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How much should water heater installation cost?

WillC — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 22:04:40 GMT

In your mind or experience, how much should it cost to have a standard (tank) gas water heater installed? How much have you paid?

In 1995, I paid $150 to have one installed in Atlanta. I have read a few DIY boards where they say it should take a home owner 2 or 3 hours to do the job themselves, which I won't do, and that $300 is too much to pay for professional installation. However, the few plumbers & handymen companies I've called in the Chicago area are quoting me from $900 to $2500. They use water heaters that are difficult to price check because these you can't get places like Home Depot or Lowes. Doing some digging, I have found some information on them, and they cost between $200 and $300. Which means the installation charges are $600 to $2200 -- for something that should take less than 3 hours of work!

Is it unreasonable for me to think it should cost the price of a water heater (plus markup, I suppose) and 3 hours of install time? 300 + 50 + 3*125 = $725 seems to be a reasonable maximum.

Lost--Need Advice

debbi — Sun, 15 Feb 2009 00:43:49 GMT

My beloved husband is one of the handiest, most capable people I know, and he loves doing home projects. Unfortunately, he doesn't have time in his life to pursue this as well as work, spend time with his family, and engage in his many other activities of interest. However, due to his capabilities, in the 18 years we have lived in our almost hundred-year-old house, he has never allowed me to call in ANYONE to do ANY work of ANY kind. Therefore, I have no idea how involved tasks are nor, more importantly, the cost of such things. And, therefore, I have absolutely no idea whether we can afford to have any, let alone all, of the work I'd like done.

There is a lot of work that needs to be done on our house--some of it simple (painting rooms), some more complex (finishing installing the bathroom my husband started to install, finding a leak he can't locate...). Especially in this economy, I am certain there are plenty of reliable, conscientious people in need of work who would be willing to do the less-skilled labor for a reasonable rate and I'd like to be in a position to help out people who are in need--a mutually beneficial relationship. Am I looking for a Handyman? I don't need a Picasso (I have actually painted rooms myself and know how relatively simple it is and also that it looks bad when done poorly), so do I really need a Painter? And then there are the items that I know require skilled labor, and I don't know whether it is better (& more or less expensive) to call in individual providers (plumbers, carpenters, etc) or use a contractor to coordinate all the skilled work.

I don't even know where to start, and I can't know whether or not we can afford ANYTHING until I have a place to start looking, and then can actually start DOING the looking. And again, don't have much money to play with here.

Advice, please.

Thanks!

/db

one stop solar experience / review.

james6060 — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 17:26:10 GMT

I live in Orlando and just got the newest swimming pool solar system for my pool. Does an excellent job and ive noticed a good increase in temperature .. making our pool usable again for this winter.. One stop solar did the work. they showed up on time and the installation looks professional.. Ill keep you posted soon as I am going back for the hot water heating savings soon.

Would recommend.

Power / Telephone Lines

DudeFromThatPlace — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 19:58:41 GMT

We have numerous unsightly (and potentially dangerous) electrical lines running from the poles to our house, more than we should. I expect to have three (power/phone/cable, for example) but we have upwards of seven, some of which have to be obsolete. Whom do I contact to find out which lines do what, and which can be removed? Do I pay an electrician to examine them, or is this a power company question?

Thanks!

IGT Slot machine Techie

LanaInVegas — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 19:56:20 GMT

I need a techie that can fix an IGt Spin Till You Win slot machine that has a 3300 error code in the Winner Paid window. Can you believe I live in Vegas and can't find any service that repairs slot machines.

Parking issues - ARGH!

ParkwayBunny — Tue, 03 Apr 2007 17:25:52 GMT

Is it too much to ask to be able to park in front of my own house once in a while?? Ever since we moved in (a little over a month ago) the guy next door to me parks his car in front of my house and the woman next door on the other side parks her ginormous SUV in front of my house too - I can barely get into my own driveway! And what if I'd like to just pull up in front once in a while? Or to have some space for my friends to park when they come over? I've asked both people nicely to not park in front of my house but they ignore me. The house was vacant for a couple of months and I guess they both got used to being able to park there whenever they wanted. But now I am here and I am getting sick and tired of having their cars in front EVERY single damn day.

Ok, so I know in the grand scheme of things this is a minor issue but it still burns my toast!

my neighbor's plum tree

erin_tigs — Fri, 10 Nov 2006 19:55:17 GMT

Hi Folks,

My next-door neighbor has a plum tree which hangs over into our yard. So here's my question: is it okay for my family to pick the plums that are on our side of the fence? Otherwise they fall on the deck (and there are a lot of them!), which isn't great for the deck and is a pain to clean up (especially when the mess wasn't from us in the first place.) I'm thinking we're in the right to pick them, but on the few times that the neighbors have seen us, they've been quite upset. What do you all think?

