Installing a water heater

C

Crusher X

250+ Posts
Our 20+ year old water heater developed a leak over the weekend. A plumbing company came out and told me that it would be more costly to try to fix the current one, than to have a new one installed.

The guy quoted me $1360 for the whole job (new WH, installation). WH Warranty for 6 years. Installation for 1 year.

I told him I would shop around.

Is it a good price?

Anybody have some reccommendations for the Georgetown/Round Rock area?
 
I just dealt with this.

I got some outrageous quotes in the 800 - 1200 price range. The bulk of the cost comes from bringing your current set-up up to code.

Plumbers are paid by the hour. To save some money, drain your heater and if you can, move it outside you'll cut out a couple hundred dollars...
 
The price did not include getting my WH space up to code. The plumber said that part looked OK.

Home Depot/Lowe's water heaters range from 250-500+, so the balance of that estimated cost must be cost of removal/disposal of old WH, and installation/hook up of new one.
 
Go to Home Depot and have them provide a quote. I had to replace a WH a few years ago and my plumber told me he couldn't beat HD. Turns out he used to work for the local firm that HD contracts with and he recommended them highly. I went with HD and was completely satisfied with the price and installation. Also gained a lot of respect for my plumber for being honest.
 
I've called Lowe's and they have provided me a decent quote (less than the 1360 the other company quoted).

Anybody try installing a WH themselves?
 
After doing some research, the only thing I'll need to make it "code" would be to have a drain pan and the drain line run to drain. In my basement, it would be fairly easy to do.

I've got another contractor coming out tomorrow morning for another quote.
 
We replaced the water heater in the wife's old house about 5 years ago. I'm more than willing to pay the $200-300 for installation.

Home Depot doesn't presently have an installer available - once they do, it should be less than $800 for complete install of a 9-year warranty 40 gal. tank.

As far as the tankless - not presently cost effective for us. It would cost $1200 for parts including upgrading the flu to the stainless steel. Installation would also include having to replumb the lines. estimates were 15 years to recoup the cost to convert.
 
I had a top of the line AO Smith put in our house about 4 years ago and it lasted 9 months. Went with the Rudd / Rheem made 6 year warranty HD, and it's been good so far (18 months). We'll see how long this one goes.
 
if you ever plan on moving, you may as well have a plumber bring it up to code - you'll have to when you're selling the house anyway.
ask the plumber with the high quote if he plans on getting inspection. that is the proper way - it's actually required, though many companies ignore that. if inspection was part of the quote that might account for $150.00 or so (buying the permit, waiting on inspection, cost of possible red tag)... in that case, i would at least appreciate that he was trying to do a proper job...
 
Nah don't worry about it the code is just to keepyou from flooding your house and getting into an insurance battleabout black mold.....

It's not that hard really Did mine about 8 months ago, Lowes was the better deal for what I needed. The fit was a little tight but I did the whole thing by myself. Used a dolly to get the old one out and the new one in. Cut off the gas line at t he water heater-there should be a cut off valve (assuming gas). If there is not install one.

MAKE SURE AND GET THE GAS RATED TEFLON TAPE IF doing the gas connection.

Just hookup a garden hose to hot water heater and after cutting off the inflow valve at the top of the heater drain it tothe outside of your house. In your case if the heater is in the basement you need some method to pump out the water. Something you also need to think about when getting the pan and calculating the lift needed to push the water out above.

Getting the thing out is the hardest part because it's messy. Replacing whatyou took out is usually pretty easy. Some wrenches, teflon tpipe thread tape and you are good to go.

Go EARLY in the morning to home Depot and talk to their plumber about the install. They usually have a licensed plumber on staff and in the AMthey are slow enough to take time to talk to you.
 
I just payed ~$600 to replace mine; went to a local plumbing supply store, bought the tank myself ($300) and paid a plumber I know ~$250 to install. I also wouldn't recommend a hot water heater from the home depots, etc.. So basically anything over $800, you're probably getting ripped off.
 
A plumber friend told me Home Depot is ok. They use the GE brand which is related to Rheem which is the best you can get. Whirlpool which is sold at Lowes is supposed to be the worst.
 
I just had to have mine replaced last week in New Braunfels. I had to have it brought up to code. New pan, drain, lines, etc. Total cost was $711.00 but I was only out $211.00 thanks to my Total Protect Home Warranty.
 
I'll need to look up our home warranty policy. We just renewed it a few months ago. That might help keep the total cost manageable.

I've nearly convinced myself I can do it myself. I'm fairly handy, but this might be biting off a bit more than I can chew. However, the next time I'll need one done (and I'm sure I'll go through this again in my lifetime), I'll probably know alot more. And as GI Joe always told us "knowing is half the battle".
 
if you're handy at all, you should be able to do it easily, just research a little online if you have questions. I'm not very handy but by watching what the guy did, I could probably do it the next time.
 
The Home Warranty saved my pocketbook. Our policy covered it. I called this afternoon, and by 5 pm, I had a new water heater. I paid $125 for the installation and $20 for the drain pan. I watched the guys closely. I am now convinced I absolutely can do it myself (with help from a friend to get the thing in place).

Thanks to everyone who replied and offered advice. I hope some other folks learned something.
 
I'll take 20% of the savings from your Home Warrenty Crusher.
biggrin.gif
 
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