Hot Water Tank Installation Price

[Bobby821]

I was quoted a price of 1300.00 to have my hot water tank replaced it is a 40 gallon gas water heater. The tank is in one of those small closets in a house built in the 60's. Does this seem like a good fair price to you guys who may have hired a plumber to change out your tank?

[Roger S]

According to an article I read recently on this subject.... Yes, this is the average price to replace a tank... About twice this amount if you go tankless.

[Bobby821]

According to an article I read recently on this subject.... Yes, this is the average price to replace a tank... About twice this amount if you go tankless.

Too many issues with the tankless models still to consider that as an option. So sticking with a regular tank style.

[Martin]

i had one go out 6-7 years ago and that's around the total i paid for a 50 gallon tank... if i remember right, i had to have some water lines changed to a larger diameter due to updated codes and that was included in the cost.

[Bobby821]

The plumber who is putting in the new tank is the same one who put the last tank in 9 yrs ago and we paid like 900-1000.00 for this one. I was just checking with others to make sure the price quoted was a fair resonable price they are going for today.

[Swanky]

The plumber who is putting in the new tank is the same one who put the last tank in 9 yrs ago and we paid like 900-1000.00 for this one. I was just checking with others to make sure the price quoted was a fair resonable price they are going for today.

I don't think it's unreasonable - keep in mind that due to inflation, $1000 in 2001 is around $1400 today.

[OKC Guy]

Keep in mind labor is expensive.

On a good note advances in construction means you should get better efficiency and lower operating costs over time.

[SoonerDave]

Don't overlook the opportunity to make this a DIY project. I did this very install myself 2-3 years ago, upgraded from a 40-gallon to 50-gallon tank, and my only cost was that for the new tank itself. Saved me a sizeable chunk of change!

[baralheia]

Don't overlook the opportunity to make this a DIY project. I did this very install myself 2-3 years ago, upgraded from a 40-gallon to 50-gallon tank, and my only cost was that for the new tank itself. Saved me a sizeable chunk of change!

It is important to note that if you live within the city limits of OKC, DIY isn't really an option. OKC requires a permit for plumbing work, including water heater replacements - and they'll only issue a plumbing permit to "contractors licensed in the State of Oklahoma and registered with the City of Oklahoma City."

This same restriction also applies to electrical and HVAC work as well.

For more info: https://www.okc.gov/i-want-to/advanc...126_72_70_1195

[Stew]

It is important to note that if you live within the city limits of OKC, DIY isn't really an option. OKC requires a permit for plumbing work, including water heater replacements - and they'll only issue a plumbing permit to "contractors licensed in the State of Oklahoma and registered with the City of Oklahoma City."

This same restriction also applies to electrical and HVAC work as well.

For more info: https://www.okc.gov/i-want-to/advanc...126_72_70_1195

I gotta imagine there's a lot of non-compliance with that ordinance.

[SoonerDave]

I gotta imagine there's a lot of non-compliance with that ordinance.

Amen.

[BoulderSooner]

It is important to note that if you live within the city limits of OKC, DIY isn't really an option. OKC requires a permit for plumbing work, including water heater replacements - and they'll only issue a plumbing permit to "contractors licensed in the State of Oklahoma and registered with the City of Oklahoma City."

This same restriction also applies to electrical and HVAC work as well.

For more info: https://www.okc.gov/i-want-to/advanc...126_72_70_1195

not sure how anyone would know if you replaced your water heater

[SoonerDave]

not sure how anyone would know if you replaced your water heater

It would take some anal busybody to report you.

[baralheia]

It would take some anal busybody to report you.

You could run into problems down the road if you want to sell your property and your DIY work wasn't done properly to code. Depending on the buyer, you may need to hire a licensed plumber to correct your work and bring it up to code, or you may have to settle for less money so the buyer can fix it.

[MadMonk]

not sure how anyone would know if you replaced your water heater

If you go to sell your home, they may want to see the inspection sticker of that water heater. Hard to get it inspected without records of the licensed plumber who installed it.

