Melissa2007B
Member
I've had the same electric washer & dryer for 34 years now, so I figure I'm due an upgrade?
( Whirlpool washer and dryer - still running, though the washer is making some sounds lately. Can parts be gotten for these? Can they still be repaired? )
Never had a gas dryer before, but I understand they save a lot on energy, and we have a gas water heater and gas forced air heat, here in Colorado.
So I researched Consumer Reports, found some highly rated models that were on sale last month, got a good deal at Home Depot and paid for the gas hookup with them. Scheduled delivery for today. Figured we were all set.
When they arrived, they told me that the "hookup" didn't include running a line and shutoff valve over to the dryer area, which is literally 2 feet away. It apparently only includes hooking up to such a line, if it's already there. But this house was built in 2004, it's modular, and it has a gas water heater next to the dryer, but no hookup yet, for a gas dryer.
So they said I needed to reschedule delivery and get a plumber to do this. <sigh>
So I'm reluctant to hire anyone on CraigsList anymore, being there are tons of shady types, ex-cons, etc, who will tell any lie to get cash work, possibly casing my house when they're here. SO I went to Yelp! and looked for plumbers in my area. I asked for 4 quotes but two of them weren't in the area, though Yelp! said they were. One of the other ones wants $150 for the first hour and a little less after that. ( OMG! Should this TAKE over an hour?! ) Whew. I already paid $100 more for the gas dryer instead of electric.
The other one wants me to pay for them to come over and give an estimate, which I imagine will be the same as the first one's. They claim that they have to make sure that the gas capacity will work with this, which doesn't sound right. I mean, we have pipes going to the furnace and water heater already. Could they seriously be talking about having to increase the whole capacity of the system for this? In that case, I'd be canceling this whole thing and keeping my 34 year old appliances!
So how hard can this be? Can I just go to Home Depot and get the stuff and do this myself? Yes, I'm aware of safety concerns.
Below is a photo, showing the existing gas pipe to the water heater, on the lower left. The existing electric dryer is right there on the left, on the other side of the drywall. This is a UBC modular house - built in 2005. Don't know if that makes a difference - doubt it.
Don't freak out on me or anything. I'm waiting for your input before even thinking of doing this myself, which is why I'm posting. I just cant afford an extra $300 for a half hour's work by a plumber.
Maybe a pro handyman from Yelp!?
( Whirlpool washer and dryer - still running, though the washer is making some sounds lately. Can parts be gotten for these? Can they still be repaired? )
Never had a gas dryer before, but I understand they save a lot on energy, and we have a gas water heater and gas forced air heat, here in Colorado.
So I researched Consumer Reports, found some highly rated models that were on sale last month, got a good deal at Home Depot and paid for the gas hookup with them. Scheduled delivery for today. Figured we were all set.
When they arrived, they told me that the "hookup" didn't include running a line and shutoff valve over to the dryer area, which is literally 2 feet away. It apparently only includes hooking up to such a line, if it's already there. But this house was built in 2004, it's modular, and it has a gas water heater next to the dryer, but no hookup yet, for a gas dryer.
So they said I needed to reschedule delivery and get a plumber to do this. <sigh>
So I'm reluctant to hire anyone on CraigsList anymore, being there are tons of shady types, ex-cons, etc, who will tell any lie to get cash work, possibly casing my house when they're here. SO I went to Yelp! and looked for plumbers in my area. I asked for 4 quotes but two of them weren't in the area, though Yelp! said they were. One of the other ones wants $150 for the first hour and a little less after that. ( OMG! Should this TAKE over an hour?! ) Whew. I already paid $100 more for the gas dryer instead of electric.
The other one wants me to pay for them to come over and give an estimate, which I imagine will be the same as the first one's. They claim that they have to make sure that the gas capacity will work with this, which doesn't sound right. I mean, we have pipes going to the furnace and water heater already. Could they seriously be talking about having to increase the whole capacity of the system for this? In that case, I'd be canceling this whole thing and keeping my 34 year old appliances!
So how hard can this be? Can I just go to Home Depot and get the stuff and do this myself? Yes, I'm aware of safety concerns.
Below is a photo, showing the existing gas pipe to the water heater, on the lower left. The existing electric dryer is right there on the left, on the other side of the drywall. This is a UBC modular house - built in 2005. Don't know if that makes a difference - doubt it.
Don't freak out on me or anything. I'm waiting for your input before even thinking of doing this myself, which is why I'm posting. I just cant afford an extra $300 for a half hour's work by a plumber.
Maybe a pro handyman from Yelp!?