feedback on quote for Modine heater in shop

[swelltimes]

Hi all -

I live in Franklin County, MA. Called my current oil / propane supplier for a quote on a propane heater for my work shop.

3 weeks later, got a quote back from my fuel supplier.

My shop is 30 x 23 x 9', two garage doors, and the equivalent of 9 windows. Garage doors are uninsulated, windows are single pane.

When I met with the estimator, I said I'd like to have the shop at ~45° when it was 10° outside.

He came back with the following quote (attached).

A Modine 75k BTU unit, at retail, is ~$735 - $830 (amazon prime).

I fully understand the value of having pros install devices like this, I'm just having a hard time wrapping my head around the ~$2600 labor charge. I know the propane co will drop a tank, and fill it, but that's still a ton of cheddar for a shop heater install.

Am I nuts? Would love any feedback from you all.

 

[ff347]

I really have no frame of reference but that seems high as hell to me, can you find someone besides the people who are selling you the propane to install it?
For that much money get an air stove or water stove and heat your house also with wood.

 

[swelltimes]

More info and a break down from the propane company today. This is minus the original $350 for electric, since I can install the plug myself.

 

[swelltimes]

More info and a break down from the propane company today. This is minus the original $350 for electric, since I can install the plug myself.

View attachment 1599029

Is a 55% mark-up standard?

 

[Prairie Swamp]

I don't know about your area - but around here since the economy is improved and home building is back up it's very common to get a high quote. Either because every contractor is so busy or a contractor is going fishing. When 3 apples to apples quotes are gotten the range from low to high can be 100% difference.

If you have options I would spend a few minutes writing up a simple request for quote and get it to two other outfits (without letting them see the quote you have of course). I don't see how you wouldn't save at least a couple hundred.

That does seem high given the materials involved - but on the other hand nothing is cheap these days and you don't want to be cutting corners on anything propane/gas related.

 

[gofast]

You're getting hosed. I have the hot dog unit plumbed to natural gas. I hung the heater of the ceiling myself using punched angle

Running gas pipe and hookup including chimney through the roof was just over 1800 labour and materials. I purchased the heater directly from a plumbing supply company and I think I paid about 450 in 2014. A while ago I know but labour rates haven't changed that much

 

[gofast]

There's no reason you can't buy the heater, gas pipe, regulator, stack, and thermostat yourself and then its just an install cost.

My rule of thumb is that labour adds about 2/3rds the cost of the materials though, so your local rates may just be fine.

30 feet of gas line pipe cost me 110 dollars and my thermostat was around 30 dollars from Home Depot.. Home depot also sells the pipe hangers for a couple of bucks a piece

 

[swelltimes]

There's no reason you can't buy the heater, gas pipe, regulator, stack, and thermostat yourself and then its just an install cost.

My rule of thumb is that labour adds about 2/3rds the cost of the materials though, so your local rates may just be fine.

30 feet of gas line pipe cost me 110 dollars and my thermostat was around 30 dollars from Home Depot.. Home depot also sells the pipe hangers for a couple of bucks a piece

Yeah, I think that's the route I may go: buy the stuff myself, and then hire a plumber to do the final install and initial firing up, etc.

I can't really abide the 55% markup: even the local plumbing supply place said that was really high.