I lived in Canadian county and did the job myself a few years ago. When I went to sell the home, the buyer's inspector noticed it was missing an inspection sticker, so I had the inspector come out. Luckily, I wasn't required to have it done by a licensed plumber, but I did have to re-do a few things to bring it up to code.

I had a 50-gal tank replaced last year for right around $1,300 (including the tank) by a plumber I've used and trusted for years. Sounds about average.

[SoonerDave]

It is important to note that if you live within the city limits of OKC, DIY isn't really an option. OKC requires a permit for plumbing work, including water heater replacements - and they'll only issue a plumbing permit to "contractors licensed in the State of Oklahoma and registered with the City of Oklahoma City."

This same restriction also applies to electrical and HVAC work as well.

For more info: https://www.okc.gov/i-want-to/advanc...126_72_70_1195

Well, if the city has nothing better to do than come after me three years after the fact, I guess there's nothing I can do to stop them. Frustrating thing is that many local installers still try to tell you that garage installations for gas heaters require an 18" elevation, which is no longer true with sealed-flame units. But so long as the city has a way to pad the pockets of the installers, that's all that really matters, I guess.

[Dob Hooligan]

Don't overlook the opportunity to make this a DIY project. I did this very install myself 2-3 years ago, upgraded from a 40-gallon to 50-gallon tank, and my only cost was that for the new tank itself. Saved me a sizeable chunk of change!

So, uh, how much are these savings? If a water tank is $400, update parts and materials are $50 and I have a place that will dispose of the old tank quickly and cheaply, then DIY is a possibility. If a tank is $800, parts & materials are $ 150 and I have to wait until big trash day in 60 days to get rid of the old unit, then paying $1400 for a professional and legal installation that is zero drag is not a bad deal, IMO.

[SoonerDave]

So, uh, how much are these savings? If a water tank is $400, update parts and materials are $50 and I have a place that will dispose of the old tank quickly and cheaply, then DIY is a possibility. If a tank is $800, parts & materials are $ 150 and I have to wait until big trash day in 60 days to get rid of the old unit, then paying $1400 for a professional and legal installation that is zero drag is not a bad deal, IMO.

My total was a shade over $450 for a 50-gallon tank purchased from a reputable local supply house, not a Lowe's sale junker. My savings was just under $1,000. And I am 100% confident in my installation even though someone didn't drop a piece of paper on my head to say "professional." I read the codes, I know what I did, and three years later it's running beautifully.

You have your way, I have mine. In my book, I need that ~$1000 more than the "official" installers. If you're sufficiently flush with cash such that you won't miss $1k, power to you. With two kids in college, I'm not.

[Dob Hooligan]

My total was a shade over $450 for a 50-gallon tank purchased from a reputable local supply house, not a Lowe's sale junker. My savings was just under $1,000. And I am 100% confident in my installation even though someone didn't drop a piece of paper on my head to say "professional." I read the codes, I know what I did, and three years later it's running beautifully.

You have your way, I have mine. In my book, I need that ~$1000 more than the "official" installers. If you're sufficiently flush with cash such that you won't miss $1k, power to you. With two kids in college, I'm not.

Yes, I am flush with cash. 40 years in the same blue collar job and frugal parents have blessed me. It has also left me with a broken down body that can’t paint a car hood or push one more than 2 steps.

Until I turned 50 I would have tried any project myself. Intelligence, ability and financial need made them more attractive then. Just can’t do it now.

[SoonerDave]

Yes, I am flush with cash. 40 years in the same blue collar job and frugal parents have blessed me. It has also left me with a broken down body that can’t paint a car hood or push one more than 2 steps.

Until I turned 50 I would have tried any project myself. Intelligence, ability and financial need made them more attractive then. Just can’t do it now.

Hey I understand that completely. My comment was no knock on anyone who has to go the pro install route for reasons like yours. I grew up in a family of gifted DIY types, uncles who could fix anything, and I guess I caught a small fraction of their "how-to" chutzpah. We all have to do what's best for our own circumstances. Take care.

[kukblue1]

$1350 is what I paid a year ago.

