I recently had to have my water heater replaced and was not sure where to start. I got five estimates, starting with OSH/Sears and Lowe’s. Both estimates were in the $900.00 range without actually seeing the job. They stipulated that the cost might change if work had to be done to bring the system “up to code”. This is warning sing to me for a possible large jump in price. Then I went to the phone book and picked three more. Two of the companies gave me estimates of almost double the $900.00 figure but did not specifically list what additional work would be needed. Then I contacted FAST Water Heater Company. Their over the phone estimate was the lowest of all, which make me a little skeptical. But, they were pleasant to deal with on the phone and I thought I would have them come out and see what might change. They said they could do the job for the phone estimate, but that would not bring the installation up to code. I wanted the job done right, so I asked them what that would cost. The price jump was considerable, but after 15 years, the codes have changed and the original installation was done on the cheap I’m sure. Even with that, there cost was well under the other two companies which had provided on-site estimates. I felt comfortable with the FAST personnel. They were very pleasant, informative, and no pressure. I gave them the go-ahead and they did the job in about an hour. They were friendly, courteous, professional, clean, and of course FAST. I don’t like spending lots of money for this sort of thing, but in the end I believe a got a reasonable price and a very good job.
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