Radon Fan Installation

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fauxfly

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Any of you guys ever get the chance to install a radon fan in a basement. I had a guy tell me its about $1750 to do it. I looked up the parts on the net and could hardly come up with 250 bucks. A fan is 150 bucks and then some 4 inch DWV line from the hardware store. I'm wondering if I'm missing something. Not a lot of technology in this stuff. Pulling a vacuum from under the slab in my basement right. ??

Any thoughts on this guys.

Thanks
 
Was the "guy" a legit contractor and did you factor in the associated overhead costs he may have to run his business.
Thanks to Aline for his overhead costs list.


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fauxfly said:
Any of you guys ever get the chance to install a radon fan in a basement. I had a guy tell me its about $1750 to do it. I looked up the parts on the net and could hardly come up with 250 bucks. A fan is 150 bucks and then some 4 inch DWV line from the hardware store. I'm wondering if I'm missing something. Not a lot of technology in this stuff. Pulling a vacuum from under the slab in my basement right. ??

Any thoughts on this guys.
Click to expand...

Yes, that sounds like they are in a pretty profitable business. Also, those parts don't just install themselves. They have to be installed by someone who will have the expenses listed in electriguy's list.

Normally the radon companies around here wire their their equipment. I doubt any of them are actually licensed to do so, but it happens all the time. Some do a pretty decent job on the electrical, and some totally hack it.
 
fauxfly said:
Any of you guys ever get the chance to install a radon fan in a basement. I had a guy tell me its about $1750 to do it. I looked up the parts on the net and could hardly come up with 250 bucks. A fan is 150 bucks and then some 4 inch DWV line from the hardware store. I'm wondering if I'm missing something. Not a lot of technology in this stuff. Pulling a vacuum from under the slab in my basement right. ??

Any thoughts on this guys.

Thanks
Click to expand...

Had to have a radon fan "system" installed in my house prior to selling it total cost $800. It seems every house has radon these days in my opinion its an easy way for someone to make a few bucks. As you pointed out there is nothing to it.
 
In PA the average cost for a radon mitigation system is about $850.

Only those contractors that are certified through the PA DEP are authorized to install a radon mitigation system.

I see a lot of improperly installed systems done by DIY and contractors. In our state, the DEP will come after you if you are not certified in their program.
 
fauxfly said:
Any of you guys ever get the chance to install a radon fan in a basement. I had a guy tell me its about $1750 to do it. I looked up the parts on the net and could hardly come up with 250 bucks. A fan is 150 bucks and then some 4 inch DWV line from the hardware store. I'm wondering if I'm missing something. Not a lot of technology in this stuff. Pulling a vacuum from under the slab in my basement right. ??

Any thoughts on this guys.

Thanks
Click to expand...

What a crook!!!

I got a price for a service upgrade. $2500.00 bucks! I looked up the parts on the net and could hardly come up with $500.00 bucks.....

:wink:
 
fauxfly said:
Any of you guys ever get the chance to install a radon fan in a basement. I had a guy tell me its about $1750 to do it. I looked up the parts on the net and could hardly come up with 250 bucks. A fan is 150 bucks and then some 4 inch DWV line from the hardware store. I'm wondering if I'm missing something. Not a lot of technology in this stuff. Pulling a vacuum from under the slab in my basement right. ??

Any thoughts on this guys.

Thanks
Click to expand...

Can you describe what's involved with this particular layout your comparing? The ones I see here in NH require two holes to be drilled in to the concrete floor. Then these have to be properly sealed so the water doesn't come up through the floor. Then there's one - and I think it's been 3" PVC run all the way up through the roof, and within the pipe, a fan is installed. So Fauxfly, you must be describing a much simpler system - and I'm just wondering where, in your system, the radon is being vented to.
 
Point taken fellas

I just thought this is the same as going to a trouble call spending a minute pulling out the E-Stop and charging 1000 dollars. The guy works out of his truck part time. I see why its part time... He's making full time wages. I looked at what he would take off for the electrical portion and its very little. He would rather install the electrical himself, I did'nt mention I was a licensed sparky, and could do it myself.

