My father's house is heated by hot water baseboard with a three-zone system (basement, 1st floor & 2nd floor).
There was no heat in the upper two floors and the basement was excessively hot. He has a contract with the local energy company (PSE&G). The PSE&G guy said the basement zone valve was stuck open.
He did something to shut it off, which then resulted in heat to the upper floors; which was the most important thing. He said the basement zone valve needs to be replaced by a plumber. He also noted that one of the other zone valves, while operating, was quite corroded and should be replaced as well.
I called a local plumber (based on numerous positive online reviews). Two workers showed up and surveyed the situation. They agreed with the PSE&G guy that both zone valves should be replaced.
They called the boss to get a quote for the work. I could hear the boss telling the worker to replace all three zone valves. The worker correctly noted that there was no reason to replace the third valve as it looked new. I then hear the boss telling the worker to replace the thermostats. Again, the worker says that, while they're old, they still work. I then hear the boss telling the worker to replace the expansion tank...
Bottom line, they want $975 to replace both zones valves; which obviously includes draining and refilling the system. I told the workers I would need to think about it and he was very understanding. Of course though, he calls the boss who now wants to talk with me.
He starts berating me for wasting his time and says not to call back as they will not return for a $400 job (note they were going to charge us $975).
So...my question is...what is a reasonable charge for replacing two zone valves?
As an FYI, this is in the northeastern part of the U.S. (New Jersey to be exact).
There was no heat in the upper two floors and the basement was excessively hot. He has a contract with the local energy company (PSE&G). The PSE&G guy said the basement zone valve was stuck open.
He did something to shut it off, which then resulted in heat to the upper floors; which was the most important thing. He said the basement zone valve needs to be replaced by a plumber. He also noted that one of the other zone valves, while operating, was quite corroded and should be replaced as well.
I called a local plumber (based on numerous positive online reviews). Two workers showed up and surveyed the situation. They agreed with the PSE&G guy that both zone valves should be replaced.
They called the boss to get a quote for the work. I could hear the boss telling the worker to replace all three zone valves. The worker correctly noted that there was no reason to replace the third valve as it looked new. I then hear the boss telling the worker to replace the thermostats. Again, the worker says that, while they're old, they still work. I then hear the boss telling the worker to replace the expansion tank...
Bottom line, they want $975 to replace both zones valves; which obviously includes draining and refilling the system. I told the workers I would need to think about it and he was very understanding. Of course though, he calls the boss who now wants to talk with me.
He starts berating me for wasting his time and says not to call back as they will not return for a $400 job (note they were going to charge us $975).
So...my question is...what is a reasonable charge for replacing two zone valves?
As an FYI, this is in the northeastern part of the U.S. (New Jersey to be exact).
