Replacing my heater and the work involved

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doncaruana

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Aug 25, 2011
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Northville, Mi
Pool Size
15500
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Salt Water Generator
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Pentair Intellichlor IC-40
I've decided to replace my 13 year old Mastertemp 250 before it fails completely on me. I got a quote from a local guy for installation and disposal for $4200 (I'm in southeastern Michigan). I can get one for anywhere from 2900 to 3300 which means this guy is charging me $900-$1300 to do this install. The old one was in working order and all the connections work and are in place. This seems like a lot to disconnect a couple of water lines, a gas line, and a few wires (although he also said he'd "most likely have to change the unions for the heater and plumbing as well").

Am I oversimplifying the work involved here? For that matter, why would he even "most likely" need to change the unions - I though that was kind of the point of having unions - so you didn't have to change them.

I'm not opposed to paying someone to do work, even when it's work I know I could do myself, because I've taken better care of my pool than my body. lol. But I also don't want to feel like I'm getting taken to the cleaners.

Can someone educate me please?
 
Just to add to my own thread here...talked to another place local and they would charge $400 to do the work...but $3900 for the heater! Not sure if they are just marking stuff up or baking labor into the heater "cost".

Frankly, the $400 sounds a lot more reasonable and what I was thinking but still looking for feedback here...
 
doncaruana said:
Just to add to my own thread here...talked to another place local and they would charge $400 to do the work...but $3900 for the heater! Not sure if they are just marking stuff up or baking labor into the heater "cost".

Frankly, the $400 sounds a lot more reasonable and what I was thinking but still looking for feedback here...
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The guys also charging you for old heater disposal, company work vehicle, office space, Worker’s Comp, medical insurance and all that stuff. Get a few more quotes and decide.
 
doncaruana said:
I've decided to replace my 13 year old Mastertemp 250 before it fails completely on me. I got a quote from a local guy for installation and disposal for $4200 (I'm in southeastern Michigan). I can get one for anywhere from 2900 to 3300 which means this guy is charging me $900-$1300 to do this install. The old one was in working order and all the connections work and are in place. This seems like a lot to disconnect a couple of water lines, a gas line, and a few wires (although he also said he'd "most likely have to change the unions for the heater and plumbing as well").

Am I oversimplifying the work involved here? For that matter, why would he even "most likely" need to change the unions - I though that was kind of the point of having unions - so you didn't have to change them.

I'm not opposed to paying someone to do work, even when it's work I know I could do myself, because I've taken better care of my pool than my body. lol. But I also don't want to feel like I'm getting taken to the cleaners.

Can someone educate me please?
Click to expand...
Many times. on a heater that old, the unions become warped and won't seal on a new heater of the same type. I would never reuse them on one that old or I could expect to have to return for free to replace them at least 50% of the time.
A company has many more expenses that just the cost of the heater and labor, as has been explained. Just the time to dispose of a used heater can take quite a while in many areas.
 
I get all the "company expenses" part, but this guy is also an independent contractor - he's not a full-on company so he doesn't have a lot of those expenses. The full company, with two brick and mortar fronts, was only going to charge $400 so there's that.

I guess the point is, are you guys saying you think $4200 to install a heater that anybody can order for $3000 is a reasonable price? Because it still seems awful high to me.
 
doncaruana said:
I get all the "company expenses" part, but this guy is also an independent contractor - he's not a full-on company so he doesn't have a lot of those expenses. The full company, with two brick and mortar fronts, was only going to charge $400 so there's that.

I guess the point is, are you guys saying you think $4200 to install a heater that anybody can order for $3000 is a reasonable price? Because it still seems awful high to me.
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Independant contractor has just as many expenses! (Sorry just got done doing my taxes and it was painful).

Does the $3k estimate include taxes and shipping and warranty for DIY installation? Think of it this way: If you were going to spend 1/2 a day at someone house installing a heater, how much profit would you need to make it worthwhile given inflation, inevitable customer hassles, etc? In the end it doesnt matter what anyone else thinks. I’ll probably do it myself when I replace my heater.
 
doncaruana said:
I guess the point is, are you guys saying you think $4200 to install a heater that anybody can order for $3000 is a reasonable price? Because it still seems awful high to me.
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I think it is reasonable. Usually Pool Contractor pricing is 2X internet price.

You will get a very different warranty from Pentair for DIY install versus Professional Installation.

And you accept all the hassles if the heater arrives damaged or does not work out of the box.
 
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Bperry said:
Independant contractor has just as many expenses! (Sorry just got done doing my taxes and it was painful).

Does the $3k estimate include taxes and shipping and warranty for DIY installation? Think of it this way: If you were going to spend 1/2 a day at someone house installing a heater, how much profit would you need to make it worthwhile given inflation, inevitable customer hassles, etc? In the end it doesnt matter what anyone else thinks. I’ll probably do it myself when I replace my heater.
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The $3000 is how much I could get the heater for, taxes and shipping included. It's the $1200 for a simple disconnect/reconnect that is giving me pause. It's not like new water, gas, or electrical lines all need to be run. It's all right there.
 
ajw22 said:
I think it is reasonable. Usually Pool Contractor pricing is 2X internet price.

You will get a very different warranty from Pentair for DIY install versus Professional Installation.

And you accept all the hassles if the heater arrives damaged or does not work out of the box.
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According to pentair, I get one extra year of warranty and that's it. As far as the 2x...this is not a brand new install... It's a disconnect/reconnect.
 
doncaruana said:
The $3000 is how much I could get the heater for, taxes and shipping included. It's the $1200 for a simple disconnect/reconnect that is giving me pause. It's not like new water, gas, or electrical lines all need to be run. It's all right there.
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Your heater is only 13 years old? Mine was 20 when it died. If its been taken care of you may get some more life out of it.

I guess you could also try a plumber?
 

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doncaruana said:
According to pentair, I get one extra year of warranty and that's it. As far as the 2x...this is not a brand new install... It's a disconnect/reconnect.
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The best thing would be for you to install it yourself. Just like everything else in this world, the charge is what the traffic will bear. If that wasn't an amount that is regular in your area the company wouldn't charge it or would go out of business by being overpriced.
 
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