Though there are many water softeners available on the market, many people choose to use Culligan systems. Though they have a positive reputation, they are also known for their high costs. But why are Culligan water softeners so expensive?
Culligan water softeners have to be sold in person, with prices unavailable online. This can make it harder for buyers to compare with other brands and leave them susceptible to upselling. Furthermore, the brand name and the need to pay for installation will increase the costs.
A water softener is an investment in your health, lowering the number of chemicals in your water supply. But, with so many options on the market, it’s important to make sure that you are getting a good deal. Read on to learn more about how Culligan water softeners justify their hefty price tag and if they are worth the money.
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Table of Contents
Why Are Culligan Water Softeners So Expensive?
There are a few reasons why Culligan water softeners are so costly. Here are some of the most important factors:
- Prices aren’t listed online. The only way to find out how much the system will cost to install is by having a salesperson visit your house and examine your water supply. This allows them to recommend the right system to suit your needs. Only then will they draw up a quote.
- Difficult to compare with other brands. Furthermore, because the prices are only available through an in-person quote, it will be hard to compare the cost of a Culligan system with other suppliers. Because of this, it’s best to do some research in advance.
- Potential of being upsold. During the consultation, there are a few packages that the salesperson might offer you to try and increase the amount Culligan is earning. For example, they might offer salt delivery or maintenance packages. While they might be more convenient, they aren’t essential and will increase the cost of the system.
- Brand name. Culligan likely charges a premium because of their prestigious brand name.
- Need to pay for installation. Often, you will be required to pay for the cost of the labor involved with installing the product. You might be able to install it yourself, though this has the potential of voiding the warranty. This can mean that you will face a large fee if you ever have to replace a part.
How Much Does It Cost to Install a Culligan Water Softener?
Trying to find out how much it costs to install a Culligan water softener is tricky. As we mentioned, they don’t list the price of their products on their website and they don’t sell water softeners direct to the consumer.
Generally, though, it will cost around $4,000 to $6,000 for most households to install a whole-house water softening system. This price will often include the labor required to install the system.
It should be noted that the company offers a few ways to pay for these high costs. For example, you might want to start a monthly payment plan. They also provide a rent-to-own option.
For more context, we can compare this with the average price. These systems can start at $500 and can go up to $6,000. But most cost around $1,500. This is substantially higher than the systems offered by Culligan.
While this is a rough price guide, there are a few factors that will determine how much it will cost to install the Culligan water softener in your home. These elements include:
- Type of system. There are a few types of systems provided by Culligan, depending on your budget and the type of features you want. For example, if you will be using a lot of water, you might want to choose a unit that has two tanks.
- Water hardness. Some products might be better suited to deal with hard water. This is why a Culligan salesperson will test your local water.
- Extras chosen. You might want to add some extras, like the ability to automatically deliver salt each month.
Are Culligan Water Softeners Worth the Price?
As we’ve seen, Culligan water softeners have a high purchase price. There are a few pros and cons to consider when deciding if they are worth the investment. Let’s start by considering some of the benefits:
- Contains smart technology. One of the biggest ways that Culligan sets itself apart from other manufacturers is through the use of smart technology. For example, they can send you an alert when the salt levels are running low, making it easier to maintain the device. It can even help you schedule when to book a maintenance technician.
- Adjusting hardness levels. Another innovative feature is the ability to adjust how hard or soft your water is. This ensures that you can create something that suits your preferences.
- This can help you save money on ongoing running costs, like salt and water.
Of course, there are a few downsides that you should bear in mind. These include:
- Poor reputation for customer service. Many negative online reviews point out poor customer service. Some customers point out that the tradesperson sent by the company seemed to have limited training or technical skill. This is why they have a 3.9 out of 5 on Consumer Affairs.
- Can be hard to repair. Most water softening systems are relatively simple. This ensures that you can perform basic repairs yourself. However, this might not be possible with the Culligan models. This might be deliberate, to try and get users to call Culligan for repairs, which can include costly labor bills.
- Proprietary parts. Furthermore, you might need to pay to order proprietary parts from Culligan. This can further increase the costs of repairing the system.
In summary, Culligan has a few cool tech features, which will make running and maintaining the machine a lot easier. But this might not be enough to compensate for the high price and the risk of getting poor customer service.
Final Thoughts
Culligan is known for being an expensive manufacturer, with their products costing around $4,000. Because of this, customers who are on a tight budget might want to consider using another brand.