State Specific Question About: MASSACHUSETTS (MA)

What kind of a heater? Was the current vent pipe re-usable or did it have to be replaced? Any other changes from the old heater?

I just got a bid of $800 (parts and labor) to run a vent pipe thru the ceiling of a house. Probably 16 feet at least of double walled steel (required by code). That stuff is price! A 6 foot section at Lowes is about $140...so multiply by 3 just for the materials = $420ish. Add in 3 hours of labor from a licensed pro and it's not far off. Plus throw in a bit for the warranty, etc.

That was just for the VENTING. The actual stove itself runs $600-$900 (depending on BTUs) if purchased new from Home Depot. Luckily, I had an older model Williams 35,000 btu heater left from a place where we put in a central HVAC.

Wow,..good to know,..since it was a switch out HW heather I thought it wouldn't have been that expensive,...again its been quite a while since I have had to do this,..most of the other buildings have electric,..

This was done by a handyman that moonlights for me but works for a heating co as his day job,..

Problem is that he used to work cheaper on everything as a handyman...I think he thinks that we are rich LL's and lately when, say,.. he does painting,..he charges as much as a prof painter,..plumber, light carpentry, cleaning etc etc.. I think I have to get away from him,.I think he needs money, (recent divorce and 3 child support) But maybe on this the cost was justified,..

Ann is your handyman a MA licensed gas fitter & plumber?

Was this a 30, 40, 50 or larger water heater?

Did he pull a permit?

Did he have the new water heater inspected?

Did he verify that the water at the faucets & showers wasn't too hot?

Did he pickup the new heater & properly dispose of the old heater?

Did the new heater come with a 6, 9 or 12 year warranty?

Did he do this during non business hours?

Did he get it done in a timely fashion so the tenants were not overly inconvenienced?

The answers to the above question would tell us whether you got a good deal, an average deal or were ripped off.

...,.. he does painting,..he charges as much as a prof painter...

Johnny B, I think your plumber was being less than truthful with you regarding "the last one I did (about a year ago), my plumber stated that regulations in Mass had changed, so he wasn't able to use this approach anymore." I have commercial accounts at Fergerson, Webbs & Norhtshore Heating Supply where I buy the bulk of my heating & plumbing supplies.

I asked my plumber if he would go up your way for a WH installation & he wasn't interested. I believe there use to be a LL group in the Haverhill area & I know there was one in Lowell, I suggest you check with them for plumbers in your area. Since you are so close to the NH border, you might try looking there for a plumber who is licensed in MA as well as NH.

Remember if you supply the materials, whether it's lumber, flooring, paint, appliances, boilers, water heaters, faucets, windows, doors, etc and there is a problem with the materials, your installer will justifiably expect to be paid to remove & replace any defective materials not supplied by them. Of course if they install it wrong, the repair / replacement labor is on them.

I believe Home Depot installs for about $700.

They outsource to local plumbers, etc who pull permits tc.

Water heater (depending on size) is in the area of $500 give or take. Takes about 2-3 hrs to install, if it was a comparable size as the previous one. It would be in the ballpark of $700-$900 to purchase and have installed.

I would recommend not having it hard piped to your water heater (use flex lines or braided hoses). Makes for easy switching out next time.

$1200 i think is not bad if you never saw the job or watched the install.

I, like NE, sacrifice a couple days a year to go to materials auctions. That way I can buy 8 very slightly used (they build a new house with a 40 gal wh and the buyer wants an 80) and scratcheck and dent water heaters. I bought 8 electric and gas water heaters in a mixed group 2 years ago for $240, less than the cost of 1. I install by myself or with an hourly helper.

Even if you can't install yourself you could dour craigslist, auctions etc and get great deals.