I was told by the plumbing contractor that I invited to give me a quote for
a new WH, gas, that there is NO DIFFERENCE in the actual unit between a
6/10/lifetime warranted WH, just that the additional cost would cover their
long-term exposure. While it would make sense - I find it hard to believe
that is the only difference.


Also the price for the changeout is $1600, which seems excessive to me.
This particular contractor also engages in a practice that I find
objectionable, list pricing and then discounting. And continually saying
that they are so much more honest than other plumbers.

So while I have no intention of using them, is this USUAL practice to not
delineate the make/model of the intended product to be installed, and such a
huge changeout fee.

I am not physically capable of doing the changeout, which is the only reason
that I am talking to a contractor at. Is there a way to buy the water
heater (and is there any other than the Bradford White Defender) have it
drop shipped and then have it installed. The unit is in my garage and with
a new unit (which I will maintain), I am not very concerned about valve
failure or water in the area after everything gets off the floor - which
should be within a month - YEAH!
__________________________
Totus Tuus
Claudia Satori

Have at least 2 other companies give you quotes (not estimates!) on changing
out the heater and then go from there.....



"Claudia" wrote in message
news:HQyYc.1647$Cj5.1103@trnddc04...
I was told by the plumbing contractor that I invited to give me a quote
for
a new WH, gas, that there is NO DIFFERENCE in the actual unit between a
6/10/lifetime warranted WH, just that the additional cost would cover
their
long-term exposure. While it would make sense - I find it hard to believe
that is the only difference.


Also the price for the changeout is $1600, which seems excessive to me.
This particular contractor also engages in a practice that I find
objectionable, list pricing and then discounting. And continually saying
that they are so much more honest than other plumbers.

So while I have no intention of using them, is this USUAL practice to not
delineate the make/model of the intended product to be installed, and such
a
huge changeout fee.

I am not physically capable of doing the changeout, which is the only
reason
that I am talking to a contractor at. Is there a way to buy the water
heater (and is there any other than the Bradford White Defender) have it
drop shipped and then have it installed. The unit is in my garage and
with
a new unit (which I will maintain), I am not very concerned about valve
failure or water in the area after everything gets off the floor - which
should be within a month - YEAH!
__________________________
Totus Tuus
Claudia Satori

Claudia wrote:
I was told by the plumbing contractor that I invited to give me a quote
for
a new WH, gas, that there is NO DIFFERENCE in the actual unit between a
6/10/lifetime warranted WH, just that the additional cost would cover
their
long-term exposure. While it would make sense - I find it hard to believe
that is the only difference.


Also the price for the changeout is $1600, which seems excessive to me.
This particular contractor also engages in a practice that I find
objectionable, list pricing and then discounting. And continually saying
that they are so much more honest than other plumbers.

So while I have no intention of using them, is this USUAL practice to not
delineate the make/model of the intended product to be installed, and such
a
huge changeout fee.

I am not physically capable of doing the changeout, which is the only
reason
that I am talking to a contractor at. Is there a way to buy the water
heater (and is there any other than the Bradford White Defender) have it
drop shipped and then have it installed. The unit is in my garage and
with
a new unit (which I will maintain), I am not very concerned about valve
failure or water in the area after everything gets off the floor - which
should be within a month - YEAH!
__________________________
Totus Tuus
Claudia Satori

I think I would also pass on this guy. BTW, I have also heard that
there is little or no difference in the different "life" models, I suspect
there is some truth and some non-truth to this claim.

Generally you can buy the heater and have it delivered and arrange for
installation from the place where you buy it or arrange for your local
plumber to put it in. However I would pick the plumber discuss your needs
and possible choices and let them supply the heater. I would not be
concerned about the brake down of cost between heater and installation. You
are paying the total so do you really care if the plumber makes his money on
the sale of the heater to you or his labor charge to you when the result is
the same total.

I suggest letting him supply the unit because often he can buy it for
less than you can so in the end you can end up with a better deal. If you
have a good plumber, he will not try to sell you junk. The trick is to find
a good plumber. Ask around to see if any of your friends or neighbors have
a recommendation for a good plumber. (BTW the price seems high to me, but
the price will be higher than you may be expecting for any gas heater as new
safety requirements have raised the cost in recent years.)

--
Joseph E. Meehan

26 + 6 = 1 It's Irish Math

I am in the market on buying water heater in Canada, and this is what I
know:

Installed regular water heater 50 Gal, cheapest cost about 550$ Canadian.
That is about 400$US. Heater price was about 440$ and 100$ labour. That is
the best quote I got so far.

At Home Depot they sell GE water heaters:
http://www.geappliances.com/smar****...tures_main.htm

The one with 6 years limited waranty cost about 450$ + 150$ installation.
The one with 12 years waranty costs about 700$ + 150$ installation.
As you can see from GE page, model have some differences, not just waranty
price.

Now if you will go with PowerVented, price will be about 1100-1300$
Canadian.
If you have tankless water heater, price will be again different.

