I would like to understand the process in installing a whole house water softner... reason I ask the question is to determine whether I do it or do I get a plumber? Knowing what the steps are in installing this softner helps me to make that determination... I have installed hot water heaters so, I can't imagine it is much different from that...

There may be more soldering than a heater but the skill level is about the same. You usually only soften the water that goes to the water heater so you'll be cutting open that one line. The softner requires an H shaped by pass with three knobs that can bought at most home stores. The bypass connects to the softner with a wrench but you'll need to solder or thread you supply line in and then back out to your heater. Whar pipe material do you have?

You can't use a compression fitting in this instance? So, than the line that comes from the main water source prior to going to the hot water heater is where the water softner is installed... meaning it is between the main water and the hot water heater, correct?

You are correct, the softner is installed between the main and the heater. Just trace back the cold pipe that feeds the tank, there other tank pipe is hot. Find a convenient place to make a cut and splice your new piping in at that point. We don't use compression fittings for this appliaction. Again, what material is your pipe PVC, copper, galvanized?

It is copper pipe

Only the hot water? You have got to be kidding. The washer and the shower use a mixture and you certainly don't want the toilets liming up. For a whole house softener, you want the whole house, perhaps not the outside faucets used for watering.

Cut into the main water line coming in from the city or well. Elbow to the softener, and then back to the line. Many softeners have the bypass valve built in now. While most water lines are 3/4'', water softeners are often 1'' The big box stores have kits adapting to the 1'' with flex lines. If you are comfortable using compression and have been successful with it, go ahead. They give you a union to connect and disconnect it. You also need to find a drain for the spend brine and flush when the softener regenerates. You will need an outlet for it.

Harleygirl, do you feel comfortable with sweating copper? If so I'd go with that. You see others have different opionions and approaches to this install. I have 4 properties at present and all came to me with hot only softened water. The cold was not softened to keep sodium dowm for drinking and watering plants. Obviously bathing and washing clothes uses a mix of hot and cold so your water would still be soft.