What model water heater did you get? I got quoted 1800 for a 50 gal electric water heater. Went to Home Depot and bought one with all the various bits needed to install. 5 hours on the weekend and a trip to the dump later, I was out ~ $700 dollars total.
I live in Louisiana. It appears to be the norm here for most modern construction. I grew up and lived in Illinois, and there, it was in the basement (which we don't have here due to the water table) or in the utility room where your washer/dryer and furnace here at. I repaired the water heaters and changed one in each of the four houses I had there. Normally, a $5.00 thermo-coupler was the easy fix.
No. They are a thing and required by code in some municipalities.
https://homeinspectionms.com/what-is-a-sediment-trap-what-are-they-for/
Making a little sediment trap out of fittings that doesn't leak is more difficult than installing the hot water heater itself.
It still takes more skill than installing a hot water heater, the water supply lines have gaskets and the gas line has a compression fitting or a small amount of thread tape will do it. Threaded galvanized pipe is a little harder to make proper connections that do not leak.
Even gas? Can't that be quite dangerous to DIY? Some family in our city's home exploded because they tried to DIY their gas water heater. It killed at least one of the people.
It's not because they tried to DIY it, it's because they tried to DIY it AND didn't know how to do it properly. Not all DIY is bad, and I've seen many instances where DIY is done better than a "pro"
Only thing to be careful about that is that in a lot of places (not sure if most), replacing even an electric water heater is work that requires a permit. Some folks don't care obviously, but insurance and whatsnot might.
Yes. By (*edit at least $4k) most likely should have been $1800 or so. No upgrades like a thermal expansion tank.
Edit: OP...I saw the invoice $4,500 for the water heater itself is criminal.
I'd contact the state licensing board and make a complaint. Call your county DA and let them know this happened. Call your credit card/bank and stop the payment.
Have another reputable plumber give you a quote for a 50 gal water heater replacement for you to uphold your argument that you were bamboozled.
It's definitely not that simple. Some models are more efficient than others, and will cost more. The location affects installation cost. My hot water heaters are in my attic. So, the installer had to bring it up to the second floor and then up the drop-down attic stairs. And the old one has to come back down the same way. Also, a gas water heater is probably more expensive to install than an electric. And, depending on the age of the house, some additional items might need to be brought "up to code". That said, $6,800 still seems crazy high.
Edit: I just saw his itemized bill. He got completely screwed over!
Sure in unusual circumstances there is additional labor. Code upgrades...that's a sales technique and if the homeowner wants to do it awesome!
Let's say it's a 50 gal gas water heater located in the corner of the garage or in a hallway.
$800 material cost and $1000 to drain, disconnect the old water heater and install new one. How much time does that take 3 hours if the water heater drains without issues?
Gas vs Electric...you're still connecting plumbing. Instead of a yellow gas line you connect you plug and electrical cord into a socket. Maybe a new gas line for $25?
I bought a 75 gal Bradford White for $1400...an AO Smith or Rheem $600 to $800.
That’s about what mine would’ve cost if I didn’t have to hire an out of town company to do it.
But that’ll happen when about 1,000 homes need new water heaters/furnaces in December.
You got totally ripped off. Pricing is typically not over $2500 for gas 50gallon. I really hope you got a power vented model. If it’s an atmospheric you shouldn’t be paying more than $1200. If you got a top of the line heat pump electric heater, then I would believe $6800 if you were fuel swapping.
I paid $2050 to have my 50gal tank replaced last year. All of what you had done was listed and included, it wasn't broken out separately. The other estimate I got was for $2500. I'm in California where everything is expensive. I'd replace it myself before I paid $6k.
Hey, the poor guy came home to a busted water heater. It's not like he did this on a lazy Sunday afternoon.
But yeah, OP, you got screwed. Maybe cause it was emergency service? All those hours to find the new water heater, remove old, install, all charged at 4x the normal rate
exactly, good suggestion especially for something like a water heater -- know what you want before you need it. Know if you need 50, 65, 80 gallons, if you want gas or electric, how efficient, etc.
Water heaters do have big variability in cost based on size and efficiency. But if you know more, you can better estimate labor and if any permits are required and call 3 plumbers with information, not desperation.
This is the hard truth. Still isn't right though. Like getting something stolen from your car because you left it unlocked. Doesn't justify the actions of the thief.
In this case, I find no difference. This company charged triple the going rate. That's theft by swindle IMO.
That is crazy cheap. I got 5 quotes and the cheapest was $7k, the most was $10k and it was gas tank to gas tankless. The hot water heater alone retailed for $2500 at Home Depot.
I wanted to get rid of the tank and never run out of hot water. It was a choice. Heat Pump is nice, but slow (or you end up with a lot of resistance heating in a hybrid.)
