I would like to hear about cost estimate to replace a 4 foot long baseboard heater radiator.
Other than the material cost for the baseboard housing and heater element, what should I expect to be charged for the labor to "drop the boiler"? I am considering a SlantFin
This is, a new term for me that apparently means draining the boiler's heated water loop, then installing the baseboard heater itself, followed by labor to refill and bleed the baseboard heater water line.
Does this task involve a plumming permit? I live in Babylon on Long Island.
Don't know what you will be charged or what it would cost, local conditions will dictate.
Did you know that you can just replace the covers? If your replacement is aesthetic only you may want to consider this. It often does not involve any plumbing depending on what you have.
I have contacted the local SlantFin distributor and have pricing info for 4 foot SlantFin Fine/Line Models:
Option 1: Model Fine/Line 30RR (Rust resistant; only available as complete unit with heating element and end caps) $88.00
Option 2: Model FineLine 30 (with element and end caps) $50.94
Option 3: Dummy housing $24.52
One contractor wants to charge $325.00 to "drop the boiler". To me, that amount seems to be excessive. However, I am not aware of how much billing-time it shall take to do this task. I imagine that a pro would require 1 hour to do this task. ?
Our bathroom is going to be gutted. Existing configuration is a simple series heated water loop. The bathroom's heating element is the first baseboard heater in the series loop.
If I go with Option 3 above, I find it difficult to understand that no plumbing will be involved. Since the exterior wall shall be redone with wall tiles, the existing heater's backboard piece probably shall be destroyed in the process, etc.
With Option 3 above, how can I be certain that the existing heating element (not a SlantFin model) will be properly positioned within the new housing ?
Ahhh, more information. Yes, IMO $325 is a bit excessive just to drain the boiler. It may be reasonable too. Cant really tell from here. Get a few different quotes. You may need to have the plumbers back more than once.
This plan assumes no heat during renovation.
Visit one - During demo
- Drain system
- remove existing baseboard
Visit two - During rough in
- Rough in plumbing for new baseboard
Visit three - at finish stage
- do final install of baseboard heating unit.
If you needed heat or boiler operation then the loop would need to be temporarily reconnected or shut off from rest of system. Given its summer where you are probably live it probably not a big deal to shut down during the project unless your boiler also serves domestic hot water.
If you go with just new covers you need to get them from the same manufacturer to ensure proper fit. Yours may not be able to accept new covers though. And, given you want to tile the wall behind then the whole unit may need to move forward a bit anyway. Really the cost here is NOT in the baseboard materials its in the labor.
$325 for the whole job, as I described above, is a great price.
My guess, depending on location, and totally taking a stab in the dark. Would be the entire job should cost between $1000 and $2000.
I don't do much BB, but I do know that I could add a 4 foot section of it in a day, especially if it's accessible from below. Depending on how the boiler is set up for purging, that could possible be the easiest part of the job.
I'd think $325 was a bit light, but less than $500 would be a good 'not to exceed' price.
Ever consider Radiant Floor heat for the bathroom?
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