Thanks!

Need honest reputable auto mechanic in Savannah Georgia near SCAD

KatieJ — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 15:42:19 GMT

My son is at the Savannah College of Art and Design in Savannah Georgia and his 94 Camry won't start. It's probably the starter. I called my mechanic here in Florida who I trust completely and he said it shouldn't run more than $300 for everything. But the mechanic I spoke to referred from SCAD said it would cost about $500, the starter alone costing $325. I did an online search of my own that proved that figure to be grossly inflated and also found repair estimates online that were between $190 and $250. I joined Angie's list today just to find a mechanic and turned up a big fat 0. Anyone know of an honest reputable auto mechanic in that area or the best way to find one?

Thanks in advance

Stucco

Janjan — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 16:57:07 GMT

I have three estimates from three different stucco companies and these estimates are very different. Why so different?

Contractors Open House - Taking Bids on Total Gut Rehab Sunday, 18 October, 2009 10:00am to 4:00pm 2925 NORTH MOODY CHICAGO 60634

Tamara — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 01:08:50 GMT

I have just purchased a home on the North West side of Chicago. Rather than spend weeks talking to contractors, I have decided to hold an open house for tradesmen. I am looking for

General Contractors
Plumbers
Electricians
Painters
Carpenters
Demolition Crew
Roofer
Hardwood Flooring Refinisher and Installer
Heating Installation

I am having an open house so that you can come over, walk through the property and provide me an estimate of repairs. They can be emailed to me after the open house. I will want three references of recent work as well as proof of insurance. When you arrive, I will give you a fact sheet on what needs to be done and you may make suggestions as well. Bring your tape measure, you are going to need it.

The house needs a total inside rehab (and totally is empty), from replacing some floors, refinishing floors, walls, all plumbing, electrical, minor roof repair and installation of new appliances, etc. The open house is from 10:00am to 4:00pm on Sunday, 18 October, 2009. The house is approximately 6100 West and 2900 North. I am going to live in the house so I am looking for quality craftsmen/tradesmen to do the job. I am not interested in flipping this, so quality of work is very important.

If interested, please send an email to

2925house@gmail.com

remember to check your spam or junk mail for replies. I am 100% legitimate and just want to get as much information as possible without wasting your time. If your references check out and your bid is reasonable, I will hire you to do the job. During your visit, I request that you not discuss pricing with other contractors as this will eliminate you from the process.

If you've any questions, don't hesitate to drop me an email. I will reply quickly and if you include your phone number, I will gladly call you back.

Thanks!

TMG

CONTRACTORS OPEN HOUSE TRADESMEN NEEDED FOR TOTAL GUT REHAB, SUNDAY, 18 OCTOBER, 2009 10:00AM TO 4:00PM 2925 NORTH MOODY CHICAGO 60634

Tamara — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 01:11:08 GMT

Paying a contractor

spwalker75 — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 01:06:04 GMT

I've come to an agreement with a contractor I found on the list to replace my roof. He has an A rating. He is asking for half of the agreed upon price up front. Is this an acceptable practice?

Thanks,

Steve

Rentals - Cars

phyrst — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 15:42:10 GMT

Has anyone had any experience with Affordable Rent a Car in Orlando?

ELEGANT FLOOR SERVICES - Silver Spring, MD 20910

Steve55 — Fri, 21 Sep 2007 20:54:07 GMT

I found this company. Upon doing some research on them, I found out that they are not licensed in DC or in VA. There is a salesman named Cliff Small there and he is the sales manager (according to him). I looked him up on the Maryland Home Improvement Commission and I discovered that he does not have a MD salesman's license. I also found a web site called elegantfloorservicesisillegal.com. I can't believe that this company has been getting business through this web site! They will not get mine. Be careful of this company for they are unlicensed and illegal.

POST REPORTS AT YOUR OWN RISK!!!

paxi — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 01:52:37 GMT

Maybe this is old news to some of you but I found out the hard way. After you post negative reports to companies, Angies List directly forwards your private contact info to them. I posted a report about a company and a few days later they were calling me at home!! Then DEEP within the terms of service agreement I find that for any report you send, Angies list then sends that company your contact info:

(g) Your name and report information will be made available to the Service Providers on which You report.

This would seem to violate their own privacy policy:

We will not release any personal identifying information about you without your consent.

This really is a set up for the potential for negative retribution on the part of companies and it seems that I am not alone (A thread a few below mine make the same reports).

