by a plumber in your area. Quote is $1900, gulp

Mine was $800 about 6 months ago.

Yeah, that's about double what it'd run you here.

A decent 50 gallon heater itself is only $500-$700 at a big box store. A bit less from a plumbing supplier.

Then figure in a hour or two of labor, at somewhere between $100-$200/hour.

Even factoring in a further profit markup and a "shit happens" surcharge for something trickier like a basement/attic location, where are they getting the extra grand from?

I'm sure there is a range of price based on quality/warranty, but the local Home Depot has 50 gallon electric heaters for $500-$600.

Service call, probably 2 hours in labor. More if the heater needs to be moved up/down steps or into an attic.

If it's in the garage, I'd think around $1,000

Something special about the new water heater? Is it a heat pump one, or a Marathon with the lifetime tank, etc?

Anything special about the location? Only accessible by boat or helicopter? A hundred miles from the nearest town?

How about the spot in the house it’s being installed in? Too small for the new unit?

$300-$400 labor to replace a water heater around here.

I just purchased a top of the line 50 gallon for $900 and the local plumber picked it up at the supply house and installed it for $400. Hauled the old tank away for no charge. Mine was gas, electric should be less.

Ok guys. Great info and very helpful. You guys are correct. Getting more accurate in now. I appreciate it!

They charge extra if the water heater not elevated because it has to be drained. Buy the best you can afford.

quote:

Originally posted by Genorogers:
I just purchased a top of the line 50 gallon for $900 and the local plumber picked it up at the supply house and installed it for $400. Hauled the old tank away for no charge. Mine was gas, electric should be less.

That's very close to my own story.

This may be overkill, but we are looking at installing a propane tank to be able to have instant on hot water heaters.

I have replaced 5 this year (rentals). About $1,300 a pop.

If you are trying to do it as cheaply as possible and are able, I'd recommend buying your own heater, moving it into the location and then hire a plumber just to do the swap and hookup. Dispose of the old one yourself too.

quote:

Originally posted by RogueJSK:
Yeah, that's about double what it'd run you here.

A decent 50 gallon heater itself is only $500-$700 at a big box store. A bit less from a plumbing supplier.

Then figure in a hour or two of labor, at somewhere between $100-$200/hour.

Even factoring in a further profit markup and a "shit happens" surcharge for something trickier like a basement/attic location, where are they getting the extra grand from?

There are a lot of variables here the OP has not given any detail on:

Is this a big box store water heater? Or is it some high-end heat pump model?

Does putting in the new heater require extensive re-plumbing? Is it hard to get out? Rewiring?

Haul away costs have also gone through the roof.

My plumber did a 50 gallon gas for me for $1400 about 6 months ago. Included taking the old one away.

Plumber replaced mine this past spring with a Bradford White 50 gallon electric for around 1350.00. Hauled the old one away.

If it is 20 years old it would may require that the plumbing, overfow, venting be brought up to code, or that is what happened to me. Not just a quick swap-out.

I used to replace my own water heaters when I was starting out on my first house with new family etc., and bought the cheapest units I could find at the local big box store. And I regretted all of them, they all crapped out very fast, quit working, etc. I don't know how cheap water heater technology has gone since then, but I'd be wary of no-name-brand cheap ass water heaters. But if I had to get one, it would certainly work, just how long is the question assuming a competent installation, though I can't say I was very qualified back then, and I'm still not qualified for must plumbing and electrical work for sure.

ORC, does seem a bit high, and I’d likely go about replacing it myself or with the help of a friend a bit more knowing than me. If d think your area would be a bit less since it’s not a “bit city”, but maybe I’m wrong there.

If you’re not concerned with it going at any minute then shop around a bit. If it’s a worry just turn the water off to it when you leave the house to avoid a catastrophe until you can find a better price.

Seems everything is so damn expensive these days.

I had my 50 gallon propane water heater bust thanksgiving morning.

All I could find that Friday afternoon was a 40 gallon Reem. It was $700.

Took me about 4 hours to remove old one and install new.

quote:

Originally posted by ScreamingCockatoo:
I had my 50 gallon propane water heater bust thanksgiving morning.

All I could find that Friday afternoon was a 40 gallon Reem. It was $700.

Took me about 4 hours to remove old one and install new.

So at $180 an hour which seems to be what plumbers around here charge you’re already at $1,420…