Hot Water Heater + Installation - Reasonable Quote?
Hi, I just had a quote to install a 50 gallon high recovery hot water heater. The total came to $1750, which includes hauling away the old one. Being new to this sort of thing, is that a reasonable quote? Not trying to squeeze the guy, but want to make sure I’m not getting over…
Hi,
I just had a quote to install a 50 gallon high recovery hot water heater. The total came to $1750, which includes hauling away the old one. Being new to this sort of thing, is that a reasonable quote? Not trying to squeeze the guy, but want to make sure I’m not getting over charged.
Thanks.
Good call MP, that is correct…missed that one!! Kiss, make sure you fill a capital improvement form or ask the Contractor for one.
You don’t have to pay tax on a water heater replacement. It’s a capital improvement.
Kiss, Sorry I didn’t post earlier to your question. wholesalerbill is correct…you can definitely ask as many questions as you want, it’s your money and your home. I’m pricing a similar job now and the Owner is asking many questions, all of which are very well thought out and legitimate. A well educated consumer is a happy consumer. The Plumber would have no problem answering them. And yes, it definitely does take more work to go from a 40 gallon to a 50 gallon. Even if you’re replacing a 50 gallon heater of the old style and installing a newer model of the same size it’s more work because the new style is a different height. DO NOT USE THE HANDYMAN!! Although some do know what they’re doing, accidents happen….and when accidents happen when you’re not insured, they become disasters!!!
All the name brands are pretty good. If you know the model # I can tell you more about the one your getting. Stay away from the big house brands that are sold in Sears, Lowes, HD etc. They’re not the same as the ones your plumber will be installing. And professionals don’t buy their water heaters or for that matter any supplies from Sears etc.
You’ll be happy with a high recovery unit especially if there are teenage kids in the house. My 16 yr old could write a book in the time he spends in the shower and I have a regular 40 gallon.
A 60gal hi-recovery from Sears was under $750 a year ago. I got it installed by a plumber for about 500 more, including haul away. I don’t know what I’m doing wrong to spend so little.
OP, most brands are in the same ballpark. But definitely do your research and pick your own. A hirecov is a direct replacement except in the unlikely case your gas line cannot support 60kbtu (normal w/h are about 30-40kbtu). It’s practically a DIY job, btw.
wholesalerbill, thanks for the input. I think we will certainly go with the plumber. The h/w heater they will be using is an AO Smith 50 gallon high recovery unit. Are they pretty good then?
Thanks.
I can answer those questions for you kiss.
It’s perfectly reasonable to ask what equipment your getting, afterall you’re the one buying it and living with it.
Stay away from the handyman. There’s a reason he’s alot cheaper. Does he have insurance, licensed in the state? Your screwed if he burns down your home whilst installing the unit and he has no insurance. And your personal policy will tell to take a hike too.
By hiring a legitimate plumber your paying for his skilled knowledge and his legitimacy.
Always ask questions. If he’s legit he won’t mind showing you his credentials.
I recommend hiring one of the plumbers that posts on this forum. They’re all good qualified HONEST pro’s.
Thanks all. Brooklyn_Plumber, not sure if you’ll see this, but a couple of other questions. Is it reasonable to ask the plumber what brand and model they intend to install? For $2,000 I hope it would be a somewhat decent one.
We currently have a 40 gallon AO Smith heater and the plumber wants to increase the capacity to a 50 gallon high recovery one (which I guess means 60k BTUs?). Does the change in capacity indicate it is not a simple direct replacement?
I had a handyman quote $1,000 for the job, but I will probably go with the plumber for the reasons you have all stated (and since it is a gas replacement).
Sounds like a good price to me also. Plus the plumber is taking away your old water heater.
High recovery water heaters cost more than every day conventional heaters.
Does anyone other than contractors have any idea what it costs to run a business from day to day. Costs money to turn the lights on, insurance premiums, truck maintenance, etc.
You got a good price.
Which water heater did they quote you? I can nail it down for you(I sell AO Smith water heaters).
Keep in mind if I sell to a homeowner it’s about 20% higher than what I sell to the contractor. Contractors are my bread & butter and help send my kids to college, the homeowner doesn’t.