Furnace Installation

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Earthscape
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Post by Earthscape » Wed. Jun. 08, 2016 9:46 pm

I'm in Western Mass. We currently have a wood forced air furnace (Yukon-Eagle Super Jack) installed in parallel with an oil forced air furnace Thermo Pride). The wood furnace does not have a domestic water coil. This past February we purchased a new Harman/Legacy SF2500 furnace with a water coil to replace the wood furnace. The Legacy dealer we purchased from was the closest that sold the furnaces, and does not do installations. We went with the Legacy SF2500 because it was very close in specifications to the Super Jack; same flue size, same CFM blower, similar BTU, almost the same plenum size, etc.
We have called literally dozens of HVAC companies to get the new furnace installed - ducting, plumbing and electrical. Out of those dozens, only one has said they would do it, but quoted a cost that I find unjustifiably high at $6,000. This included plumbing of the coil to an unused solar hot water tank coil (so a closed loop system, no preheat tank) using a circulating pump.
Given the similar size, specs and location of the new coal and old wood furnace, I can't see how it should be anywhere near this expensive. The wood furnace installation, although 8 years ago and without plumbing, was a new installation with far more duct work and electrical work (and even chimney work), and was nearly half the quoted cost of the coal furnace installation.
I know specifics make a difference, but am I incorrect to think that $6,000 is too high for a relatively simple installation? I get the feeling they don't really want to do the job and priced it accordingly.
Any ideas where I can find someone to install the new furnace? We are becoming quite dejected at having such a hard time with this.

 
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McGiever
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Post by McGiever » Wed. Jun. 08, 2016 9:57 pm

Welcome to our humble coal board. :D

Kinda slow around here this time of year, but someone will be around before too long I'd suspect. ;)

Those contractors are used to eating large, you buying a furnace that they had no mark up on is eating pretty lean.
You unordinary job is not the quick and dirty fast buck that they have become accustom to. :roll:

However, I do wish you best of luck :)

 
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plumberman
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Post by plumberman » Thu. Jun. 09, 2016 7:25 pm

where do you live??? ne idaho?

 
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coaledsweat
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Post by coaledsweat » Thu. Jun. 09, 2016 9:06 pm

He is in western Mass.

I would post an ad on craigslist and see if you can get a licensed local to moonlight. They will usually work cheap (cash), know what they are doing and you can help and learn what it's all about.


 
Pacowy
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Post by Pacowy » Thu. Jun. 09, 2016 9:43 pm

What part of western MA?

Mike

 
Earthscape
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Post by Earthscape » Fri. Jun. 10, 2016 8:02 am

Border of Hampden and Berkshire counties, Blandford.

 
Pacowy
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Post by Pacowy » Fri. Jun. 10, 2016 9:19 am

I think forum member Clousseau is near there, and not too long ago had a Keystoker boiler installed. It might be worth sending him a message to get further info on his experience and contractor. I know the furnace install would be different, but you're also talking about some piping, and maybe that high quote reflects a lack of familiarity with coal equipment.

Mike

 
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coaledsweat
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Post by coaledsweat » Fri. Jun. 10, 2016 9:51 am

Pacowy wrote:maybe that high quote reflects a lack of familiarity with coal equipment.
2 men, 2 days at most and some materials. $6000 isn't a lack of familiarity, it is highway robbery.


 
Pacowy
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Post by Pacowy » Fri. Jun. 10, 2016 10:00 am

No doubt it's unreasonably high; my point was that the bidder may have been trying to make sure they didn't get the job, or that they would get enough for it to pay for finding and bringing in someone who knows coal stuff.

Mike

 
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Post by Clousseau » Sun. Jun. 12, 2016 8:19 am

I live next door to you in Chester; the heating guy I use puts in 30+ units a year for me and another government program run in western MA. He lives in Ware, but does travel everywhere. He charged me around $1800 to install my Keystoker boiler last year. The guy does a great job, knows controls well, and is quick and professional. Call me at 413-667-3245 and we can talk.

 
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Post by lzaharis » Sun. Jun. 12, 2016 12:29 pm

coaledsweat wrote:
Pacowy wrote:maybe that high quote reflects a lack of familiarity with coal equipment.
2 men, 2 days at most and some materials. $6000 isn't a lack of familiarity, it is highway robbery.
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Sound like my job for the KAA-4-1 at 5 days and 52 hours of labor and a few parts for almost 6K I am glad they are gone!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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