I wanted to get some opinions on a quote I received for installing a boiler with an indirect water heater in southern VT. I was quoted $5800 in materials for a trinity 100 with a superstore ss50 indirect tank. This price includes grundfos circulating pumps (2 zones plus HW), venting and all valves. Labor is estimated a 2 men for 2 days $1600. I would still have to do the final hook ups to the water supply and existing hydronic baseboard.
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I'm not sure about the price, as I don't have experience in that area.
But if you are paying for a professional installation, it should be turnkey. THEY should have responsibility for connecting the water supply and the existing baseboards. Do not allow an opening for the installers to escape responsibility. That is part of what the cost is all about.
I had discussed this with the installer prior to the quote, as a cost saving measure. I have plenty of experience plumbing, and making a few connections is not that big a deal, but I do not want to screw up the boiler/ HW heater installation, as I have no experience with that aspect.
I think thats a bad idea, any problems with the system will be blamed on you, i.e. you screwed up the system by doing your hook-ups, this means there is no warrantee, sorry.....................................
"If all else fails, read the directions"
Price seems reasonable. Boiler and indirect are more expensive than hot water tank and furnace. I agree with Shacko. If your arent saving much, I'd let the installers complete the entire job. Then the work is under warranty.
Thanks for all the input. I trust my installer, but I am suffering from sticker shock. When I originally built the house 15 yrs ago I could have installed a similar system, with all radiation included for under $6000. The heads up on warranty is a good one, I hadn't thought of that, I trust people too much. I'll ask for an updated quote to complete the job.
The price of bananas has definitely gone up in the past three years. Prices for anything with copper content are up considerably. Labor is higher due to double digit increases in health insurance, fuel, etc. You could get a couple of additional quotes, but the $5800 price is not over the top IMO.
Ask over at the heating help forum. The problem with Vt, is that you have somewhat limited competition, so you will pay a little extra maybe than even urban areas. My sister lives up in williston and there just are not enough suppliers and supply houses.
Also ask about that brand boiler over there. I have several friends that install HVAC, mainly boilers and I have not heard them mention trinity. The one they like the best right now is Buderus and I believe they like the megastor better than the superstor, although they like the superstor.
http://forums.invision.net/index.cfm?CFID=3938847&CFTOKEN=13691cb-c39e90f9-1052-4f89-97cc-d1aee83e0ffb&CFApp=2&
Edited 8/30/2007 5:18 pm ET by DDay
Wow, That is a scary story. Did they figure out what the cause was? Faulty installation or boiler defect? I haven't heard of too many problems with NTI, and my installer has been using them and Buderus for several years.