Install dishwasher/permit???

[ejb]

OK, about as far as tractor related as anything, but I know there is a lot of handy people here, so I'll ask anyway.

My dishwasher died. It had a good life, about 15-20 years, so I don't want to spend any money trying to bring it back to life.

A new one is going to cost me about $300, and if the installation is standard, $99 to install it and take the old one away.

The part that burns me, is that they are going to charge me $20 to get a permit...a freaking permit to replace a dishwasher...whats next, a permit to go to the bathroom?

Anyway, the $99 install fee doesn't bother me nearly as much as the $20 permit so I am thinking that I should install this myself.

My question: should the install be relatively easy? The new one will slip right into the same spot as the old one, obviously there is already water, dainage and electricy in place. Am I going to run into unique problems, or will it most likely use all the same connections w/out modicications...anyone?

 

[cowboydoc]

They are a piece of cake to install. If you can change the oil in your car you can change your dishwasher. Just pull the old one out, unhook the water supply and the electrical supply. Rehook the same and slide back in and attach. It really is that simple. If you want pics and details black and decker has a home plumbing book that details the whole process for about $10. Should take you all of about 1-2 hours even if you don't know what you are doing.

 

[JohnS]

The $20 permit is just to make sure the tax assessor picks-up on the fact, for they won't miss any opportunity to raise your assessment!!! Just my opinion.

JohnS

 

[MarkV]

ejb,

Go for it! Cowboydoc is right on, you should not have any problems. The only thing I would add, is turn the power off before you start. The water fittings are pretty standard, the only one I have ever had to buy a new fitting for was a Bosch.(excellent dishwasher) Remove the cover at the bottom of the washer and take a look. I think you will be able to see how easy it will be.

I have never heard of a permit to replace a dishwasher. It would be interesting to hear that from the building department rather than the installer.

MarkV

 

[CVHoss]

<font color=blue>they are going to charge me $20 to get a permit...</font color=blue>

My God, I'm glad I live in Kansas/w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

Hoss

 

[Anderson]

I've remodeled a couple of our kitchens, and the dishwasher is the easiest part - about a 2 hour job.

All you need is a screwdriver, and a crescent wrench.

 

[utahmule]

Before we moved out here we were in Chicago. We had to get a permit for replacing a water heater, and even replacing two double hung windows with a picture window. They would even go so far as to go around on trash pickup day to check for the old ones sitting on the curb for collection. If they found something and you did not have a permit pulled on record, they'd mail you a bill, fine , and permit application.

I should say we should have gotten permits. You be amazed what you go do unnoticed. Although it did require a few lat night runs to my father-in-laws in the country for disposal of the evidence. HA!!

Eric

 

[dmccarty]

Is the "permit" a disposal fee?

Here in NC the state charges a disposal fee up front when you purchase an appliance. I don't know why this is done except to generate more tax revenue. When we bought a new dishwasher I paid to have it installed AND take away the old one. The old washer was the one put into the house when it was built in 1977. 20+ years on a dishwasher is pretty good! It still worked but it was rusted a bit and noisy as heck. The new Maytag, we got a heck of a deal on it, is great. Quiet and really does a good job cleaning the dishes and pans. I think I paid $50 for the installation and removal of the old unit. $100 seem kinda high to me.

Later...
Dan

 

[RobS]

ejb, it is a breeze. I replaced ours last year. My only "difficulty" was the fresh water connection on the new one was 90 degrees from the old and the water line hole in the floor was in the wrong place. I ended up drilling a different hole and I was back in business. The drain line and 110V was a snap. Go for it /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

 

[Bird]

Ouch, the only time I ever paid someone to install one was in the old mobile home that was here when we first bought the place (I didn't have a pickup at the time, and also didn't have time to do it) and Sears delivered it, installed it, and hauled off the old one for $50 (of course, that was nearly 7 years ago). I've replaced pumps and motors in 3 dishwashers in past years, and installed the dishwasher next door when I helped the guy remodel the kitchen. And then this double-wide we have now came with a GE dishwasher and the pump sprung a leak after 3 years. I found that they don't sell the pump separately for that model; you have to buy pump and motor as an assembly. So instead, I junked it, and put a new Maytag in myself. Sure wish I could find a job installing them for $99 each./w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif

Bird

 

[Mike_Dumond]

ejb, check with the town, it may be that you need a permit for a first time install, but not for replacement. Could be the installers are taking advantage of this and charging for every installation. As has been said, it is a very easy install. Just read the directions. It's easier than hooking some attachments to the 3ph.

Also, every town is different, so what you have to put up with, may be different than what i put up with.

Keep the greasy side down.
Mike

 

[mikim]

Over the years I've installed / replaced 4 - 5 dishwashers and they were all basically the same. easy - they were all held in place by screws that screw up into the counter top. They might be hard to see - look at the very front - and up under the lip of the counter. After that the water and elect connections are visible and straight forward. I agree on turning off the power - and the water. Expect to make a mess with left over water in the lines - both supply and drain - and have plenty of rags and a bucket readily available. The only advise I'd have is to be carefull about over tightening the supply line. Some of the supply connections I've seen are easily broken. Use teflon tape on the threads and tighten to snu-ug. (torque value = 1/2 grunt)/w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif
mike

 

[MarkV]

ejb,

I had one other thought that might help if you find the water supply line does not match up with the new unit. You can use the flex metal supply lines, sold at hardware stores, to add to your existing line. The fittings should be a match.

MarkV

 

[ejb]

OK, the vote is in. I am going to install it myself. Didn't think it would be a big deal, and I am pretty handy, just not something I have done before.

The $20 is indeed a permit, not a disposal fee. I suspect part of the $99 may cover the disposal costs...they wanted the $20 check made out to the town I live in, so it really is a permit.

I haven't taken a permit out for anything, including major renovations to my previous house. One of the benefits of living in the middle of a large chunk of land...now if I could just convince my wife to move out of the peoples republic of massachusetts....

 

[bpence]

Oooohhhhhhh. You live in Taxachussets. That explains a whole lot.

Dishwasher installation. About as hard as hooking up your bush hog the very first time, never having done it before. Well, maybe not quite that hard.

Bob Pence

 

[beenthere]

Me thinks the framers of the Constitution tried their best to protect us from big Government, but in 200 years we have ridden it into the ground, and I don't see any relief from more and more big Government. This morning, I had to visit the local township for a permit (turned out to be four of them) to build a covered, enclosed 3 season porch. At every turn, the cash register clicked and the total came to $289. Now, the inspector will get his pay based on how many and how much the permits come to. His bosses look at his work, and he in turn looks at mine. The more they can add - AC, wood burner, electric, plumbing, etc., etc. inspections. They will hover over this little addition practically every day, and want to show how much expertise they have, by saying what is wrong and what needs to be changed. Enough said.

 

[Harv]

<font color=blue>a freaking permit to replace a dishwasher</font color=blue>

Unless things have changed recently here in my county in the S.F. East Bay Area, we are technically required to obtain a permit to replace a light switch. Nobody bothers, of course, but it's on the books. /w3tcompact/icons/crazy.gif

 

[beenthere]

And I expect the fee is to pay the inspector to come to check that the light switch is put in according to code. And while he is there, he (or she) will check to see if the rest of the house electricals are up to code, and only sign off if they is. I have heard of $3-4000 electric re-wiring jobs, as a result of one electrical update (like a switch).