I'm not convinced of this whole thing yet.

Thaks for the perspective though guys, sometimes I need a reality check.

Steve
 
do these radon fan systems really do anything? I find it hard to believe that you can actually get any ventilation under an existing concrete slab by cutting a couple holes in it and attaching a small blower.
 
ultramegabob said:
do these radon fan systems really do anything? I find it hard to believe that you can actually get any ventilation under an existing concrete slab by cutting a couple holes in it and attaching a small blower.
Click to expand...

They work extremely well when you have a gravel bed beneath your slab which most homes do.

They usually core drill a 5" hole then dig out approximately a 5 gallons bucket worth of material to create a small void where the pipe will enter.

Then they install sch 20 pvc pipe and seal it. They have to place the fan either on the outside or in the attic, otherwise it is not a compliant install. If you see a fan in the basement then it does not meet the EPA requirements for installation.

There are a lot of these systems in PA and they are extremely effective. The last home I owned had one installed. Many time with one pipe you can reduce the radon levels to below 1 but as long as they are reduced below 4-pCi/L then you are fine.
 
fauxfly said:
Point taken fellas

I just thought this is the same as going to a trouble call spending a minute pulling out the E-Stop and charging 1000 dollars. The guy works out of his truck part time. I see why its part time... He's making full time wages. I looked at what he would take off for the electrical portion and its very little. He would rather install the electrical himself, I did'nt mention I was a licensed sparky, and could do it myself.

I'm not convinced of this whole thing yet.

Thaks for the perspective though guys, sometimes I need a reality check.

Steve
Click to expand...

This is a very debatable subject myself I believe it is a huge money maker. Very cheap installation and as far as testing the home I've sold that "required" a radon system I'm personally not satisfied with. Did a quick check online for testing requirements and practices. They completely broke all the rules while conducting my test. First off my air conditioner was blowing right on the meter next the room was not sealed and I failed by 1. When I asked for a retest they denied me. Big Big Big money maker in my opinion!!
 
electricguy said:
Was the "guy" a legit contractor and did you factor in the associated overhead costs he may have to run his business.
Thanks to Aline for his overhead costs list.


Building Rent/Lease
Dispatcher
Property Taxes
Management Training
Office Training
Tangible Taxes
In-House Training
Building Insurance
Tech Training
Mfg. Training
Telephones
Training Equipment
Vehicle Maintenance
Travel
Utilities
Vehicles
Loans
Subscriptions
Inspections
Liability Insurance
Employee Insurance
Truck Racks
Toll Calls
Bonds
Pagers/Cell Phones
Ladders
Trips to Supply House
Safety Equipment
Radios
Licenses
Computer Maint.
Law Suits
Radio Maintenance
Printing
Software
Office Equipment
Vacation Pay
Copy Machine
Forms
Life Insurance
Holiday Pay
Uniforms
Accounting
Business Insurance
Workers Comp.
Trade Association
Wages
Salaries
Advertising
Tax Preparation
Stationary
Theft
Memberships
Fuel
Interest
Marketing
Pay Roll Taxes
Uncollected Money
Unbillable Hours
Commissions
Call Backs
Unemployment
30+ Day Receivables
Safety Training
Bonuses
Shortages
Equipment
Bad Checks
Inventory
Delivery
Christmas Party
Test Equipment
Dues
Replacement Parts
Parts Storage
Damages
Material Purchases
Tool Replacement
Truck Signs
Warehouse Space
Files
Company Tools
Bank Charges
Building Maintenance
Legal
Computers
Trash Removal
Incentives
Postage
Credit Card Sales
Drug Testing
Office Supplies
Uniform Maintenance
Retirement Plan
Retainers
Grounds Maintenance
Click to expand...

you forgot the kitchen sink:grin:
 
License & greed are probably two big items.

But, in all fairness getting a 3" pipe from the basement to the attic may be mission impossible.
 
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