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I'm quitting my job in software and going to become a plumber. Apparently they are making a HELL of a lot more than I am.
$700 to install a water heater? YHGTBSM!
Grrrr.
(That is all.)
speedysst
07-10-2012, 14:10
My brother gave up installing countertops to become a plumber. Eight more months and he will have his master plumber certification. The job pays well (especially emergencies) and is steady work for him and his family.
My brother gave up installing countertops to become a plumber. Eight more months and he will have his master plumber certification. The job pays well (especially emergencies) and is steady work for him and his family.
If he's licensed to do water heater installs, can get the permit from Westminster, and can beat $700, I'd love to talk to him.
HBARleatherneck
07-10-2012, 14:16
you can pull the permit yourself as a homeowner. if you need a permit in your county/city.
and there are a bunch of guys on this forum, who could probably help you install it. It is very, very easy. I would gladly help you, but I am 80 miles away. And I have to watch my kids everyday.
is that $700 including the water heater? or just the labor/trip charge? It looks like a typical 40 gallon water heater will cost you between $330-550.
hghclsswhitetrsh
07-10-2012, 14:23
$700 is cheap. Because you work in an office you think your time is worth more than someone who has a blue collar? I won't even touch a water heater install on the side for no less than $400 labor. We charge $1400 for a plumbers grade tank at my work. Which is about $750-1000 less when you compare apples to apples with other reputable companies like the one hat employs me. Why don't you call applewood, Ben Franklin, etc then give that plumber a kiss when you give him a check for $700.
Don't forget you get what you pay for.
hghclsswhitetrsh
07-10-2012, 14:27
Oh and btw I know several plumbers, electricians, hvac technicians that make well over 90k a year. And they don't even develop software.
reno316,
I've done 3 in my lifetime, pretty easy to do if you can operate some handtools. Toughest part is getting the old one out and disposing of it. If you got a helper you can get it done and the old one out after work. No big deal. There are recyclers who will pay you to take your old heater, not much but hey...
Do you really need a PERMIT to replace a water heater?!? Who knew!?!
Teufelhund
07-10-2012, 14:37
That's crazy expensive. Which is why I recently replaced my water heater myself. Never done it before, no experience with plumbing, and it really wasn't that bad. It took me about 4 hours, 3 trips to Lowe's, 2 calls to my brother, and I only threw 1 wrench across the basement. Totally worth it IMO.
How much is your time really worth? If it's less than $100/hour, do it yourself.
you can pull the permit yourself as a homeowner. if you need a permit in your county/city.
and there are a bunch of guys on this forum, who could probably help you install it. It is very, very easy. I would gladly help you, but I am 80 miles away. And I have to watch my kids everyday.
is that $700 including the water heater? or just the labor/trip charge? It looks like a typical 40 gallon water heater will cost you between $330-550.
No that's just labor. I would GLADLY do it myself, but with the house going on the market in a week, I'd rather be able to say "A licensed plumber installed a new water heater" than "Yeah, did it myself... it works."
Because you work in an office you think your time is worth more than someone who has a blue collar?
No, sir, I don't think that at all, and I'm pretty certain I never said that.
It took me about 4 hours, 3 trips to Lowe's, 2 calls to my brother, and I only threw 1 wrench across the basement.
[ROFL1]
Yeah, my father has an old axiom about "There is no home improvement job that can be completed in less than three trips to Home Depot."
tradesman get pissy this time of year.... 110 degrees next to the last ac I was servicing and the Renter was mad it was 80 inside.
it usually takes me 1.5 hrs to do a water heater assuming you don't have to haul it off in buckets.
hghclsswhitetrsh
07-10-2012, 15:06
The whirlpool, state, ken more water heater is the very worst water heater you can get. Google that shit. As a home owner if you replace it the best tank available to the public is the GE from home depot. And yes a permit is required by law. Also if our house burns down, they prove the fire was caused by improper installation and no permit was pulled, Insurance can wash their hands of your claim.
rheem are available thru hd supply solutions
Goodburbon
07-10-2012, 15:23
$700 is cheap. Because you work in an office you think your time is worth more than someone who has a blue collar? I won't even touch a water heater install on the side for no less than $400 labor. We charge $1400 for a plumbers grade tank at my work. Which is about $750-1000 less when you compare apples to apples with other reputable companies like the one hat employs me. Why don't you call applewood, Ben Franklin, etc then give that plumber a kiss when you give him a check for $700.
Don't forget you get what you pay for.
I can't say how much I disagree with this ethic. It is not worth $200/hour to install a water heater for someone.
You get what you pay for.....how about a reacharound at those rates?
I really don't get it either. It's 4 connections, and that's counting the vent on top. The hard part is up and down the stairs if it's in a conventional basementwhich is all I know. I imagine an appt complex on the 3rd floor is a b*tch.
I should look into doing this on the side. Even installing them at half price, that kind of money would really do wonders for my ammo fund.
I can't say how much I disagree with this ethic. It is not worth $200/hour to install a water heater for someone.
You get what you pay for.....how about a reacharound at those rates?
It took me all of about an hour to change out my hot water heater. There is no way I would be pay somebody $400+ in labor to to this.
...the whole reason why DIY is so big now...people are tired of taking it up the tailpipe.
I had Applewood come out on a routine furnace clean/inspection. I threw them out of my house when their quote was 3x the cost of every inspection I had up to that point.
trucks aren't free. gas insurance. workers comp shop rent.
even then it should be about $75/ hr.
hghclsswhitetrsh
07-10-2012, 16:41
I can't say how much I disagree with this ethic. It is not worth $200/hour to install a water heater for someone.
You get what you pay for.....how about a reacharound at those rates?
Sure when would you like me to come put a water heater in?
hghclsswhitetrsh
07-10-2012, 16:47
It took me all of about an hour to change out my hot water heater. There is no way I would be pay somebody $400+ in labor to to this.
...the whole reason why DIY is so big now...people are tired of taking it up the tailpipe.
I had Applewood come out on a routine furnace clean/inspection. I threw them out of my house when their quote was 3x the cost of every inspection I had up to that point.
You're right. And when I go to your house and see the craptacular job you did on your heater it makes me laugh. Figured into my labor is all my personal tools, gas, weekend is after hours for me, new water shut off, gas shut off, water flex connectors, gas flex connectors, expansion tank connection, changing the wye to double wall, increasing the flue size to 4". So I probably make right at $200 cash profit, and it takes me right at 2.75 hours to do the job the RIGHT way. I should have been a little bit more specific as to what is included. But I didnt think it would inspire a fountain of tears.
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