1. Is the quote based on your water?
- Did the company test your water, or quote from a brochure? Ask for the results in writing.
- Do the results match the problem the system solves? A softener quote should reference hardness; a well system should reference a lab test.
- For city water, does the recommendation line up with your utility's annual Water Quality Report (Consumer Confidence Report)?
- Was anything framed as an emergency? Treated city water meets federal standards, so you have time to compare.
2. Line-by-line checklist
| Item | What to look for | Ask |
|---|---|---|
| Equipment | Brand, model number, tank size, number of stages | Can I look up this exact model? |
| Certifications | NSF/ANSI 42, 53, 58, 44, 55 or IAPMO/ANSI Z601, as relevant | Which contaminants is this model certified to reduce? |
| Sizing | Flow rate and capacity matched to household size and water use | How did you size it? |
| Installation | Bypass valve, drain, electrical, faucet, any permits | Is everything included, or are there add-ons? |
| Maintenance | Filter and media schedule, replacement parts, salt | What does year two and three look like? |
| Efficiency | RO reject water; softener regeneration water and salt | Is the RO unit WaterSense labeled? |
| Warranty | Parts vs labor, length, who honors it | Is it the manufacturer's or the installer's? |
| Follow-up | Retest after install, service visits | Will you test the water after installing? |
3. Verify the claims
EPA's WaterSense guide says certification helps confirm a maker's claims and recommends checking the performance data sheet or the certifier's website for the specific contaminant. Practical rules:
- A certification for chlorine does not mean chloramine, and a taste-and-odor certification does not mean a health claim.
- Treat absolute promises, like removing everything or a percentage for every contaminant, as a reason to ask for the listing.
- Any health claim should tie back to a specific certification and contaminant.
4. Compare the full cost of ownership
The install is only part of it. EPA notes maintenance for all systems includes periodic filter and/or membrane replacement, and that unmaintained systems can make water quality worse. For each quote, list what you will replace and how often, whether filters are standard or proprietary, the salt a softener uses, and the reject water an RO system sends to the drain. Ask each company the same questions so the answers line up.
5. Read financing and contract terms carefully
- Get the cash price and the financed terms on paper before signing.
- Know who the lender is and that the application is a credit application.
- Check cancellation rights and how long you have to change your mind.
- Do not sign on the same visit unless you are sure. A fair quote is still good tomorrow.
Living Water offers financing through its financing partners; you apply with a credit application, and a co-applicant can apply with you.
How Jorge quotes
Jorge tests your water at your home first, explains the results in plain words, and recommends only what fits. You get an itemized quote after the free test, so you can compare it line by line against anyone else's. No pressure, no obligation. Book a free in-home water test or call, text or WhatsApp (305) 793-5974.
https://www.epa.gov/system/files/documents/2025-01/ws-products-home-water-treatment-guide_v2_508.pdf
https://www.epa.gov/ccr/ccr-information-consumers
https://www.epa.gov/watersense/point-use-reverse-osmosis-systems
https://info.nsf.org/Certified/DWTU/
Updated 2026-10-17 · Living Waters · Jorge Canela, Water Quality Specialist