Scope decides most of it
| Goal | Usual scope |
|---|---|
| Better drinking and cooking water | Under-sink alkaline RO |
| No chloramine smell in showers | Whole-home city water system |
| Both | Whole-home plus kitchen RO |
| Scale in business equipment | Softening plant sized to daily use |
Why chloramine affects price
Broward County disinfects District 1 water with chloramines, and the 2025 report lists the residual at 3.8 ppm. Chloramine needs catalytic carbon or similar media and enough of it for contact time. That means a properly sized whole-home system for this water carries more, or more specialized, media than a basic chlorine filter. A low quote that uses standard carbon may not do the job.
Other cost drivers
- Bathrooms and peak flow.
- Main line size and where it enters the house.
- Outdoor installation and protection from sun.
- Splitting irrigation off before the filter.
- Condo association requirements.
- Permits where required.
Condo vs. house
In a condo or apartment, the scope is usually one kitchen sink, and the cost drivers are the cabinet, the drain connection, whether the countertop needs a faucet hole, and any association approval. In a house, the bigger variable is the whole-home system: where the main enters, whether there is a shaded spot, how many bathrooms run at once, and whether the sprinklers share the line. Two houses on the same street can need different sizes.
Costs after installation
Ask what gets replaced and when: whole-home media, RO prefilters, the membrane and the alkaline cartridge. On chloramine water, carbon is consumed by the disinfectant, so a system that is too small for the house will need media sooner. A correctly sized system costs more at the start but is usually easier to live with. See annual ownership cost.
What the quote should show
- Exact models and their NSF/ANSI listings, including a chloramine claim for whole-home systems.
- Labor and any plumbing changes.
- Replacement schedule for media and filters.
- Warranty for equipment and labor.
- What is excluded.
See how to compare water treatment quotes.
Financing and your quote
Living Water offers financing through its financing partners; you apply with a credit application, and a co-applicant can apply with you. Read questions to ask before you apply. Call, text or WhatsApp (305) 793-5974 for a free test and an itemized quote.
Updated 2026-10-17 · Living Waters · Jorge Canela, Water Quality Specialist