Paul B

I am having trouble finding someone that can do a radiator system in a new home in Arbutus Maryland. Any help?

The customer is purchasing radiator from a salvage joint and wants them in her new victorian home.

thom

Can't help with install. Radiators have a life expectancy of 60years. The salvage ones your customer found are likely that old already. They are likely corroded. Why would she bother?

Paul B

I have explained all this to her. I used to do a lot of this work with my father when I was a kid. He would smash those dang things up with the maul and I would haul them out. She is insisting this is the best heat ever.

Hurley

She may have read radiators can be up to 60% more efficient but no one should expect that from salvaged gear. If she's bent on it though you might find a plumber that can swing it.

littlefatdog

woa woa woa... everyone in my part of town is still using original or 70+ year old radiators. i'd have to agree with her - radiant heat is the best, especially in victorian homes with high ceilings. nice decorative radiators around here are highly sought after. they will last many many more years, longer than the new joints that supply them
-its just cast iron - there arent better modern equivalents.

Paul B

OK I found someone willing to do the heating with radiators. He is suppling the boiler and all pipe and labor to install, the customer is suppling the radiators. He wants $33,000 (choke choke choke). It is a 2800 sf house on two stories. Does this sound reasonable to anyone?

Paul

Same Old

Sounds like he doesn't want to mess with old radiators.

skymaster

There is one Hell of alot of work doing radiators>
However bufore I get myself any deeper the one thing NOT said yet: Is this a Hot Water system with radiators or Steam?
Steam is lots and lots of work. Dont know that there is many left that can cut and thread and all those fun things. Also not said, are these recycled radiators cleaned out and the old bushings removed or does this guy have to do all that to use them?
JackM

Paul B

This is a hot water job not steam. All radiators are going to be torn down and refurbished prior to delivery.

PIPES

He saw you coming and labeled you a pigeon. Keep shopping.

able14

The lady is right the cast iron will be a nice even heat before everybody starts judging the guys price maybe you should let us know more about the quote what kind of boiler how many zones is there outdoor reset does the price include indirect water heater.oil tank or gas piping what kind of pipe are the mains going to be is it going to be a monoflo system or 2pipe is piping going to be insulated is contractor removing old system who opens the walls and ceiling how long would it take you to run all that pipe and set the boiler 1 mechanic 1 helper for 120 hours 12000.00 if it doesnt take longer and we all know there giving the materials away at the supply house maybe he is going to install a veismann boiler or buderus we just installed a utica gas boiler that cost us over 3000. oo and have installed some viessmans a vitodens cost around 6 grand with no trim .just like a gc to tell the customer how to spend there money he's afraid there wont be enough for him. builder I have hydro air in my house yeah its not that comfortable but I get ac to