I am not sure about the brand you mentioned (Bradford White Defender), but
quick search on the internet shows that they offer them installed somewhere
in US at price below 600$:
http://www.gogeisel.com/geiselonline...lochinvar.html

Regards



"Claudia" wrote in message
news:HQyYc.1647$Cj5.1103@trnddc04...
I was told by the plumbing contractor that I invited to give me a quote
for
a new WH, gas, that there is NO DIFFERENCE in the actual unit between a
6/10/lifetime warranted WH, just that the additional cost would cover
their
long-term exposure. While it would make sense - I find it hard to believe
that is the only difference.


Also the price for the changeout is $1600, which seems excessive to me.
This particular contractor also engages in a practice that I find
objectionable, list pricing and then discounting. And continually saying
that they are so much more honest than other plumbers.

So while I have no intention of using them, is this USUAL practice to not
delineate the make/model of the intended product to be installed, and such
a
huge changeout fee.

I am not physically capable of doing the changeout, which is the only
reason
that I am talking to a contractor at. Is there a way to buy the water
heater (and is there any other than the Bradford White Defender) have it
drop shipped and then have it installed. The unit is in my garage and
with
a new unit (which I will maintain), I am not very concerned about valve
failure or water in the area after everything gets off the floor - which
should be within a month - YEAH!
__________________________
Totus Tuus
Claudia Satori

the big box stores offer water heaters and installs they pretty much charge
a flat price for the install unless you have an odd location.
if you post where you live it is possible some poster may be able to make
recommendations

Wayne

"Claudia" wrote in message
news:HQyYc.1647$Cj5.1103@trnddc04...
I was told by the plumbing contractor that I invited to give me a quote for
a new WH, gas, that there is NO DIFFERENCE in the actual unit between a
6/10/lifetime warranted WH, just that the additional cost would cover
their
long-term exposure. While it would make sense - I find it hard to believe
that is the only difference.


Also the price for the changeout is $1600, which seems excessive to me.
This particular contractor also engages in a practice that I find
objectionable, list pricing and then discounting. And continually saying
that they are so much more honest than other plumbers.

So while I have no intention of using them, is this USUAL practice to not
delineate the make/model of the intended product to be installed, and such
a
huge changeout fee.

I am not physically capable of doing the changeout, which is the only
reason
that I am talking to a contractor at. Is there a way to buy the water
heater (and is there any other than the Bradford White Defender) have it
drop shipped and then have it installed. The unit is in my garage and
with
a new unit (which I will maintain), I am not very concerned about valve
failure or water in the area after everything gets off the floor - which
should be within a month - YEAH!
__________________________
Totus Tuus
Claudia Satori

Claudia wrote:
I was told by the plumbing contractor that I invited to give me a
quote for a new WH, gas, that there is NO DIFFERENCE in the actual
unit between a 6/10/lifetime warranted WH, just that the additional
cost would cover their long-term exposure. While it would make sense
- I find it hard to believe that is the only difference.
/snip/

For Rheem / Ruud water heaters (and maybe others) this is a true
statement. You are buying an extended warranty - the product itself is
the same.

I am in Thousand Oaks, CA, Ventura County if that makes a difference.
Someone here tell me you have a plumber that you love and whose name and
number you are willing to share - PLEASE
__________________________
Totus Tuus
Claudia Satori

Claudia wrote:

I was told by the plumbing contractor that I invited to give me a quote for
a new WH, gas, that there is NO DIFFERENCE in the actual unit between a
6/10/lifetime warranted WH, just that the additional cost would cover their
long-term exposure. While it would make sense - I find it hard to believe
that is the only difference.

Also the price for the changeout is $1600, which seems excessive to me.
This particular contractor also engages in a practice that I find
objectionable, list pricing and then discounting. And continually saying
that they are so much more honest than other plumbers.

So while I have no intention of using them, is this USUAL practice to not
delineate the make/model of the intended product to be installed, and such a
huge changeout fee.

I am not physically capable of doing the changeout, which is the only reason
that I am talking to a contractor at. Is there a way to buy the water
heater (and is there any other than the Bradford White Defender) have it
drop shipped and then have it installed. The unit is in my garage and with
a new unit (which I will maintain), I am not very concerned about valve
failure or water in the area after everything gets off the floor - which
should be within a month - YEAH!
__________________________
Totus Tuus
Claudia Satori


You're kidding? $1600? A completely new installation of a Bradford
White 50 gallon gas heater was $400 3 years ago (not the high
efficiency one because I don't want to hear the induction fan).
Anyway, I bought an electric unit previously and was told the same
thing, looked at all the specs, and I couldn't find any difference
except for the heating coils and the cost difference was only $20 for
the pair.

Why are you going through a contractor? That just doubles your cost.
A top line 50 gallon water heater is a maximum of $500, takes a
maximum of $50 additional parts, requires less than an hour to
install, and costs less than $50 for disposal of the old tank in many
places. I thought HD charge for installing a water heater was
rediculous and it was less than $200.