need quick help - estimate of water htr replaceemt

[LCHIEN]

I just noticed my water heater is dripping into the emergency pan below it and drainig out the overflow line to the outside of the house.

I imagine my 15-Y.O. water heater has sprung a leak and I'm calling a plumber.

What is a reasonable range of price for a water heater replacement, installed?
Gas fired unit, attic above second floor, services kitchen, utility room and bathroom for two bedrooms (half of the house).
I might have the other unit replaced as well, full of sediment.

[Garasaki]

I almost hate to do this, because these things can vary soooo much from place to place,

But I'd figure about 350 bucks in parts and maybe 4 hours of labor, at a minimum of 50 $/hr, so 200 in labor.

So, $550ish.

[Tequila]

Last one I bought was 5 years ago. Cost around $650 installed if I rember correctly.

[cgallery]

The quotes I received last year were $450-ish installed from Home Depot (they have their own installers I guess) and $900 installed by a plumbing contractor.

[KenBurris]

quote in May for 50 gal Bradford White gas 6 year tank,6 year parts warranty in Cincinnati from Appliance retailer - $619.99 installed (water heater permit needed in my area $50 extra)

[sweensdv]

Around here it will cost you around the price of a Grizzly G0604 Jointer.

[JR]

I did mine with the aid of a friend. It was very easy.

Of course, mine is not located in the attic. In the attic? Who thought that one up?

JR

[LCHIEN]

I did mine with the aid of a friend. It was very easy.

Of course, mine is not located in the attic. In the attic? Who thought that one up?

JR

That's so when they leak, you know it quicker....

[os1kne]

When my mother-in-law lived in TX, she had a problem with her water heater in the attic. Fortunately, it was just a thermocouple that I was able to replace without much trouble. I suspect that locating the water heater in the attic is done because most homes in TX don't have a basement and the builder wants to save valuable floor space. Getting an empty water heater up an attic ladder for installation is a pretty good chore that tests the limits of most attic ladders, but getting a dead water heater that is full of sediment down an attic ladder has to be pushing suicide.

[Red88chevy]

I've replaced two different ones in the last couple of years. First one, installed by plumber in the $650 range. Second, I installed for $300 from Lowes. I saved $350, but I earned it, took me quite awhile to get it to quit leaking, worked on it for nearly a day. Secret was using teflon creme/paste on the threads instead of using the teflon tape. And use lots of it!

[LCHIEN]

thanks for the timely replies. the plumber came and told me it wasn't leaking, it was just a roof leak.
Well, that was both relieving and ridiculous at the same time. First what the odds that a roof leak would all end up in the pan below the water heater? And that it would be steadily dripping 24 hours after the storm?

Well I had him look again this time mopping up the water and he declares on the second try that it really is leaking.

His first quite was for $1300+ and after I complained he reduced it to $948 or 1775 if I wanted to do both.

Thinking all your replies were in the ~$600 range I said I wanted to think about it and called lowes their estimate was about $630 (everyone wants extra money for attics above the 1st floor).

So I may give lowes a try and maybe will do both if they give me a discount on the second one as it is the same model and the same age as the leaking one and making noise from all the sediment.

Lowes is quoting a 9-year Whirlpool model and the contractor a Bradford White with a 6-year warranty.

OSKNE is right - no basements in Houston/gulf-coast area contruction; some homes have them in the garage but my garage is detached and a long way away. Attic location is very common here- close to the bedroom baths.

[scorrpio]

I dunno what your heater capacity is, but Sears got them for $300 (40gal) to about $530 (75gal) You might find even better prices.

Why put in the attic? Cause then you don't need much of a flue, and you got all the ventilation air for makeup.

Disconnect the old heater, drain it, get everythng ready to connect the new one. Call a couple strong friends, buy some beer and chips, have a BBQ, get the old heater down and out, and then get the new one up. They are really not that heavy when empty. One advice: wrap some thick plastic around the bottom of the old heater.

[ragswl4]

Have you thought about a tankless water heater? Don't know how long you plan to stay in your home but maybe this makes sense for the long haul. They are more expensive in the beginning but then you will not be heating that tank of water all day for the short useage of the hot water. Just a thought. We are going to install one in our new and last (I hope) home.

[cgallery]

His first quite was for $1300+ and after I complained he reduced it to $948 or 1775 if I wanted to do both.

I find exchanges like that pretty insulting. The thought I'm always left with is, "so you were going to rip me off to the tune of an extra $350?"

[ragswl4]

Link to Bosch tankless water heater:http://www.cpotanklesswaterheaters.c...ess/ae125.html