Selling only to the trade (Radon Mitigation)

[wgifford]

Hi,

I need to install a radon in water treatment system for my home. There are only a few options for these systems (I need an aeration system), and I have decided on this one: AIRaider 433-S50X (http://radon.radonaway.com/inventoryD.asp?item_no=28349), list price is $2645.

The company that sells the AIRaider states that they only sell to licensed radon mitigators, but I will do the installation myself. Local radon mitigators (Fairfield county, CT) want ~$5000 for complete system install. After telling them I would do the install, they said they could knock off $500.

I was wondering what people have to say about:
1) Convincing the AIRaider company to sell me the unit at list price or close
2) General comments about companies that "only sell to trade" excluding us DIYers
3) Convincing a local company to provide me the materials so I can do it (with small markup). I am willing to pay for advice/experience, but I have yet to be impressed with the quality of the workmanship for other things that were done to the house by professionals (prior to my owning it)
4) Anybody know a good radon company that is willing to work with a DIYer?


-Wes

 

[ChevyEFI]

1) Come up with a generic business name and get a tax i.d. in your state. Then become a licensed radon mitigator. Then establish a business relationship with the vendor. Worth your time? Probably not. You also have no one to take care of repairs but yourself, so your savings could go **** quickly.
2) I hate it, but if you look at it from all perspectives, it makes sense. The overhead of dealing with a trained installer is far less than getting a DIY who will have bonehead questions. I had to spend time going over clutch release issues with a DIYer who had me build a trans. Not faulting him, but it's an example of why parts cost him more; there's a direct effect on overhead and he's buying in less volume.
3) If they make $2500 minus labor, supplies, and overhead, why would they sell to you for a paltry $500? You're also forgetting their liability in possibly violating law by distributing the product to a non-licensed installer.

I would LOVE to have fewer barriers in getting automotive parts at jobber prices. But there are many reasons for it.

 

[eweber2112]

Just a note that most radon mitigation companies have been tested and licensed by the state so that is why vendors only sell to them. If they sell to DIY and something is done incorrectly they worry about liability.

 

[rponfick]

Just curious, why do you need a water radon system. I am familiar with the sub-slab-****, and ground radon issues, but never heard of water having dangerous amounts of radon. Also, there is quite a controversy as to there is any evidence that radon is harmful, regardless of EPA pronouncements.