If you converted from oil to gas -- how long did the project take?

I'm in the middle of the conversion now and it is taking MUCH longer than the plumber originally said.

Please let me know how long your conversion took, what was done (did they have to replace gas lines in your house? Remove the oil tank? etc.) Also, if you live in Queens or Nassau/Suffolk.

Thanks!

Re: If you converted from oil to gas -- how long did the project take?

It depends if you are talking about the WHOLE process.

Permits (the company did it for us): 1 week
Gas company inspection: showed up 1 morning to look at the yard
Drilling and tap into existing gas line on the road: They were supposed to do it in 2 hours. But because my yard is clay there used to be a lot of trees, it took them 5 hours in full sun. Very hard work!
Connection from line outside the house to installing inside: Full day. Included run gas line inside the house from meter outside the house. Remove oil burner located in kitchen and fully accessable. Removal of old oil tank in the garage. Again ground level and fully accessable.

They had to come back 3 times since. We had some issues with the thermostats and the "board" was not functioning properly.

We have friends who have their system in the basement. It took 2 full days. They also installed an additional water tank which we don't have. But the access to the basement made the job much longer for them.

Message edited 10/27/2009 8:33:20 PM.

Re: If you converted from oil to gas -- how long did the project take?

2 days for the actual conversion. When it was done we had a guy come and cut out the oil tank (it was in our crawl space). That took a few hours. We already had the gas lines.

Re: If you converted from oil to gas -- how long did the project take?

Re: If you converted from oil to gas -- how long did the project take?

Well, we signed the contract on 9/9 and it looks like it will be done around Thanksgiving. (I'm in Queens.) I already have gas in my home (stove and dryer).

Timeline:

A few days for the asbestos inspector to come; he determined there was asbestos near the existing oil burner that needed to be removed. A few days for the asbestos removal contractor to come and give me an estimate. Another week for him to actually come to remove it (he was very booked).

It was only then that the plumber was allowed to get the permit from the Dept. of Buildings. That took another two weeks.

Plumber and assistant came for a full day to run the gas line in the basement (near my meter) to the area where the gas boiler will be.

Plumber and assist came back a second half day to continue running the line. This was the first week of October.

Then plumber tells me next appointment he can get with the buildings inspector (to inspect gas line) is for October 26. I’m very annoyed but I’m told the Buildings Department is back up. He said he would start bringing in the equipment and doing the actual conversion on the 26th as soon as the inspection is passed.

Last Tuesday, plumbers office calls to tell me that the gas boiler is on back order and they are not sure when it will arrive; probably first week of November.

Plumber and assistant come again last Thursday to test the gas line. He says there is a very slight leak in the line going to my dryer/stove. (He told me when I got the estimate that this was a possibility as I live in a very old house.) Assistant returns Friday to replace the dryer/stove gas line.

Monday the Buildings Department inspector comes, we pass the inspection, but he must return to give a final okay (a “finish") once the equipment is installed. Inspector leaves; plumber tells me that he hopes to put in new equipment on Monday 11/2 and Tuesday 11/3 IF the equipment comes in.

Today his office calls and says equipment will be delivered on Friday and installed on Monday and Tuesday. But the inspector will not return again until November 19th! Then he will have the oil tank removal service come to drain my tank and remove it!

I realize some of this was out of the plumber's hands -- but I wonder if some of it was his inefficiency. I’m getting annoyed and the plumber can’t understand why. I want to be fair, which is why I’m looking for opinions from ladies who converted. I know the permit regulations for Queens may be different, but what do you think?

Re: If you converted from oil to gas -- how long did the project take?

SInce you are in queens you are dealing with the NYC DOB. Because of that the inspections take longer than if you were in a small town out on LI. The contractor can't do anything without the proper sign offs. You also had asbestos...that delayed your project. I think your plumber could have saved you a day here or there but a lot of it was out of his control.

Re: If you converted from oil to gas -- how long did the project take?

Oh.. good question. We're looking at homes and the one we like has the gas lines there.

Do you mind me asking how much this cost? Aprox?