Before the new unit goes in, the old one has to come out, and that step is easy to leave off the plan. A quote may say install and say nothing about the equipment already on the wall. Settle it before the install day, because the crew will be working around whatever is still there.

Find out what the quote includes

Read the scope for the words remove, haul, dispose, and cap. Some quotes include taking out the old housing, filter, or tank, and some leave it for you. If it is not written down, ask directly: who removes the old unit, who takes it away, and whether hauling costs extra. Ask whether the old plumbing will be capped, valved, or left open, since an open or half-removed line can become a leak point later.

Confirm who owns the old unit

If you own the house, the old unit is usually yours to keep, sell, or discard. If you rent, check whether the landlord owns the equipment and whether it has to stay in place. Get the answer in writing before anything comes off the wall, so there is no disagreement about what was removed and who approved it.

Record the old unit before it leaves

Take photos of the model and serial label, the connections, and the installed position before anything is disconnected. Keep the manual, the warranty card, and any service records. If a claim on the old equipment is still open, or the new installer needs to match a fitting, those photos and parts save a return trip.

Drain and shut down safely

Ask who shuts off the supply, relieves pressure, and drains the old housings or tanks. Water left in a filter housing or a storage or brine tank can spill when it is opened, and a heavy tank can shift when it is lifted. Ask whether the crew handles the drain or whether you need buckets and towels ready. For any powered unit, ask who disconnects the power. If that work is done by a licensed electrician, put it on the scope too, so nobody assumes it was included.

Check the disposal route

Some parts are ordinary household waste in many places. Others, such as a salt tank, resin, or used cartridges, may follow different rules, and the hauling company may not accept them. Ask where the old parts will go, whether you will get a receipt or disposal record, and whether your local waste service has rules for those items. Check local guidance rather than assuming. Do not leave the old unit in the garage or at the curb until you know the pickup rule.

Plan the gap in service

Ask what the house looks like between removal and the new unit. If the old line is capped, confirm the cap is tight and check it for drips before the crew leaves for the day. If the house will be without treated water overnight, plan drinking water, cooking, and dishwashing before the day starts. Then compare that plan with what the crew says it will do, and write any differences into the sign-off notes.