Why a quote starts with a water test
A whole-home system treats every tap, shower and appliance in the house. Sizing it without knowing what is in your water, or how much water your household uses, is guesswork. That is why Jorge starts with a free in-home water test: he checks your water at the home, explains the results in plain words and recommends only what fits.
In South Florida, most city homes are on treated municipal water that meets drinking water standards. People usually look at whole-home filtration for taste and odor (including chlorine or chloramine), scale on fixtures, and how the water feels in the shower. Your utility's annual Water Quality Report (Consumer Confidence Report) is a good companion to the test.
The main cost drivers
| Factor | Why it changes the quote |
|---|---|
| Household size and water use | More people and more bathrooms mean higher flow; the system has to keep up without dropping pressure. |
| What you want to reduce | Chlorine taste is a different job from chloramine, and both differ from hardness or well-water issues. |
| Media type and amount | Specialized media and larger tanks cost more up front but may go longer between service. |
| Single system or combination | Adding a softener or a drinking-water RO unit adds equipment and labor. |
| Installation location | A garage with an accessible main line is simpler than a tight closet or an exterior install that needs protection. |
| Plumbing changes | Bypass valves, new loops, drain access and electrical (if the unit needs it) add labor and parts. |
| Permits and local rules | Some jobs or municipalities require a permit; ask whether yours does and who pulls it. |
What an itemized quote should include
- Equipment: the exact model, tank size and media type, so you can look up the manufacturer's specifications.
- Installation labor: what is included and what would count as extra.
- Plumbing parts: bypass valve, fittings, any new piping or drain line.
- Permits, if required, and who handles them.
- Startup: setup, programming and a walkthrough of how to operate the system.
- Maintenance plan: what service the system needs, how often, and what each visit includes.
- Warranty: what is covered on the tank, valve, media and labor, and for how long.
Living Water installs whole-home systems by Puronics, a water treatment manufacturer since 1947. For city water, see the city water system.
Ownership costs to ask about before you sign
The purchase is only part of the picture. Ask about each of these line items so there are no surprises later:
- Media or cartridge replacement: what gets replaced and how often for a home like yours.
- Any pre-filters or sediment filters and their change schedule.
- Salt, if the system includes a softener.
- Water used during backwash or regeneration.
- Electricity, if the control valve needs power.
- Routine service visits and what they include.
For a deeper breakdown, read the annual cost of owning a whole-home water filter.
Questions to ask Jorge (or anyone quoting you)
- Which test results led to this recommendation?
- Is the system certified, and for which specific contaminant claims under which NSF/ANSI standard? Where can I see the model's listing?
- How was the system sized for my home's flow?
- What is included in installation, and what would be extra?
- What does yearly maintenance involve?
- Is financing available? (Living Water offers financing through its financing partners; see financing questions.)
Quotes from different companies often describe different jobs. See why installation quotes differ.
Updated 2026-10-17 · Living Waters · Jorge Canela, Water Quality Specialist