Except for the couple days at freezing that I got out
to stretch the legs.
Five people occupy this small house, not including all
the four legged things.
Problem: The hot water heater started seeping last week.
Problem #2: I am not comfortable sweating pipes, and I
don't take chances with the gas line.
When you know the problem, the solution is usually easy
to slove. Usually.
I made a call to the best plumbing company. "$1350 installed."
It was almost laughable, but I wasn't laughing. This thing is
gonna blow anytime.
So I go to Lowes. $398 for the water heater, and $280 for the
install. That sounds alot better. I load it onto the cart and
head to check out.
"There's an additional $300 for a permit fee, required by the
city" the associate says.
"Are you f@ckin kidding me? The plumbing company told me it's
actually $15 but they charge $30. Not $300!"
"Sorry, the computer and my manager say it's $300."
"Well, you can keep your stuff then."
I check online with the city permits. Homeowner pays under $20.
The installer licensing is $300 for a 'B' permit - which they
should already have.
Call a different Lowes. Get a manager on the phone.
"It's anywhere from $120 to $300 if you live in the city"
she rudely says, as I question the permit amount.
This thing is gonna blow soon.
Call plumbing company back.
"How much just to have my hot water heater swapped out,
just the labor?"
"$125 for the first hour, $95 every hour after, $30 for
the permit."
Go to another store. Buy the water heater for $400.
Carefully drag the fat bastard down to the basement.
$168 later, I have hot water. But that was the biggest
pain in the ass. You screw with customers, you may make
some money, but eventually you'll loose more than you
made.
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