replace water heater, how much is a fair price on labor charge

[rml]

40 or 50 gallon, inside garage, electric, replace existing one with a new one.

Any one knows the average labor charge for this job?

thanks

rml

 

[slag]

For a neighborly friend/handyman, I'd say $50-$75.00 or so.

Its about a 2-3 hours job to turn off the gas or unplug the power, drain the old one, unhook the fittings, remove it, bring in a new one, hook everything up, test for leaks, sweat the dielectric unions, fill it up, ensure it works, light pilot light if applicable, etc.

 

[Sundog]

Sears is like $200 or something like that. My FIL helped me replumb the water, gas and vent lines when we replaced ours.

 

[slag]

sears overcharges

Its not a hard job and should not take longer than 2-3 hours at most.

I can do it in about 45 mins and I'm just your normal average person.

@ $20/hour, thats $60.00 total.

I wouldn't pay more than $75.00 tops.

 

[Sundog]

Originally posted by: slag
sears overcharges

Its not a hard job and should not take longer than 2-3 hours at most.

I can do it in about 45 mins and I'm just your normal average person.

@ $20/hour, thats $60.00 total.

I wouldn't pay more than $75.00 tops.

Who TH charges only $20 per hour. Good luck.

 

[T2T III]

Originally posted by: slag
sears overcharges

Its not a hard job and should not take longer than 2-3 hours at most.

I can do it in about 45 mins and I'm just your normal average person.

@ $20/hour, thats $60.00 total.

I wouldn't pay more than $75.00 tops.

You're kidding, right? Do you think that someone would do the work for $60 and then have to take taxes out of it?

 

[T2T III]

OK, just ran some numbers through the National estimator software that I own. A 50 gallon electric water heater from A.O. Smith is as follows:

Part: 532.00
Labor: 218.00
Total: 750.00

 

[onebeeer2many]

Originally posted by: Tiles2Tech
OK, just ran some numbers through the National estimator software that I own. A 50 gallon electric water heater from A.O. Smith is as follows:

Part: 532.00
Labor: 218.00
Total: 750.00

That is pretty accurate. I work at Home Depot and the install rate is about $250. The reason is you half to get permits in order to legally replace a water heater and the labor includes the permits. You of course can replace it your self for next to nothing but it wont be done leaglly. GL :beer:

 

[tw1164]

You need permits to replace a water heater? Check w/ your local utilites company, they may have a program in place.

 

[Sundog]

Originally posted by: tw1164
You need permits to replace a water heater?

In some cities, yes.

 

[Antisocial Virge]

Water heater is a mini boiler. Electric is not bad but gas ones can turn a house into a crater. Each cubic foot of water can become 1600 cubic feet of steam, with that expansion..boom. Real boilers that I have to watch are even worse.

 

[T2T III]

Originally posted by: onebeeer2many

Originally posted by: Tiles2Tech
OK, just ran some numbers through the National estimator software that I own. A 50 gallon electric water heater from A.O. Smith is as follows:

Part: 532.00
Labor: 218.00
Total: 750.00

That is pretty accurate. I work at Home Depot and the install rate is about $250. The reason is you half to get permits in order to legally replace a water heater and the labor includes the permits. You of course can replace it your self for next to nothing but it wont be done leaglly. GL :beer:

I should have also pointed out that the rates I've posted are install rates. Additional amounts could be charged for disposal of the old water heater. Also, the rates don't include company profit and overhead - which are both legitimate charges.

 

[Doggiedog]

Originally posted by: tw1164
You need permits to replace a water heater? Check w/ your local utilites company, they may have a program in place.

You need permits to put a freakin nail in the wall in my Nazi town.

 

[rml]

thanks for the input

 

[sharkeeper]

Water heater is a mini boiler. Electric is not bad but gas ones can turn a house into a crater. Each cubic foot of water can become 1600 cubic feet of steam, with that expansion..boom. Real boilers that I have to watch are even worse.

Lo and behold the BLEVE!

Even electric with a 4.5kW element stuck on and a missing TP valve (meaning pipe plug put in place! Yes I've seen that!) is quite the show.

Cheers!

 

[TechnoKid]

heh...way to bump an OLD thread, but i was wondering if anyone here knew where to get new anode rods for a rheem fury gas water heater, 40 gallon. I have limited space above the heater, so I'd need a segmented one, which leads me to say I'd have to cut the old one out in pieces, unless I want to unstrap the heater from the earthquake strap, disconnect the gas and water and vent lines, then tilt the heater.

Gonna do some maintenece on the water heater today (drain tank), and I might take a look at the anode if I can muster it off.

 

[pancho619]

My dad's a plumber, his company charges $150 to replace a water heater. A little more if it's a higher capacity heater or the area is hard to reach.


Doh...didn't read the date of the thread when I replied.

Ask at your local hardware supply store, like Lowe's, Home Depot or DIY.

 

[Ornery]

$5 - $22 here. Could you put a scuttle hole above the tank, for the sake of installing anode rods in the future?