New job

[reno316]

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]

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.

[reno316]

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]

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.

[reno316]

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."

[hghclsswhitetrsh]

$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.

[reno316]

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.

[Goodburbon]

$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?

[Robb]

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.

[MED]

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.