Calling plumbing experts

[Shawker]

They're telling me there are recirculating lines that would have to be removed/capped off and it would be more expensive than just installing another power vent. I don't know if that's true or not.

Yeah I'm definitely aware of that. Really don't think this guy falls into that category but noted!

Find a plumber that moonlights on the side and pay them cash. It will save you a ton compared to having a company "officially" install it, but you'll have the confidence of knowing you didn't **** it up if you tried to do it yourself. We replaced our water heater (Des Moines area) about a year and a half ago. The unit itself (power vent) was about $950 which we paid for and brought to our house and then we paid a plumber $400 for the installation.

 

[iowastatefan1929]

I just did a non power vent for 1200-1300 installed., 40 gallons.
Non power vent are nice if the power goes out you still have hot water, thats why we never changed.

 

[cyputz]

If any of your friends know of a retired plumber pulling side jobs. I did that for $300. Labor, and he had extra steps to perform to get the fit

 

[iowastatefan1929]

Thats the problem with Colorado, prices are double the midwest, so naturally everything should be about double because the workers have to live there also.

 

[clone4life82]

First off, I live in Colorado and everything is more expensive here. I'm getting estimates to replace my water heater. I'm being told because the original install was power vent, I have no other option for my home, and it will just be $5300 for a 50-gallon. I think I last replaced a 50-gallon water heater in Iowa for about $750 installed. Are they being honest with me that I have no other options? Am I just screwed?

I just replaced a power vent on my own a few months back. We bumped it up from 50 gallon power vent to 75 and the quotes I received were in the $4k range so I said F it, bought the heater and did it myself. Ran a new 4” vent changed the hot and cold line sizes and added additional shutoff valves for a few hundred more than what I paid for the water heater (which was still less than half the estimates). It’s not surprising that the cost is that high for you in Colorado. See how much a water heater costs to purchase out there and then double it for installation. If you can find someone that will do it on the side (and you help with removing the old one and getting the new one in place), then it may only cost you a few hundred for installation if you’re not changing anything else.

 

[Dr.bannedman]

That's great. Was it a power vent?

i will ask him when i get home

 

[clone4life82]

They're telling me there are recirculating lines that would have to be removed/capped off and it would be more expensive than just installing another power vent. I don't know if that's true or not.

Yeah I'm definitely aware of that. Really don't think this guy falls into that category but noted!

Honestly you should know if your water heater has recirc or not before you go purchase another one or contract out the work. Snap a few pictures of what you have (water heater, piping to and from the water heater), and post them here and we should be able to tell you.

 

[TitanClone]

Find a plumber that moonlights on the side and pay them cash. It will save you a ton compared to having a company "officially" install it, but you'll have the confidence of knowing you didn't **** it up if you tried to do it yourself. We replaced our water heater (Des Moines area) about a year and a half ago. The unit itself (power vent) was about $950 which we paid for and brought to our house and then we paid a plumber $400 for the installation.

Also great advice. My dad bought a house that my brother and I lived in during our Ames years. He found a dude who was reliable, quick and cheap. Think the only thing we had on our fridge was his card, probably called him out 6 times in the 7 years we had the house.

 

[JayV]

They're telling me there are recirculating lines that would have to be removed/capped off and it would be more expensive than just installing another power vent. I don't know if that's true or not.

Yeah I'm definitely aware of that. Really don't think this guy falls into that category but noted!

Interesting. I've never dealt with recirculating lines.

 

[Clonehomer]

Go online and check out the installation instructions. You don't need to buy the thing before taking a look to see what's involved. If the current one is vented, then it shouldn't be nearly as hard as installing one fresh

 

[CyJam]

If you are in the Denver metro, I highly recommend Massey Plumbing and Heating. 303-985-1079.

Was a father and son duo but I think the dad is fully retired now. They've done a couple jobs for us and were thousands less than the places that spend $$$ advertising.

 

[BCClone]

First off, I live in Colorado and everything is more expensive here. I'm getting estimates to replace my water heater. I'm being told because the original install was power vent, I have no other option for my home, and it will just be $5300 for a 50-gallon. I think I last replaced a 50-gallon water heater in Iowa for about $750 installed. Are they being honest with me that I have no other options? Am I just screwed?

I put in two power vents in the last 2-3 years ago and combined they were about $2500 installed.

I’ve also seen many movies where the wife does a payment in kind for one.

 

[JP4CY]

I replaced AC and furnace a couple years ago. Two days before install I asked if they could tack on replacement of the powered water heater. He said that was the perfect time to do it.
I got this exact one added onto my quote, installed for $1200.

 

[CoachHines3]

First off, I live in Colorado and everything is more expensive here. I'm getting estimates to replace my water heater. I'm being told because the original install was power vent, I have no other option for my home, and it will just be $5300 for a 50-gallon. I think I last replaced a 50-gallon water heater in Iowa for about $750 installed. Are they being honest with me that I have no other options? Am I just screwed?

It didn't even cost me that to replumb my entire 100+ year old farm house.

 

[Sousaclone]

It didn't even cost me that to replumb my entire 100+ year old farm house.

Well, yeah. I mean, how expensive can an outhouse be?

 

[CoachHines3]

Well, yeah. I mean, how expensive can an outhouse be?

exactly!

 

[ruxCYtable]

Appreciate everyone's input. I've got a guy coming over tomorrow to estimate converting to an electric unit. If it can be done, it's still going to be over $3,000. That's still less than $5300, though.

 

[CYTUTT]

First off, I live in Colorado and everything is more expensive here. I'm getting estimates to replace my water heater. I'm being told because the original install was power vent, I have no other option for my home, and it will just be $5300 for a 50-gallon. I think I last replaced a 50-gallon water heater in Iowa for about $750 installed. Are they being honest with me that I have no other options? Am I just screwed?

My nephew has a plumbing company in Colorado. He’s up by Thornton. Call him (720) 940-9792. His name is Cort Strain. He’s honest and fair. If he quotes you a number close to that, that’s a fair price.

If you live on the north side of Denver. He said to definitely call him.

 

[isutoad]

I live in Ames and 2 years ago needed to buy a new water heater. It was the power vent and cost was $1700 fro C And K furnace. It is an easy job now after I watched them. Your water electrical, and vent lines are all there. May need to extend or cut them off..

 

[BCClone]

Appreciate everyone's input. I've got a guy coming over tomorrow to estimate converting to an electric unit. If it can be done, it's still going to be over $3,000. That's still less than $5300, though.

Buy one of those turkey fryer bases. Put it under your water heater and everytime you want to shower go down and fire it up 3-5 minutes before hand. Will save you money also.