Water Heater Installation Price Guide ( And Other FAQs )
Date: May 12, 2017
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WATER HEATER INSTALLATION PRICE GUIDE (AND OTHER FAQS)
MAY 11, 2017
Even though water heaters are a major utility system in our homes, their average lifespan is only eight to 12 years, meaning that it is one of the most commonly dealt with household repairs and replacements. In this article, we will break down all of the pertinent information you need to get your water heater installation taken care of so that you can make informed choices.
WATER HEATER INSTALLATION GUIDE
We are just going to go ahead and get right down to business. When the need for water heater installation arises, the first thought that comes to most homeowner’s’ minds is, “How much is this going to cost me?” The cost for your water heater installation will vary based on a variety of factors, including the type of water heater you are installing, whether or not the existing space is large enough for a new water heater and whether or not you are relying on a licensed professional to complete the job.
Because there are so many factors influencing the average water heater installation cost, it is almost impossible for anyone to truly give you a good estimate without first inspecting your home and thoroughly assessing all that will go into your water heater installation. You will want to verify that it is a licensed, reputable company or plumber. Some companies are able to offer great incentives for water heater installation if they happen to also be the company selling you the new water heater. It all depends … Regardless of the number the technician quoting you for water heater installation costs comes to, they should always be willing to explain to you the cost breakdown (parts, labor, etc.) and they should also be willing to guarantee their work.
Extenuating circumstances that can increase the cost of water heater installation vary. In some cases, especially in older homes, it turns out that a minor remodel is necessary to install the new water heater to code. If the water heater is housed in a small utility closet or somewhere similar, it may not be big enough to accommodate new water heater models which are bigger than their predecessors. Quick side note: If you’re looking to purchase a new home, checking the age and location of the water heater should be on your checklist as you walk through. The last thing you need to is to find your dream home, only to have to remodel part of it for the installation of a new water heater.
Similarly, if you are looking to cash in on some serious energy savings and the space efficiency of a tankless water heater, your Phoenix-area home will likely require some retrofitting to make it work, regardless of it is a gas or electric water heater. Therefore, tankless water heater installation is almost always more money upfront—you will have to wait to start seeing the ROI when you get your lower utility bills.
SHOULD A PLUMBER INSTALL MY WATER HEATER?
If you have thought about testing your DIY skills by completing a water heater installation on your own, you are hardly the first. And in many instances, knowledgeable homeowners are able to handle straightforward water heater installations with no problem (through hours of sweat equity). But unless you are incredibly confident in your ability to handle things like gas or electric lines and that you will be able to remember all of the tedious but important steps that go along with removing an old water heater as well as installing the new unit, it is a job probably best left to a professional. In our 30 years of business, we have a decent number of stories about DIYers who wound up calling us to clean up their mistakes partway through the water heater installation, leading to more costs and frustration for the homeowner.
It is also important to hire a professional plumber for water heater installation because it is the only way to have the peace of mind knowing that the job is done safely and according to proper code (which changes relatively frequently and which your plumber keeps abreast of as part of his or her job).
At the end of the job, it is also nice knowing that you do not have to deal with the hassle of making sure that the old water heater is properly disposed of — we have got you covered!
Ideally, the professional plumber will become involved early enough in the process that they can also talk to you about your household water heating needs and make recommendations on the type and size of water heater you should ultimately get.