Slant fin 80 baseboards vs radiant heat

monty1970

closer to 50k but original price was 43k then we found a busted sewer waste line and added some work in the bathrooms, but even that stuff I had to just take his work, refused itemized estimate- am i wrong for asking for that? Is he supposed to give it if I ask? Can he just make up prices and hand me an estimate with a $ on it? I as the homeowner have the right to receive anything I ask for itemized to be shown to me-right there I should of fired him and know he was taking advantage - If a contractor does not use material(5 thermostats) that were priced in- right there my point is proven that he is a thief- Only a dishonest plumber would try to take money for items not installed- beside my issue with the bb vs radiant- other things have arisen that are less costly that he refuses to discuss- now if you think this is honest business practice I do not know what to tell you. It's like me going into a car dealership and picking out a 50k car but change my mind for the less expensive 40k model but the salesmen tells me I still have to pay the 50k-

Bob Bona_4

Perhaps when the job is complete he will credit back the 5 stats if 9 were quoted and 4 were used. Line iteming a job can be difficult and deceiving when often there is crossover labor and materials needed for two seperate, but associated tasks.

It would be much more fair to hear his side as well.

Rich_49

So , now we are getting more of the actual story . How much was the plumbing part of the original bid and how much was heating ?
Yes , he should give you itemized , maybe . If he wants to get paid he should . Speaking for myself , you would receive itemized bill , all signed change work orders . Then I would demand payment in full and give you 7 days to respond to my itemized bill accompanied by payment , less any disputed items , but some sort of payment . That's what the law is for and NJ signed into law the Prompt construction payment act in 2005 just for situations like the one you are involved in . It is just too easy to not pay a contractor for services rendered and too many smaller shops were being hurt . So , when I send that invoice , in detailed fashion you have 7 days to respond in writing with your payment and an explanation of why certain items are being withheld . if you do not , your claim is effectively done and after 30 days you start owing current prime interest rate plus 1 1/2 % monthly on the balance . When the rules are followed by all parties it is really a cut and dry dispute .
So , if your job was supposed to be all radiant and it changed I must ask , why it changed . Please remember I am neither for or against you or the contractor , at the end of the day one or both parties acted as they did , usually poorly where dollar amounts are concerned .
Why did you decide to substitute baseboard for radiant ? What don't think you are understanding is what can potentially be involved in the math between the 2 methods . The cost of the thermostats could very easily be offset by time in the office redesigning the system to utilize baseboard as opposed to radiant . radiant is done in 1 trip to the site whereas baseboard requires 2 trips in many cases . Baseboard may have used copper tubing as opposed to inexpensive pex . maybe he designed right and increased length of baseboards to use low water temps so you could still experience the efficiency of condensing equipment . Hell maybe he did not and used a homerun method to all the rooms that have baseboard in which case the price may increase over the original radiant price . There are just too many variables for us to support your discussion without all the information . By the way , I hope you're taking notes because these are the things that will need to be answered in any litigation . Better find yourself a really good heating guy to perform witness duties because if you came into court with Joe Schmo from the supply house counter against me I would tear him apart in arbitration .
If you'd like help , tell us in detail how this went down and please , please refrain from making the general , "plumbers are thieves " statement . It is quite offensive . Especially here where we all give our time freely to assist people whom have real problems .
One more question , Does the system heat the house ? Reason i ask this is because I have seen a judicial official ask that question and close a case when the plaintiff said Yes . There is not much difference in the court's eyes between a heating system and a properly functioning heating system . As the consumer you are supposed to know what you are buying and from whom you are buying it . What is your location also ?

icesailor

No where is it mentioned anywhere in this string of discussions is the fact that Slant-Fin #15 and #30 is "residential" baseboard. That #80 is considered "commercial". #80 is also almost 3X the list price of the other two and a much heavier gauge metal. And because you are probably going to run low temperatures, you need much more of it. Because it has a higher output per foot, and you needed a lot of low temperature output, #80 may have been the only choice. #15 is the choice of CHEAP. #80 never is. Usually only used in Residential when a room has a lot of loss, and not a lot of wall space. Or, you need the output for low temperatures. Residential installers that use it often do so that the owners "precious Wonders" don't kick dents in the #15 without breaking their toesies. #15 often come with designer curves built right in them, in the box.

As far as the zones from 9 to 4, you still have to run the same amount of pipe. You still connect all the pipe to manifolds. The cost of a few thermostats?

Don't expect that a 30 pack of Bud Lite will cost and taste the same as a special custom batch of craft beer.