost wondering if i should just go propane with a tank out back. What do you think?

 

[e-tek]

Minus the materials ($300 for line and $100 fittings) that's still $800. That's 4 days pay! I'd get another quote....

 

[Leeboy20]

Ya, i was kinda thinkin that. I guess he thought since i called him from his phone book ad, i must have money....

 

[danski0224]

And what do you think that a legit business needs to charge per hour to keep the doors open, cover expenses and make a profit?

I suppose if the place burned down, you would sue, so there is also insurance to pay for.

The price may be a bit high for the scope of work, but it sure isn't 4 days pay for a pro.

I bet there is 5 to 6 hours of billable time, if you include the time to pull the permit.

 

[Hlidskjalf]

Sounds like it could be reasonable, but get another quote if you don't feel good about this guy.

 

[Leeboy20]

Thats the thing, no one calls back anymore, ive called 3 guys and only one called back. How much is that yellow line per foot usually? Do you need a permit for having a propane tank out back and doing it that way? I am thinking of maybe trying propane for a winter , but i would have to convert my new heater over.

 

[jhelrey]

Do it yourself and get it inspected...

Simple to do.

 

[tfi racing]

Minus the materials ($300 for line and $100 fittings) that's still $800. That's 4 days pay! I'd get another quote....

Four days pay? I have been to Saskatoon,I know there is no way a reputable licenced contractor in any trade is going to show up at your door for 25 bucks an hour!

$1200 is a bit on the high side,but not totally out of line,I would call a few more guys and get a few more quotes,someone will be a bit hungrier.

 

[csp]

What type of yellow line is he using? Polyethylene gas line is yellow as is CSST (gastite) stainless flex and so is GasFlex (aluminum with a polyethylene liner and cover).

I don't believe that CSST can be buried.

Four days pay? I have been to Saskatoon,I know there is no way a reputable licenced contractor in any trade is going to show up at your door for 25 bucks an hour!

True, but this isn't a four day job. It's five to six hours at best. A very good friend owns an HVAC business and I've helped him install several of these unit heaters. He's never billed anyone over $400 in labor.

 

[Jim51]

No reason why you can't pull your own permit and have your work inspected. I've seen some pretty shameful workmanship from so called professionals. If you do most of the grunt work it shouldn't take a professional more than a couple of hours to check your work, fire up your unit and cycle it a few times. What you are shopping for is peace of mind and a little advice. Keep fishing, the good guys are out there.

 

[DuluthMN]

GO WITH PROPANE. GET A 120 TANK AND THE PROPANE COMPANY WILL DO THE REST FREE OF CHARGE IF YOU SET THE TANK NEXT TO THE HOUSE. SOrry for all the caps, but I look down when I type and I'm too lazy to correct it.