Plumber recommendations in Gilbert area for water heater replacement? (Phoenix: house, refrigerators)

[ChristineF]

Of all days for it to happen it had to be today..... my water heater just crapped out. It's 17+ years old so I can't complain.

Can anyone recommend a good plumber in the east valley? Also, what sort of cost am I looking at? Its' a 40 gallon electric model. I know it's not gonna be cheap but I'm envisioning somewhere in the $700 range installed.

Thanks in advance for any help!!!!!!!!!!

[liz451]

Plumbing in Phoenix & the East Valley | Insured, Bonded & Guaranteed

Cannot recommend Artie's Plumbing enough. He spent 20 minutes talking me through an issue on the phone when I'd never used him before, for free. When I couldn't figure it out he offered to come at 8pm because he was booked all day at no extra after hours cost. He also came with his son in tow who was assisting him and I love to support a small, family owned business. Check out his reviews on Yelp too - almost all 5 stars.

Also, a family member recently had to replace his hot water heater and found the best deal was going to buy hot water heater on his own and just paying a plumber to do the hours, not going through a plumber for the actual heater.

[Pink Jazz]

I'd recommend Whitton Plumbing. For electric, I'd recommend a model with an energy factor of at least 0.93. Whitton offers models by Bradford White and AO Smith. Between the two, I prefer Bradford White. A model I'd recommend is the M2‑HE‑40S6DS.

However, if you have natural gas service, I'd recommend switching to a gas model with an energy factor of at least 0.62. A natural gas water heater will be cheaper to operate in the long run than an electric unit. If you are open to switching to gas, a good efficient model would be the 0.62 EF Bradford White M‑4‑403S6FBN. For even greater efficiency, Bradford White offers the 0.67 EF D‑4‑403S6FBN, which meets the current Energy Star standards, however, this model will probably be out of your price range.

FYI, definitely avoid the water heaters sold at big box stores, especially the Whirlpool units sold at Lowes. They are not built to the same quality standards as the units sold by plumbers.

[CheyDee]

I've been very happy with the service from Gilbert Plumbing. (I'm pretty sure they service the entire valley.) 480-834-1188. One of the things I like most is they don't try to sell you what you don't need/want and they stand behind both the items they install and their labor.

I can't speak to the price of a WH. We haven't replaced one since we bought our first house in Mesa, in 2004.

[ChristineF]

Thanks for everyone's suggestions!!!!

I called Artie's and he was booked solid. Thanked him for his time and he understood I'd have to go somewhere else since a water heater isn't exactly a discretionary item.

Gilbert Plumbing unfortunately went to an answering service, probably due to the holiday.....

@PinkJazz, my preference would really be a gas unit (along with gas range in the kitchen) but our neighborhood is electric only. The one thing I do NOT like about my house......

For anyone's future reference who may be searching for a plumber I can add Apsen Plumbing in the east valley as a recommendation. Fast, reasonable, and professional..... and my guess was close on the cost. Total to R&R water heater was $693.

[Zippyman]

Fwiw, you paid ~$450 ish for labor. Wholesale on a 40 gallon electric heater is around $200 in the valley.

[maverick974]

Originally Posted by Zippyman

Fwiw, you paid ~$450 ish for labor. Wholesale on a 40 gallon electric heater is around $200 in the valley.

He already had it done. Does it matter at this point?
Would I have done it differently? Probably but he had it done and he is happy with the product and the price.
Why rain on his parade?????

[Zippyman]

Originally Posted by maverick974

He already had it done. Does it matter at this point?
Would I have done it differently? Probably but he had it done and he is happy with the product and the price.
Why rain on his parade?????

Just wanted to let the poster know that the friendly, fast & courteous plumber wasnt exactly giving out "family" pricing.

These threads persist for years, id hate for anyone to think that $693 was some excellent value.

The sad thing is, im pretty sure the city of Gilbert requires a permit for a water heater, and id be willing to bet one wasnt pulled , even though the op paid top dollar.

Sometines you dont get what you pay for.

[maverick974]

Originally Posted by Zippyman

Just wanted to let the poster know that the friendly, fast & courteous plumber wasnt exactly giving out "family" pricing.

These threads persist for years, id hate for anyone to think that $693 was some excellent value.

The sad thing is, im pretty sure the city of Gilbert requires a permit for a water heater, and id be willing to bet one wasnt pulled , even though the op paid top dollar.

Sometines you dont get what you pay for.

Valid point.

[observer53]

If "pulling a permit" is required for replacing a water heater, (I suspect it's not) how would anyone get one replaced on a weekend/holiday (when water heaters, refrigerators, and A/C units all tend to break down -- I know that's the schedule mine have always been on)