Plumbers? Need water heater advice...
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Just noticed a small leak coming from my home's hot water heater (50gal/natural gas) and I know that means I need to replace ASAP. I found a replacement unit from Lowes with good reviews for $400; they said grand total would be between $1000-1100 installed.
With that being said...
We are planning on moving within a few years but I was wondering if it would be cheaper to opt for a tankless unit instead of a standard unit? I know they are more money for the unit but I wasn't sure if installation was cheaper. If not is $1100 a fair price for a replacement standard unit installed?
It's quite frustrating as it looks incredibly simple to install, but I'm very hesitant to attempt it due to it being natural gas.
With that being said...
We are planning on moving within a few years but I was wondering if it would be cheaper to opt for a tankless unit instead of a standard unit? I know they are more money for the unit but I wasn't sure if installation was cheaper. If not is $1100 a fair price for a replacement standard unit installed?
It's quite frustrating as it looks incredibly simple to install, but I'm very hesitant to attempt it due to it being natural gas.
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Honestly, $600-700 is on the upper end for a standard replacement, but don't expect to find a master plumber, licensed, insured, etc that is willing to do for less than $300-400 IMO. Good plumbers are getting expensive, and charging $7-800 a fixture is normal nowadays. I don't know anyone who does service calls for less than $100, that aren't on the low-end of things already.
I quoted a good friend $250 to replace his, which is a smaller unit.
Also, I've been subbing under a guy who sells and gets all the installs for bathroom/kitchen/etc for a Lowes, and the amount he said he made in his 1st month in sales was RIDICULOUS. I think it was through only like 4 customers too.
I quoted a good friend $250 to replace his, which is a smaller unit.
Also, I've been subbing under a guy who sells and gets all the installs for bathroom/kitchen/etc for a Lowes, and the amount he said he made in his 1st month in sales was RIDICULOUS. I think it was through only like 4 customers too.
Last edited by 83Stang5.0; 06-04-2014 at 06:34 PM.
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Going to tankless will cost you more. The unit has to be on an exterior wall from what I was told, so you'd have to rereout the gas lines to accomodate. Also, most places won't sell gas lines and fittings to non-licensed individuals.
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Yeah, I totally missed the gas thing, either way, Lowes charges on the higher end, but they usually have Grade A contractors. You could save some money by finding someone else, but sometimes it's just easier to do it through them.
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