MaxEntropy_Man wrote:biggest f***ng scam that the plumbers around here run. if you don't get comparable quotes, you are nearly certain to get suckered.

Rishi wrote:

MaxEntropy_Man wrote:biggest f***ng scam that the plumbers around here run. if you don't get comparable quotes, you are nearly certain to get suckered.

>>> How much are they asking?

MaxEntropy_Man wrote:plumbers in this area never give you a breakdown for water heater jobs by parts and labor. the lowes and HD models are substandard and have a poor reputation, so nearly everyone around here go for the brands and models that the supply houses sell directly to the plumbers. and neither the plumbers nor their supply houses want to tell you the actual cost of the part. it's all sold as parts, taxes, and labor as a package. i go apoplectic when they tell me that, but every plumber in this part of the world is like that. the alternative is to go for the substandard lowes/HD deal.  anyway with great difficulty i found out that the actual water heater that he is putting in is $1100. so i figured after taxes he is charging me something like $130-$150/hour of labor.  that seems to be the going labor rate for plumbers in MA. i called a few plumbers with a particular model # and this is the best deal i got. my choices were to be ripped of by a small time conman or a seasoned dacoit. i chose the former.

bw wrote:

MaxEntropy_Man wrote:plumbers in this area never give you a breakdown for water heater jobs by parts and labor. the lowes and HD models are substandard and have a poor reputation, so nearly everyone around here go for the brands and models that the supply houses sell directly to the plumbers. and neither the plumbers nor their supply houses want to tell you the actual cost of the part. it's all sold as parts, taxes, and labor as a package. i go apoplectic when they tell me that, but every plumber in this part of the world is like that. the alternative is to go for the substandard lowes/HD deal.  anyway with great difficulty i found out that the actual water heater that he is putting in is $1100. so i figured after taxes he is charging me something like $130-$150/hour of labor.  that seems to be the going labor rate for plumbers in MA. i called a few plumbers with a particular model # and this is the best deal i got. my choices were to be ripped of by a small time conman or a seasoned dacoit. i chose the former.

guess susskind took a huge financial hit by opting to be a theoretical physicist.

MaxEntropy_Man wrote:

Rishi wrote:

MaxEntropy_Man wrote:biggest f***ng scam that the plumbers around here run. if you don't get comparable quotes, you are nearly certain to get suckered.

>>> How much are they asking?

$1900 for a 50 gallon power vented natural gas hot water heater. that's the best deal i could get.

MaxEntropy_Man wrote:size, technology, and geographical location can change prices tremendously. also whether it is electric or natural gas. mine is natural gas and is power vented. more complex technology than electric. i did my research. $600 won't even cover the cost of the unit.  don't have appliance insurance.

Marathadi-Saamiyaar wrote:

MaxEntropy_Man wrote:size, technology, and geographical location can change prices tremendously. also whether it is electric or natural gas. mine is natural gas and is power vented. more complex technology than electric. i did my research. $600 won't even cover the cost of the unit.  don't have appliance insurance.

Just quick checked Home depot - 50 gal gas water heater 420 to 480$ high efficiency GE or Rheem brand (pretty much the same price I paid 12 yrs back).

Will check about Labor and I am reasonably sure it should be $600 to 650. Will give you some heart burn this weekend....