Gas water heaters are expensive

[BMWTurboDzl]

I'm getting quotes of over $2700 for a 50 gal installed. These things retail for around $1k in my area. I know the job requires a lot of pipe work but wow.

The heater is installed at the top of some stairs in a hallway closet.

 

[JavierH19]

I did mine myself and it wasn't bad. But in my new home they're both in the attic so I can't do that myself anymore.

 

[Ursatdx]

$2000 for a 50 gal. installed w/ permits in a rental.

 

[Zee09]

After covid it was a name your own price game..

 

[zzyzzx]

Besides inflation, it's also an issue of new-ish government regulations requiring an electronic igniter (which means you need an outlet near the water heater) and increased insulation (which means that your new water heater takes up more space compared to the old one, or you will need to downsize capacity to keep the same space.

 

[AJB0009]

Plumbers around here are about $150/hr.
What isn't expensive now?

 

[Hall]

I know the job requires a lot of pipe work but wow.

Not necessarily. Get one that's the same size or slightly smaller and use braided, flex lines.

And who is charging $1000 for the water heater alone ? Well, it does depend on the warranty I guess, but even if professionally installed, if it fails within warranty, you'll pay the labor again and who knows the hassle of getting the warranty honored.

 

[Thermo1223]

Besides inflation, it's also an issue of new-ish government regulations requiring an electronic igniter (which means you need an outlet near the water heater) and increased insulation (which means that your new water heater takes up more space compared to the old one, or you will need to downsize capacity to keep the same space.

Ya if I wasn't adamant about not having a 90% efficient one I was told in no short terms they wouldn't install anything less. New PVC intake & exhaust and boring holes in my wall.

 

[I<3oil]

Ouch

We paid $2k to have a water softener put in last year. The plumber ran 2 new lines to bypass the water softener for our outside bibs for watering plants and rerouted another line as well.

 

[shortyb]

I'm getting quotes of over $2700 for a 50 gal installed. These things retail for around $1k in my area. I know the job requires a lot of pipe work but wow.

The heater is installed at the top of some stairs in a hallway closet.

For a replacement install? I'd say wow too. Next door neighbor just had a 50g. gas tank replaced, $1400, and used the same plumbing company I did 4 years ago when I paid $1200. They got a Proline Master A.O. Smith, so it is a high quality tank. Of course, it's in the garage, and very easily accessible, but still, $2700 is kinda high.

 

[skyactiv]

Besides inflation, it's also an issue of new-ish government regulations requiring an electronic igniter (which means you need an outlet near the water heater) and increased insulation (which means that your new water heater takes up more space compared to the old one, or you will need to downsize capacity to keep the same space.

Modern gas water heaters use an electronic ignitor that doesn't use household current or a battery to power it. They save you money by not having a pilot light burning 24/7/365.

 

[2strokeNorthstar]

Around here they seem to just double the parts cost for a basic garage install so for a 50 gal $1800-$2k is more normal. $2700 isnt out of line if it's a pain to access. You definitely need to shop around these days. Plumbers are worse than HVAC guys. They charged $800 for a new shut off valve and regulator to a neighbor. Outside and simple access. Probably $100 in parts and took less than 2hrs total. Even with travel that's $300 + hr. Ridiculous

 

[JeffKeryk]

That's crazy. I have a friend who is a retired plumber; he is busy all the time. Nick has helped me numerous times. A few years back we installed a tankless. I think I paid him $500, including the flue and all.

 

[dogememe]

Wait what? Ours started leaking so my exs dad replaced it in like 20 minutes and the landlord reimbursed us for the price of the new one. No way I’d pay $1k to have that replaced. Obviously every install is different… but that just seems too much!

 

[BMWTurboDzl]

For a replacement install? I'd say wow too. Next door neighbor just had a 50g. gas tank replaced, $1400, and used the same plumbing company I did 4 years ago when I paid $1200. They got a Proline Master A.O. Smith, so it is a high quality tank. Of course, it's in the garage, and very easily accessible, but still, $2700 is kinda high.

Yep. Replacement. 40 gallon is more expensive by about $100.

 

[BMWTurboDzl]

Wait what? Ours started leaking so my exs dad replaced it in like 20 minutes and the landlord reimbursed us for the price of the new one. No way I’d pay $1k to have that replaced. Obviously every install is different… but that just seems too much!

Ya. Ours has been making some noise lately and when I opened the cabinet I noticed that the tubing to the expansion tank is leaking. It's in a hallway cabinet.

 

[AZjeff]

Not saying $2700 doesn't feel high but upstairs in an elevated closet with a copper pipe that looks like it has to be sweated apart and that expansion tank mess...

 

[Chris142]

Gotta get a permit from the county to replace one here

 

[shortyb]

Ya. Ours has been making some noise lately and when I opened the cabinet I noticed that the tubing to the expansion tank is leaking. It's in a hallway cabinet.
View attachment 300984View attachment 300985

Looks super fun to replace. THAT'S where the $2700 is coming from.

 

[shortyb]

Gotta get a permit from the county to replace one here

CA. Not surprising . What IS surprising is you can even GET a gas hot water heater there.