Hi everyone,

We live in a condo building built in 1950 and need to move the gas pipe that's behind the stove down to near the floor to accommodate modern gas stoves. Two different plumbers presented me with different options for how to do this.

First option: we'd have to get our HOA maintenance involved and they'd shut off the gas to our whole building. They'd also have to make sure they have all the keys to all the units in the building and, after pipe is moved and installation of new stove is complete, maintenance would go unit to unit to make sure there isn't a problem. The potential for a problem comes from air getting into the gas line while they're moving it. We'd have to get a gas permit and plumber would spend a lot more time here. He'd charge around $950 for this. Don't know quote for other plumber yet.

Option 2: One plumber in particular says they employ a simpler and safe method of opening the kitchen window and using a "cap and plug" technique to minimize air getting into pipe while they're rerouting it. We live in an historic area with very old townhouses and condos and he says he's done this hundreds of times here. He's a certified gas specialist and works for a well-regarded company.

What are your opinions with this? This whole project has become much more complicated and expensive than I could have imagined.