Cost of FMQ 2-36 install

[kuykendallc]

First of all, I live in Oklahoma City and live in a new house that was built 9 months ago. I have a GX on order and have been trying to get everything lined up to get a FMQ 2-36 installed. The location of the equipment is 40 ft from where both the gas and electric services enter my home (although gas pipe runs within 25 ft of where I want the equipment installed). I am taking bids for both the gas and electric work done to a point where an installer can take over. Here is my question. I know that prices are different (can be very different) in different parts of the country, but what should I expect on a 40 ft run. My first bid on electric is $400 and for the gas is $1200. The electric sounds reasonable (40ft 220v single phase circuit with 20 amp 2 pole breaker switch), but the gas seems pretty high(tie into existing 1" pipe and have a 25-30 ft run). I have another electrician and another plumber coming out tomorrow to get more bids. I have contacted both Tulsa Gas Technologies and Pressure Solutions and both have stated that worst case scenario would be $2000 total. I feel like my case (brand new home and a mere 40 ft) is far from worst case scenario, even lower than the $1600 I have been quoted. Anyone have any thoughts?

[minimade]

Re: Cost of FMQ 2-36 install

we just installed a second fuelmaker at the shop....240v circut in conduit cost $167, gas from meter, cost $377 and run was ca. 25 feet of flex. We used a regular plumber who works for us weekly. We ran a 2 inch conduit from FM-4 to second c3 for future high pressure cross-over, and second 1 inch conduit for controls. Fuelmaker dealer said Stainless steel lines are malleable and with long sweeps, line should push thru easily. We also ran conduits and electric for a c3 remote panel or additional C3 so we can fill 1-2-3-4 vehicles.....and higher flow, too

[Steve]

Re: Cost of FMQ 2-36 install

What you are paying for when it comes to natural gas pipe is the fact that the contractor has the proper tools to cut midway into a pipe and put in a 'T'. He has all the power pipe cutters and threaders which are not cheap and a pain in the neck to use if you try to use the manual pipe cutters and threaders. I would have done my own pipe if it were not for this fact as natural gas is low pressure and is relatively easy to get a proper seal.

I did do the electrical work myself (it sounds so fancy but it wasn't). Strung wire through my walls, connected it to a two pull circuit, connected to a quick disconnect box along with pulling the wire through the proper conduit. If you can get to your circuit breaker relatively easily, then you could probably do the electrical work for 1/2 the cost.

[cnguser]

Re: Cost of FMQ 2-36 install

On the electrical side:
The FMQ-2-36 runs at about 7 amps and only needs a 15 amp breaker, NOT a 20 amp. Yes, they do make a 15 Amp @ 220 VAC! (I did my own electrical, with a permit and inspection of course). You only need 14 gage wire for the 15 amp circuit, not 12 gage as 20 amp would require. This will save you some costs, being copper is so sky high now.

[freedml]

Re: Cost of FMQ 2-36 install

You could try to find someone to do BOTH electrical and gas. That could cut down some on the costs. Also get your own permit so he doesn't have to spend the time.

[Alaska GX]

Re: Cost of FMQ 2-36 install

Those costs sound about right...the contractors have insurance to pay and must do the work to code. I'm installing a FMQ2-36 this month in Alaska and will have about 1,200 in costs. My gas line line was only 3 feeet away and I already had a 1" tee in place. The 1,200 included sub meters for elect and gas, I wanted to be able to track my home fueling costs.


Good Luck

[John Mitton]

Re: Cost of FMQ 2-36 install

My FMQ-2-36 was $1,000 to install.
He had to run a gas line from the basement up into the garage and then punch a hole to the outside cement pad. We needed to use some expensive flex tubing for part of the run from the basement up but most of the approx. 30 foot run was simple piping. Fortunately I had 240v right where I wanted the unit to be as it was near the electric meter. He installed a breaker box and we were done.

[kuykendallc]

Re: Cost of FMQ 2-36 install

UPDATE: I had my second round of contractors come by to do estimates. These were a lot better, not only in price but also seeming to be more knowledgable in the specific codes of my town and in plumping and electrical in general. The electical bid dropped from $400 to $300 and the plumbing dropped from $1200 to $800. I believe I have found my contractors, but I am doing one more round and will let you know how it goes.

[Rickinokc]

Re: Cost of FMQ 2-36 install

So how did everything work out?

[in_cognito]

Re: Cost of FMQ 2-36 install

My Install Cost for an FMQ 2-36.

Electrical : $250 (5 hours $50/hour) I also added a outlet next to the FMQ.

Plumbing : $300 For a 3 foot run of a 3/4" gas line from my gas meter.

Brick Platform: Labor = $0 ( I did it, it's not pretty), Materials $50 in cored bricks, some rebar pieces, 4 to 5 bags of fencepost and regular cement. 4 Anchor bolts. $50 in gas valve and 3/4 inch flex hose.

For a total of about $700 I got done what the "Authorized Phill Installer" quoted me $2500 for.

In addition to this cost I will incur the cost of the "Startup visit" from the FMQ tech when we start it.

[kuykendallc]

Re: Cost of FMQ 2-36 install

So how did everything work out?

I decided to hold off on the HRA until next year. The almost 12k upfront needed was a little too steep for me this year.