So Sad that Angies list is pulling the same shenanigans that it supposedly is trying to protect us from. AT THE VERY LEAST THEY COULD MAKE IT CLEAR THAT AS SOON AS YOU HIT "SEND" YOUR PRIVATE INFO IS BEING SENT TO THE COMPANY THAT YOU HAD A BAD EXPERIENCE WITH.

Sorry for shouting but this really mad me mad and our family feels violated. I am going to cancel my membership but not before I post here on a weekly basis so that everyone at least knows what they are getting into.

Pet Door Installers

Hector — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 16:49:19 GMT

We just moved to our first house, and we brought 4 cats with us. We have been looking for a company or contractor that would install pet doors for us. I haven't found anything that is local to us. We live in Utah, specifically in the town of Springville. Could anybody recomend a company that would sell and install this door for us?

Thanks!

Hector

Loose Toilet

Elinor — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 15:07:00 GMT

My toilet is loose and the floor beceath it needs to be replaced. What kind of service doI need to contact? A carpenter? Plumber?

DEck -> stamped concerte work

harmeek — Sun, 27 Sep 2009 18:49:29 GMT

Please do provide recomendations about cost efective ways and contracters who could help in deck work . stamped concerete is what we are looking for.

harmeek

Mold Remediation/ Testing

Frank — Sat, 26 Sep 2009 07:46:46 GMT

I've heard of estimates in the 15-20k range for a 4-8 day job! Any body been hit up with this scam?

Lack of ventilation with spray foam insulation

jgdean — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 00:07:26 GMT

I am planning on reroofing and redoing the insulation in my home in the Central Valley of California. The spray foam insulation salesman says they would seal up the attic and enclose the attic space with insulation so that it will be the same tempurature as the interior of the house. He also says the foam will block moisture so you don't need ventilation to remove moisture to prevent rot in the roof. The roofer says sealing off the vents will void the roof warrenty. The foam insulator responds that the roofer doesn't know his technology. Where is the source that can be trusted to resolve this? The spray foam insulation seems better than fiberglass in other respects so if this could be resolved I'd go with spray foam.

Replacement Windows

edfrmva1 — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 16:47:36 GMT

I am not a member yet. My wife and I live in Vienna, VA. We recently had 21 windows replaced with new vinyl double hung windows. After checking the comments in Checkbook magazine and visiting a number of dealer/providers, we selected American Jewel Windows made for the American Home Center located in Beltsville, MD, The owner, Mr. Robert Willett, gave us an excellent presentation. No deals! Priced as presented. Not cheap, reasonable based on our visits to earlier dealer/providers. Installation date selected. Crews came on time and worked very well to removed all the windows to be replaced and then installed the new replacements. Crew worked quickly and well. Was misty wet and so our white carpets were not as well left as before they began. Work was completed in one day! A better outside cleanup was suggested and that the team bring a small hand vacuum to clean the small chips on the carpets. Several days after the installation, we noticed some imperfections and they were quickly taken care of. Overall, we are happy with the windows, their cost, and their installation and their response to our requests for repairs. In addition, American Jewel Windows, the manufacturer of the windows gave us a rebate of $250. Check them online before ordering the windows from American Home.

NYC Apartment search

newcitysue — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 12:37:51 GMT

I'm looking for a reliable, ethical no-fee source to aid in finding a studio or one-bedroom apartment in Manhattan. Has anyone worked with UrbanSherpaNY.com or RDNY.com rent-direct,com? Or, can you recommend a source?

Thanks!

Drywall or a "plaster caulk"?

lakotahokie — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 20:50:34 GMT

I recently experienced rather severe water damage to my ceiling and walls in one area of my house. Two estimates so far, one using actual drywall for repairs, the other a caulk-like plaster filler (sorry, exact term escaping me). The drywall solution is much more expensive...I would love some assistance determining the better method, any safety issues if I don't chose drywall option, etc...

Thank you for those that provide assistance.

lj8

Engineered hardwood - to glue or to float?

mylo — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 00:18:19 GMT

Hello,

I was wondering if anyone has had any experience with engineered hardwood flooring. We are on a slab with no subfloor and are very confused as to which method of installation is best. The flooring can be glued down, which will not allow any moisture to penetrate but is labor intensive to repair any stains. Or the floor can be floated which does allow moisture to penetrate but is easily clicked out to replace any damage.

I'd be so grateful to anyone with any experience to tell me your thoughts.

Thanks so much!

love seat

alligator — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 00:19:54 GMT

I bought a love seat from Creative Leather, when it was delivered it was damaged. I have been dealing with them and want them to pick it up and return my money. They just want to fix it and want me to keep it. Does anyone know who I can turn to to get them to return the love seat and my money?