I have a closed system. And yes the general opinion I got from that site
was, if you buy on the internet, it's not getting done right. In your
defense I agree there are companies out there that sell and run. I also
agree that a lot of DIYs shouldn't delve into things they don't understand.
But it is their time and money and their decision. In a case like that, it
will come back to the professional, like yourself. At that point , you set
your price to repair what was not installed right. It's a lesson learned for
the homeowner and work for you, if you want it.Why you would be upset for a
homeowner to call you and offer you work is beyond me, whether it be an
original install or fix a job the homeowner messed up? Maybe when you place
your adds in the yellow pages you should list "Original Installs Only. Will
not fix your screwups". Then I would know not to call you! Try it. See if it
works. In fact, tell me the area you work in and I'll advertise for you for
free. Just like we are here.
All hostilities aside(did I spell hostilities right). I have done, and
will continue to do, more repeat business with professionals that are
willing to steer me in the right direction when I feel up to the challenge
of a DIY project than the "POMPOUS ASS" that looks down his/her nose at you.
Let me tell you what I mean by all this. I built my house 7 years ago. I
ended up hiring a Father & Son contractor that left a previous contractor
relationship and started their own business. They were honest and friendly
as the day was long. They were outbid by one other contractor but I decided
they were the ones to build our house. During construction, I learned more
from them about home systems than anyone could imagine. They weren't afraid
to share their knowledge. In fact I always referred to the Father as a
teacher. He taught me not to be afraid to fix/repair/install things. If I
ever got in a pickle, he said call him. And trust me, I did.! They couldn't
do enough for me. And til this day, all I need to do is pick up the phone
and they are there. At that time they built me a 1800 sq. ft. ranch home,
turn key for $100,000. Since then I've had my hand in them getting 3 other
homes to build. Presently they are building 1/4 million dollar homes or
better for people better off than myself. And you know what? I could still
call them to this day, and they would help me out either with knowledge,
tools, or a helping hand when I needed it. They never advertised once. All
sucess is due to word of mouth. That's the best advertising you can get.
Don't be like the rest of the "PROFESSIONALS", stand above them.
Trust me, you'll be rewarded with work you couldn't imagine.
"HeatMan" wrote in message
. ..
No one there '****es and moans' about DIY's. We just don't like DIY's
that
call us back after the mail order radiant systems don't work right either
from the error of the company that sold it to them or installation error.
Usually, the cost of fixing most errors ends up being more than the
installation would have cost if a trained, licensed contractor had done
the
install to start with.
Oh, do you have an open system or a closed system? It makes a big
difference
"Beeper" wrote in message
...
I went to the site you pointed out and read an hour worth of ****ing and
moaning by contractors about DIYers. I did not find in any one post that
pointed out radiantcompany of vermont as a problem. There was 1 general
statement about a company in vermont, but I'm sure there is a few. I did
my
homework before I started and now have a fine running system. Could it be
you are one of those contractors ****ing and moaning because someone
didn't
pay you 30-40 dollars an hour to screw down 750 conduit straps to hold
the
pex in place for a gypcrete pour over an existing concrete slab? At 30 $
an
hour, that alone would have ran me $1000. I was told by a local
contractor
starting into the radiant business, that the system I installed would
have
ran $12,000-$16,000 by most of the thieves in the business. When all was
said and done, total costs to me $3,700. (the gyprcrete pour was $2,500
of
that $3,700.
"HeatMan" wrote in message
. ..
Oh my heavens!
"Beeper" wrote in message
...
I also have a boiler and hot water baseboard. When I finished the
basement
recently, I installed radiant floor heat. I run 90 deg water through
the
system. I have a mixing valve installed between the hot of the boiler
and
the return of the loops. Water comes back at 85 deg and the boiler
mixes
enough hot back in to bring it back to 90 deg. Check out
www.radiantcompany.com . They are out of Vermont. I purchased most
materials
through them.
You got ripped off!
They also figured out what size pex I needed, how many loops,
size pump. They also had a form you could fill out online which will
give
you a better idea of cost equipment needed with no obligation to buy.
Give
them a call. They were super friendy and helpful. By the way, Radiant
floor
heat is the best heat I ever felt.
You are one of the few ones that didn't have a problem with them. Go
to
the
Wall (http://forums.invision.net/Main.cfm?CFApp=2) and put 'Vermont
company'
and 'radiant company' in the search function. Look at the responses.
Radiant heat is the best, in that statement you are very correct.
"Randy Bishop" wrote in message
...
Hi all:
I have a 2600 sq ft 2 story home built in 1846. I also have cast
iron
radiators in both floors, which are the primary heat source. We have
an
oil
fired boiler which is five years old & 87% efficient att last
measurement.
We would like to convert to radiant floor heat as we have total
access
to
the underside of the first floor. Anyone have experience/advice on
retrofit of a radian heat system in older homes?
Randy