1st Choice Plumbing should never be anyone's 1st choice is obviously the LOW Bidder selected by Old Republic Home Warranty company. Hot water replacement, Chris from 1St Choice is sent out by Old Republic. First thing Chris says is he can't replace until a restoration company comes to dry the 18inch box the heater is mounted on. Then he insists that the supply lines need replacement with stainless steel flex lines at a $150 upcharge because the old ones were over tightened and the gaskets were flattened. I ask if they are compression fittings and he lies and tells me no. Then he says a drip pan is code and will have to be placed under the new heater, another lie. He quoted $150.00 for new supply lines, $195.00 for the drip pan and $50.00 for disposal of old heater. He then calls the warranty company and tells them the original installation was faulty and they call me and state it will be $715 additional because the total cost is going to be $1340 and they will not cover the upcharges to bring the installation up to code which was not an issue but Chris apparently told them it was. They then propose buying me out by sending me a check for $460 which represents the cost of the new heater less Chris' labor and the $65.00 service charge.
Update called another company plumbing company and the entire job was just a bit over $800.
They charged $35.00 for new supply lines and $50.00 for the drip pan which I elected to install not because it was a code requirement. The haul away of the old unit was included in the overall cost and not an extra. They also confirmed the old supple lines had compression fittings and were rusted from age not improper installation.
Chris and 1st Choice are dishonest and unethical and you would be well advised to stay away fro 1st choice plumbing.