[Velvet]

What do you think? Village Plumber wants my feedback. $250 to flush 40 gallon tank. Took about an hour with a hose. No parts, no installation.

[retiredguy123]

The price is way too high. This is an easy DIY or handyman project. No need for a plumber. Also, the Rheem manual does not recommend flushing out a hot water tank. If it is a Rheem, read your manual.

Note that I recently had Mike Scott Plumbing provide and install a new garbage disposal for $240, total price for materials and labor. The Home Depot price for the disposal alone was $117.

[petsetc]

A very expensive lesson. YouTube is you friend.

In fairness, they did have to send a person in a truck to you for an hour. So maybe 150 should be the number, but I suspect they have a rate schedule that accounts for time if problems occur.

[photo1902]

Originally Posted by retiredguy123

The price is way too high. This is an easy DIY or handyman project. No need for a plumber. Also, the Rheem manual does not recommend flushing out a hot water tank. If it is a Rheem, read your manual.

Note that I recently had Mike Scott Plumbing provide and install a new garbage disposal for $240, total price for materials and labor. The Home Depot price for the disposal alone was $117.

Super easy DIY job.

[retiredguy123]

In the past, I have read some good reviews about this company, Village Plumbing. But, this is the second social media posting I have read within a week about possible overcharging and/or deceptive practices.

When I have a clearly defined plumbing project or other project, I want a phone quote before I schedule an appointment. I would never hire a contractor to come to my house to do a specific job without a firm price quote. There is no reason why a plumber could not have told you exactly what they would charge to flush out a water heater tank. Suppose they had asked you for $2,000?

[Velvet]

Well, I don’t have hubby to run ideas by him but as you say an expensive lesson. And you know I’m going to keep repeating it so that other people may learn the lesson through me. If anyone doubts I can post the invoice.

[retiredguy123]

Originally Posted by petsetc

A very expensive lesson. YouTube is you friend.

In fairness, they did have to send a person in a truck to you for an hour. So maybe 150 should be the number, but I suspect they have a rate schedule that accounts for time if problems occur.

I could somewhat agree with $150 for a plumber. But, this is really not a job that requires the expertise of a licensed plumber. Perhaps the company could have told the OP that in advance.

[Bogie Shooter]

Originally Posted by Velvet

What do you think? Village Plumber wants my feedback. $250 to flush 40 gallon tank. Took about an hour with a hose. No parts, no installation.

Whose idea was it to flush the tank…..and why?

[Velvet]

The water was not getting as hot as before. I have heard popping previously when the tank was heating. I was told it was deposits. The water temperature is the same as it was before so the flushing made no difference.

[retiredguy123]

Originally Posted by Bogie Shooter

Whose idea was it to flush the tank…..and why?

Good question. I know some will disagree, but my advice about water heaters is to leave it alone until it fails, and then buy a new one. There is a plumbing company on this website that will replace the entire water heater, including an expansion tank, for $875.

[Velvet]

Well, retiredguy and my friends here at TOTV, we learn from each other.

[Keefelane66]

It amazes how people get taken in The Villages for the simplest tasks.

[Velvet]

Originally Posted by Keefelane66

It amazes how people get taken in The Villages for the simplest tasks.

Yes, actually I had a much bigger job in line for them. This was just an introduction. And they’ve also introduced themselves now to TOTV.

[Bomarsh]

Go on you tube and watch DIY repairs on video.

[Rainger99]

Originally Posted by Velvet

Well, I don’t have a hubby to run ideas by him but as you say an expensive lesson

You should always get at least three quotes and then run it by TOTV. There are enough knowledgeable people here that they can give you some advice on what the cost should be.

That should reduce the chances of getting ripped off.