Cost of Getting a New Hot Water Heater Installed? (coupons, tenant)

[MenardMQ]

Originally Posted by Teve

I just replaced mine this weekend for about $1300, but that included a couple of other things to bring it to code and to replace the expansion tank. The quotes I got from other plumbers ranged from $1100 to $1700.

This is the most important thing to remember. If your house was built 10-15 years ago and you are going through a water heater replacement, any reputable plumber will require that you come up to code, which means big $$ (meaning, above $1K)

Many of my old neighbors chose to go under the table instead and hire "help" that would just replace the water heater with the same size/value.

YMMV. Good luck.

[steve807]

plumbers write the codes of course...
millions installed and worked just fine before the elevated platform and expansion tank and who knows what else they have figured out to boost the profit

[Torpedos]

It's called a water heater, not a hot water heater. It does not heat hot water.

[pobre]

Originally Posted by Torpedos

It's called a water heater, not a hot water heater. It does not heat hot water.

Hah! Never thought about that!

[TexasRedneck]

Actually, Steve, most of the plumbers I know rail against the code changes as much as the rest of us. They don't like a change just for the sake of a change any more than we do.

[sapphire]

You don't need a permit in San Antonio to change your water heater? I just replaced mine and had to have a permit in Dallas. Then a city inspector had to come out, find something wrong, and then come back when it was installed to code. I spent right around $1000 for a gas unit.

*this was done by a licensed plumber, not me

[Azure110]

Does it really matter what they are called? It could be region specific term calling them "hot water heater". Kinda like when people call the electric bill the "light bill" here.

[steve807]

I've had licensed electricians up-sell using "bring up to code" arguments. Some with crazy expensive quotes. They always did the work anyway when I said NO since repairs and replacements did not legally require it.

Plumbing may be different in some cities given its special safety and environmental factors -- I don't know.

[Falconetti]

I just came across this thread and wanted to chime in since the water heater prices seem to be either crazy or at the least inconsistent and one company has figured it out. Caliente Hot Water is providing and installing Rheem 40-50 gallon gas water heaters for $899, when i asked about the code upgrades (figured this is where the big money would come in) I was told the parts can be purchased from them at retail price and NO extra labor to install them with the heater. So to sum it up 50 gallon gas heater, installed with gas upgrades, vacuum thing and expansion tank was quoted at $978.97 with 6 years parts and labor warranty. They also told me it would have been $1078.97 if it was in the attic. Either way this is crazy cheaper than the other quotes I got and since I can not do it myself this is a life saver!

[TexasRedneck]

That's right about average, perhaps a bit higher than what I've seen.....perhaps we're just doing a little advertising?