Direct installs sound way smarter. Although, I do wonder if the city’s choices would vibe with my taste... or would we all end up with those super basic fixtures?
That’s my worry too. Last time we had “standard” city-issue fixtures, they looked like something out of a motel from the 80s. Function over form, I guess, but it’d be nice if they didn’t make your bathroom feel like a hospital. Has anyone actually had the city do a direct install? Curious if they let you pick at all, or is it just “take it or leave it”?
I’ve had a city install before, and yeah, the options were pretty limited—think “builder basic” chrome everything. They didn’t offer any choices, just showed up and swapped it out. Not terrible, but definitely not what I’d pick for my own place. Has anyone actually gotten something decent through a city program? Maybe it depends on the city...
Title: What if your city paid you to use less water?
Yeah, I’ve noticed the same thing—city programs usually go for the cheapest stuff they can get in bulk. I get it from a budget standpoint, but it’s not always what you’d want in your own bathroom or kitchen. Did you at least see a drop in your water bill after the swap? I’m curious if the savings make up for the lack of style...
I’ve worked with a few clients who took the city’s free faucet and showerhead upgrades. The water bill did go down, but honestly, some of those fixtures felt flimsy and didn’t last long. One client swapped out the city’s showerhead for a nicer low-flow model after a year—still efficient, just better quality and design. Sometimes it’s worth spending a bit more upfront if you want something that actually looks good and holds up.
Yeah, I’ve noticed that too. The city freebies are a great starting point, but sometimes you get what you pay for, right? I’ve seen some of those plastic showerheads crack way sooner than expected. Upgrading to a better low-flow model can make a huge difference, not just in durability but also in how it looks and feels. In new builds, we usually spec higher-end fixtures from the get-go—less hassle down the line and people actually like using them. Sometimes spending a little more upfront just saves headaches later.