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.

[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]

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.

[SoonerDave]

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

It would take some anal busybody to report you.

[SoonerDave]

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

Amen.

[kukblue1]

$1350 is what I paid a year ago.

[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.

[SoonerDave]

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.

After researching the relevant building codes before I undertook the project, I ultimately did my install *beyond* what code required. And I don't plan to sell for a looong time, so I'll not sweat it too much. In fact, after comparing my work to that of a "licensed" installer on behalf of a family member, my install ended up better than theirs. C'est la vie.

[BoulderSooner]

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.

replacing a water heater takes about 5 min and is very very hard to mess up

[Thomas Vu]

replacing a water heater takes about 5 min and is very very hard to mess up

Unnecessary confidence rising.

[SoonerDave]

replacing a water heater takes about 5 min and is very very hard to mess up

I will admit it did take me a *bit* longer because the garage "closet" where it is installed was kinda cramped and I had to have some assistance from my (strong) son to get the old one out. Also discovered a failed hot-cold valve in a bathroom outlet while it was draining, but that was (I think?) a $5 fix.

But once the new one was in place, it boiled down to four plumbing connectors, a few pieces of pipe for gas service along with some sealer/tape, and a new shutoff valve. Tested for gas leaks and even set up some CO monitors after I finished just to be sure LOL

It is VERY nice not to hear the family (translated: mostly my wife) complain about insufficient hot water LOL

[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.

[OKC Guy]

Not sure but if the DIY tank explodes or catches house on fire and if insurance learned about it being done uncertified - would that caise issue with insurance paying out claims?

Quite a stretch and lots of ifs but its worth thinking about. Certified installers have insurance to cover incorrect work in case of future problems.