First time with a big plumbing job

[Montecarlo]

Water softener was on the fritz and I decided to replace vs repair for a couple reasons.  One, I wanted to get a salt free conditioner and whole house filter; 2, it was likely near end of life. 

Aquasana had a 50% sale and I like their products, so I splurged on that.  Tried to negotiate the price down.  No luck but got a full year of replacement filters.

Install quotes starting coming in at north of $1000.  I’ve never done a big plumbing job before, but I was willing to give it a go.  First try I think at least 75% of the fittings sprung a leak, but a few hours of tweaking and now I am leak free!

Probably would have spent less money just 1:1 swap and paying someone to install a new softener, but I got the system I wanted and saved a big install bill!

[bacchi]

Nice!

I've noticed that plumbing labor rates have really gone up over the past year. As in, +50% for a simple water heater replacement (pipes are already up-to-code).

[soccerluvof4]

I stay away from plumbing so Kudos to you! That is an interesting looking system. I just replaced mine a few weeks back (w/a plumber) , the typical tank for Salt and the Unit. I did go up from I believe it was 28k grain to 42k grain So uses a lot less salt but I did pay to have installed 1250$ The old one was 25 years old so its amazing the difference in our water. We bought the house 9 months ago and being 25 years old I am replacing things I can on my own but as I said a little to much plumbing for me.

Did not even know they made a salt free system. Again well done!

[Rhinodad]

That's awesome!

I replaced my 40 gallon hot water heater with a 50 gallon, so had to redo the plumbing so it could fit. I watched a youtube video, then practiced soldering in my garage with some copper before install, and ended up working out great.