If you’re handy and your home has a bypass loop already plumbed, you can install a softener in an afternoon. Just remember that Utah basements often have concrete floors and awkward crawl spaces.
Most people hire a plumber. It’s worth the $200–$300 to avoid a flood in your storage room full of emergency food storage. Plus, plumbers know exactly how to adjust the salt settings for your elevation.
Pro tip: Place your softener away from direct sunlight and near a drain. And never, ever install it right next to a water heater—the heat can mess with the valve timing.
