gas hot water heater ripoff??

Question

my tenant told me gas hot water heater is leaking big time - plumber replaced it with a new gas hot water hearter . over the phone quote was$ 450..

bill came today for $695,with labor. i thought initial quote was for everthing. how much have you paid for a gas hot water heater , with labor?

i am tempted to have him take it back and not pay?

am i getting ripped off??

Ibrahim Hughes · Answer

That's pretty average (maybe a tad bit more than what Investors pay YET cheaper than the typical homeowner would have paid imo). HWH about $400. 1.5 hours labor at $175-200/hr which is what some plumbers charger. The only way you could have gotten it significantly cheaper is to hire an unlicensed guy who knows his stuff just isn't licensed. Maybe you would have paid $500-550 but you would have likely had to go and pick it up with him using your truck.

Dave Savage · Answer

A decent 40 gallon hot water heater at the big box stores is around $399 when I checked a few weeks ago. Assuming he had to pick it up, take it to your rental, and install it, plus probably adjust the venting and water lines to match the new installation I don't think this is completely out of line.

Could you get it done cheaper?  Yeah probably, but if the guy showed up when he said he would and did a good job it might be worth it.  Moving forward if you are in contact with other plumbers ask for their quotes for similar installation as I am sure they have a standard install price.

Dawn Anastasi · Answer

The guy is a licensed master plumber, and yes, he is bonded and insured.

Account Closed · Answer

That's a very good price.  It typically costs $$1,000-$1,300 depending on the size (30, 40 or 50 gallons) and type (6, 9, or 12 year warranty) of water heater. Contractors around here charge $400-$500 to install a water heater and $50 to dispose the old water heater, and they don't even show up for this type of work most of the time.

Latesha C. · Answer

Ours is out, just want to make the right choice

Latesha C. · Answer

@Dawn A. Desperate 😱I’m in need of a hot water heater for my home ASAP do you know a good place today other than Home Depot Rheem. We had a Rheem. We have 10 people in our home. I dont trust easily

Alex Craig · Answer

This is a really old post, but worth addressing.  Keep in mind a 40 gallon gas hot water tank can be bought for about $400.  Labor if in the bottom floor can be done for $125 to $150.  I have not paid over $650 for a hot tank in a while (parts and labor).  Permit cost included.

David Lee · Answer

Marci Stein

I would not say that you got ripped off because New York prices may be higher than where I live. I got one and had it installed for around $500. You can always check prices of one at lowes in New York and then one in Tennesse. The prices should not be that far off. The big thing is the cost of living were you are having the work done. That why I think it is a great idea to network because you can find people who will do just as good as job for a cheaper price an example would be like @Dawn Anastasi .

Dawn Anastasi · Answer

I've heard from a plumber before that Bradford White is a really nice water heater although it costs more.  The guy I use takes the old water heater away -- they can sell them for a little bit of scrap money which makes taking away the old one worth their time.

Marcus Johnson · Answer

My guy does Reid water heaters 40 gallon tanks which are much better quality then anything you can get at the big stores for $800 for everything.

gas hot water heater ripoff??

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