- This topic has 19 replies, 8 voices, and was last updated 12 years, 1 month ago by
Diego Mamani.
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October 9, 2012 at 10:46 AM #20178October 9, 2012 at 11:03 AM #752350
NotCranky
ParticipantThe timer is a minor deal. A little bit of a bigger deal if you got a different size heater, but not much. On some makes there is a check valve and a few other things, but it’s still a quick job.
The timer is connected to the hose bib drain, or is it on top of the hot line? I have had both, no way either requires more than 1/2 hour to remove and replace, even if it were soldered in, less if it was originally installed with proper unions as needed.
If it was soldered in, he cuts it in one or two places max. and re-installs it with $2 solder fittings ,or $6 unions, or both(up to two pieces). Maybe he needs a few inches of copper pipe. So you would have 1/2 hour plus a few bucks in parts(before insane mark-up).
October 9, 2012 at 11:03 AM #752351SK in CV
ParticipantCheck your policy carefully. These home protection policy companies make their money by refusing claims. Often they claim exclusions when no exclusions exist. (The do sometimes have some BS exclusions on costs of installation, but check carefully.) Beyond that, the $284 does seem excessive for disconnecting and reconnecting the timer. How long did it take him to do the job? Any idea on how much extra time was needed solely related to the timer?
October 9, 2012 at 11:12 AM #752352
CoronitaParticipantdelete
October 9, 2012 at 11:13 AM #752353Diego Mamani
ParticipantI don’t know how long it took him to remove and re-install the timer; I was away from home. I was able to to stop by during my lunch break and chatted with the tech guy briefly, but then I had to run back to work. I found out about the $288 only when I got home at night. I think the whole process took him at least 3 hours, if not longer, but I suspect that most of the time was devoted to removing the old heater and installing the new one.
I’ll read the policy carefully…
October 9, 2012 at 11:16 AM #752349CoronitaParticipantyup.
You got the special plumber’s union rate..
1/2 hr of real labor + 1.5 hrs billable for sitting on his ass.Probably was more than a trip to the doctor’s office.
Gotta love rip-off american labor costs. Post the name of the plumber company so that we know not to use them.
Folks you really need to start being more DIY unless you don’t mind getting ripped off.
1. Cars
2. Plumbing
3. Basic Electrical(Don’t feel bad. It happens to everyone at least 1 time in their life…chalk this up as a lesson learned).
October 9, 2012 at 11:48 AM #752354spdrun
ParticipantAfter he mentioned the extra ripoff fees, I’d have booted him out the door, and told him that his boss was free to collect the $60 fee via small claims court if he dared. Don’t feel bad – the guy is an employee, and gets paid regardless.
If someone offers a “warranty” on a used item, run quickly in the other direction. 99% of the time, it’s a scam or bordering on such.
October 9, 2012 at 12:01 PM #752355Participant[quote=spdrun]If someone offers a “warranty” on a used item, run quickly in the other direction. 99% of the time, it’s a scam or bordering on such.[/quote] This is a different kind of “warranty”:
http://www.orhp.com/I never buy warranties for new or used items.
October 9, 2012 at 12:12 PM #752356ParticipantRegardless. Warranty companies have to turn a profit. For this reason alone, you’ll come out ahead ON AVERAGE if you do the work yourself.
October 9, 2012 at 1:40 PM #752362enron_by_the_sea
ParticipantIf you are living in the city of San Diego then you need to get a city inspector to come in and inspect that the water heater is strapped properly. Naturally there is a fee ($60?) for that! It may be a component of the bill…
October 9, 2012 at 6:50 PM #752366desmond
ParticipantDiego my man,
Big deal you payed $344 for a new water heater and the timer. You could have spent all day and mayber another trying to do it yourself, do you have the tools and know how to solder? What if you made a mistake and the damn thing leaked for a day or two. Don’t listen to the cheapskates telling you what you should have done, they would fight over the cost of a washer. Now you have a warranty and can call somebody if something happens. No aggrevation, have a beverage of choice, you did the right thing.
October 9, 2012 at 7:45 PM #752367ParticipantSheesh – a propane torch, cloth, emery cloth, solder, and flux can be had for about $40. Even a spastic chimp can teach themselves to sweat pipes. It’s not microsurgery.
And no: he paid $344 *plus* the cost of the warranty.
October 9, 2012 at 9:43 PM #752371ParticipantLOL!
Well, I’m still trying to get my wife to explain to me clearly what the sales pitch was. The house “warranty” (insurance, really) master document states that heater timers are not covered, but it doesn’t say that removing and re-installing the timer is not covered.
I’m not sure I would attempt to replace a large gas water heater like this one. I was never a big DIYer, but now that I’m getting old I’m also concerned about personal injury.
October 10, 2012 at 9:08 AM #752390Participant[quote=Diego Mamani]LOL!
Well, I’m still trying to get my wife to explain to me clearly what the sales pitch was. The house “warranty” (insurance, really) master document states that heater timers are not covered, but it doesn’t say that removing and re-installing the timer is not covered.
I’m not sure I would attempt to replace a large gas water heater like this one. I was never a big DIYer, but now that I’m getting old I’m also concerned about personal injury.[/quote]
Maybe the plumber was hot. She has a lot of splainin to do!
October 10, 2012 at 10:56 AM #752402Participant[quote=desmond]Maybe the plumber was hot. She has a lot of splainin to do![/quote]Actually, she’s hotter than him. If anyone was to be ripped off, it should have been the other way around!
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