Response from Tony LaMartina Plumbing Company Inc
Thank you for your review. However, the Big Deal offered on Angie's List and the scope of your project are two completely different items. You are mixing up apples and oranges. Yes, you are correct that that price we quoted you was approximately 440% of the advertised price on Angie's List. According to the email sent to me last Friday (see below), you indicated that you already purchased the water heater and it was onsite. Therefore, I'm not sure why you are referencing an Angie's List deal that you had no intention of purchasing since you already had purchased a brand new AO Smith Power Vent water heater. The water heater deal we offer on Angie's List is for the REPLACEMENT of a 50 gallon conventional water heater. If the conventional water heater is gas, then a galvanized flue will be required (electric water heaters do not require a flue). A PowerVent water heater is COMPLETELY different than a conventional water heater and therefore the requirements for installation are completely different. Your project required a skilled plumber to drill through multiple concrete and brick walls and relocate the new water heater to a completely different area of the building. As much as we welcomed the opportunity to be of service to you, unfortunately there was simply no way for us to perform the installation you requested at the price of $995.00. I'm sure, as a local St. Louis architect, you've been in the unfortunate (or fortunate) position of having to inform a prospective client that a project you're designing for them simply cannot be built for the budget they've set aside. For the purposes of context, I've included the original email you sent me on Friday, February 28, 2014 detailing the scope of your project: ******EMAIL BELOW****** This job is the piping of a new 50gal gas water heater with power vent, at a NEW location in the basement. The water heater is on-site. An extension of the Hot, Cold, Gas, and Vent piping is required to service the new location. Attached is a prelim layout for the piping (ML: I am unable to attach supporting documents to this Angie's List Reply): a) Basement Plan @ 3/4" scale b) Basement Section/Elevation @ 3/4" scale; c) AO Smith 'typical installation' page from manual. d) Photo of location in basement Water pipes and vent dimensions are shown on plans. (With an overage of about 3% longer than required.) Horizontal gas line (hanging off ceiling joists) from house meter/connection to directly above water heater, is 45'-7". Vertical gas line from joist to tank connection is 6'-5". All dimensions are for estimating purposes. Field check before installing. This is a quote request for labor & material for pipe installation, valves, and fittings to operate water heater. Verify existing connection sizes, and pull Permit. We are without hot water now. I would appreciate a quote response and follow-up work schedule, ASAP. ******END OF EMAIL****** If you would like to discuss this matter in greater detail, I would welcome your call or email. Sincerest Regards, Matt LaMartina General Manager Tony LaMartina Plumbing Company, Inc.