[Zuplar]

One comment on the permitting and whatnot, a few years ago I had a large metal building installed on my property. I had a company do it, so everything was permitted and done correctly, but when one of the inspectors came out he wrote me a small list of improvements on my property that apparently did not have permits with the city. I bought this property as a foreclosure, and all these improvements were done beforehand. The house isn't that old, so I wouldn't swear that outside of the new construction up till the point I had the building installed, that everything was original. I mentioned that to him he told me it didn't matter, they still needed a permit. I asked if that was going to affect me getting my inspection done he said no because it's not relevant. I moved on with my life because I thought this was ridiculously petty. Wasn't an issue when I bought the house, can't imagine it will be if I ever sell it. Not sure how they can request me to pay for a permit for construction I never did, but the city inspector acted like they could.

Couple that with the fact that he didn't even know basic facts about my house, (such as arguing with me about property size) I basically told him whatever he wanted to hear so he'd leave. You can talk to 3 different people in the permit/inspector department or whatever it is and get 3 completely different answers. It's a joke.

[SoonerDave]

One comment on the permitting and whatnot, a few years ago I had a large metal building installed on my property. I had a company do it, so everything was permitted and done correctly, but when one of the inspectors came out he wrote me a small list of improvements on my property that apparently did not have permits with the city. I bought this property as a foreclosure, and all these improvements were done beforehand. The house isn't that old, so I wouldn't swear that outside of the new construction up till the point I had the building installed, that everything was original. I mentioned that to him he told me it didn't matter, they still needed a permit. I asked if that was going to affect me getting my inspection done he said no because it's not relevant. I moved on with my life because I thought this was ridiculously petty. Wasn't an issue when I bought the house, can't imagine it will be if I ever sell it. Not sure how they can request me to pay for a permit for construction I never did, but the city inspector acted like they could.

Couple that with the fact that he didn't even know basic facts about my house, (such as arguing with me about property size) I basically told him whatever he wanted to hear so he'd leave. You can talk to 3 different people in the permit/inspector department or whatever it is and get 3 completely different answers. It's a joke.

This. I was all paranoid about building a storage shed in our backyard; went through all the drawings and material sheets the city wanted, plat of the lot, the whole bit. When I went to get the permit, the clerk at the desk kinda laughed, and I said "what's wrong?" She said, "oh, nothing; you've just put a better package together than most architects do for houses." But I got my permit

When we built our home some 20+ years ago, it failed the final OKC occupancy inspection. Why? Because there was no handrail in the staircase going up to the attic . My wife and I went to the hardware store, bought about $20 of handrail and mounts, and put it in. When the "city inspector" came out, he didn't even look at it. Handed us the approval essentially at the front door. Total joke. Our builder told us it was routine with OKC "inspectors" to ALWAYS find "something" wrong. He built in OKC, Moore, and other areas and said OKC was the only one like that. He was an older fella (passed away just a few months after he finished our house), and kinda laughed the inspection issue off "yeah OKC inspections are kind of a joke, but I'm used to it. You just deal with it and move on."

[emtefury]

One comment on the permitting and whatnot, a few years ago I had a large metal building installed on my property. I had a company do it, so everything was permitted and done correctly, but when one of the inspectors came out he wrote me a small list of improvements on my property that apparently did not have permits with the city. I bought this property as a foreclosure, and all these improvements were done beforehand. The house isn't that old, so I wouldn't swear that outside of the new construction up till the point I had the building installed, that everything was original. I mentioned that to him he told me it didn't matter, they still needed a permit. I asked if that was going to affect me getting my inspection done he said no because it's not relevant. I moved on with my life because I thought this was ridiculously petty. Wasn't an issue when I bought the house, can't imagine it will be if I ever sell it. Not sure how they can request me to pay for a permit for construction I never did, but the city inspector acted like they could.

Couple that with the fact that he didn't even know basic facts about my house, (such as arguing with me about property size) I basically told him whatever he wanted to hear so he'd leave. You can talk to 3 different people in the permit/inspector department or whatever it is and get 3 completely different answers. It's a joke.

This comments shows the other reason for permits. This is so the the county knows if you did property improvements to raise property taxes. He may have noted the improvements to provide to the assessor.

[Bunty]

Does draining hot water heaters every year make them last longer? I never drained mine and it lasted 10 years.