Price for Install Seems a Little High

SSS33 · Post by **SSS33** » Tue. Sep. 25, 2012 10:36 am

I am having my coal furnace ( leisure line ak-110) installed professionally and the price seems a little high. I could be totally off base as I know little about what is involved. The furnace will be directly under the supply and return duct work. The two lines will only be about 3 feet long and feed straight up into there respective sides. The stove pipe will be about six feet long and travel along the side of a stone wall and turn 90 into the chimney opening. The stove will be in place and assembled. The lines for the coal trol are run and the control panel is installed in the room I want it. The installer will need to set the draft and get the coal trol set up properly. I also have the optional cold air return box that he can tap directly into with the return line. The price quoted was $1250. I am sure I could do the work myself, however I am new to coal and want to make sure things are as they should be, and most importantly safe. I am more than happy to pay the price if it is fair, just looking for some input.

Flyer5 · Post by **Flyer5** » Tue. Sep. 25, 2012 12:13 pm

SSS33 wrote:I am having my coal furnace ( leisure line ak-110) installed professionally and the price seems a little high. I could be totally off base as I know little about what is involved. The furnace will be directly under the supply and return duct work. The two lines will only be about 3 feet long and feed straight up into there respective sides. The stove pipe will be about six feet long and travel along the side of a stone wall and turn 90 into the chimney opening. The stove will be in place and assembled. The lines for the coal trol are run and the control panel is installed in the room I want it. The installer will need to set the draft and get the coal trol set up properly. I also have the optional cold air return box that he can tap directly into with the return line. The price quoted was $1250. I am sure I could do the work myself, however I am new to coal and want to make sure things are as they should be, and most importantly safe. I am more than happy to pay the price if it is fair, just looking for some input.

It would be hard to say will the installer also be moving and setting the furnace. To me it doesn't sound too far out there as long as it is a professional job and complete. If you are in doubt is there another HVAC company you can get a quote from?
Again I would have to know exactly what the scope is they are promising for a reasonable opinion. There is usually more to do than obviously appears.
Dave

kstills · Post by **kstills** » Tue. Sep. 25, 2012 12:28 pm

When I bid out my LL110k installation, I was given prices ranging from 1850-4500. The install included putting the boiler in the basement, hooking it into the existing pipework and wiring and testing all the controls.

Nothing fancy, but the prices were all over the board.

I would say, from my experience, that 1250 seems a reasonable price to pay an installer to spend 1-2 days in your home making sure that everything works as it should. I assume when he leaves all you have to do is turn the switch from off to on and you're making heat, of course.

freetown fred · Post by **freetown fred** » Tue. Sep. 25, 2012 12:35 pm

Make sure all that is clearly stated in your contract/job order, as in---always cover your ass

CoaLen · Post by **CoaLen** » Tue. Sep. 25, 2012 3:08 pm

If you're planning to install the coal furnace to be connected to the same ductwork system as your current furnace (gas, propane, oil) but used independent of your current furnace, make sure you install proper baffles to keep them separated. Otherwise you could end up with a loop between the furnaces with very little heat making it through the house.
Your installer should include the baffles in the plans and explain how they will work.
If you're replacing your current furnace with the coal furnace, no baffles required.
Good luck!
-Len

plumber · Post by **plumber** » Tue. Sep. 25, 2012 7:11 pm

It also depends on your geography. If you were in southern New England, I'd suggest you to be lery of such a low bid. Average labor on a furnace install around here is $2000. That's labor only.

whistlenut · Post by **whistlenut** » Tue. Sep. 25, 2012 10:39 pm

As Fred has said, know what you are asking to be installed, and make sure that is addressed in the quote. 1250 is very fair, and I'd check references before you sign off. Best of luck, and the ak is a heating machine. Your heating costs just dropped by at least 50%, and the family comfort index has made HUGE advances. Coal.....it's what's for winter!

Sting · Post by **Sting** » Tue. Sep. 25, 2012 11:28 pm

Isn't this why some of us have spent so much --- errrr.... wasted so much time attempting to coax and or teach folks to '' Do it them selves correctly?"