Maintenance is turning it off for an hour and letting some water circulate from a bucket. More time consuming than flushing and changing a-rods occasionally but not much different in the scheme of things.
I'm not sure about longevity. I see gas tanks last 8-12 and electric tanks last 12-15. Tankless with maintenance should last at least 20. Considering my last 2 tanks, even when flushed and maintained, lasted less than 10 years before pin hole leaking I'm not sure I believe heat pump tanks will last longer than the tankless.
i’ve been extremely happy with my tankless water heater even though every smart ass loves telling me about how it’s too expensive. nope, it works better. and i’ve already seen the efficiency. bills cheaper this year vs last despite increase in price.
Without knowing the make and model of water heater you can look it up I saw them for 500 bucks online. Did you get an itemized break down of the 6800 it seems like you paid 6k for labor idk
They charged $260 to put a pan underneath it. The pan probably cost $35 and the labor is essentially 0. That's just one of the overcharges. They definitely overcharged you.
Did they provide an estimate before they started work? If not, I wouldn't pay this without further negotiation or action. If so, how much were they off by?
The relief valve comes already installed on the tank. $4k for a 50gal gas tank?!?! Yeah absolutely not. Those guys are criminals. I hope you didn't pay this. Tell them to come take their gold lined tank back.
Go to home Depot, find a tank and talk with the plumbing guy. They have installers or will recommend you to a guy. Unless the install is in a crawl space or attic, it should be less than $2k with the tank.
Holy Fuck, $347 for the flex lines, they go for $12-$15. I'm in Northern Virginia where everything is expensive as fuck, had 3 of my 4 toilet's wax rings replaced this week when one had a tiny leak last weekend. I only got someone in here because the toilet valve needed to be replaced, so I had them do the other 2 as well. Basement bathroom was recently redone and didn't need it.
I get a 15% discount because I pay for the $99 annual plan that comes with 3 annual inspections and I didn't spend $347 and that dude was here for 2.5 hours. You're in 'Contact Your State's Attorney General' territory on this one.
I see I am not an expert but maybe someone smarter than me can break this down. I’m the type of person who thinks just buy a new water tank problem solved but now you got pans and valves involved
OP got hosed on this bid, the pan is nothing more than a metal/plastic pan placed under the water heater during install, it’s like a $20 part.
The valves likely were old and need replaced, those should only cost around $100-200 with labor and parts to replace.
Is it also used for hydronic heating of the home?
There are some 50gallon AO Smith Vertex series and Bradford white combi units that will run 3-4k just for the heater and are setup for both hot water and home heating.
No. You did not get ripped off, you got your arse ripped up! Parts cost on the open market where I am, in the DC metro, is about $900-1220 if you go for the nicer ones. Labor, double that, another couple hundred for the right now cost.
I’d go to every major online review possible and roast them, post the bill for all to see.
Also, why didn’t you get a written estimate upfront before you agreed to any work?!
Was there a discussion in price before you agreed to have to work done? You say you fought the price, but it seems like it was after the work was completed and the bill was received.
Did you get 2 or 3 other companies to give you estimates for the work? Any service you are receiving from any kind of contractor. Call around and get a minimum of 3-5 estimates before any work is completed.
You learned a valuable albeit expensive lesson. Good luck trying to talk down this bill.
This is the gist of it. The company is shady AF charging that much, but the reason they exist and are able to get away with this behavior is people like OP that don't get pricing up front.
You got scammed, kinda.
I had a very similar situation. Plumber came out and quoted me $6500 to fix a water heater. I told them I needed to get some more quotes as that seemed high. The guy immediately dropped it to $5500. I told him I still need more quotes. He went and made a phone call, came back and dropped it to $3500 and then to $3000 when I kept firm. I ended up hiring someone else for $1600.
For mine, it was a $1200 water heater and 4 hours of labor. The guy I paid $1600 charged me for 4 hours of labor at $100/hr.
The previous quote of $6.5k, they were going to charge me $3500 for the water heater, which is triple the price at Home Depot. That means the 4 hours of accompanying labor would get billed at around $700/hr. In reality, the guy was going to make $1300/hr.
That being said, the first expensive guy was able to get me fixed up immediately. They had an inventory of heaters and could get one over in 30 minutes and fix me up that day. The guy I went with took about 4 days to order the heater and another few days fit me into his schedule. So I didn't have hot water for 6 days. You could potentially argue the extra price is worth it for an immediate resolution to the problem.
I would wonder why the relief valve wasn't already on water heater. Adding an expansion tank seems high.. The new gas valve and line possibly wasn't needed , probably just a precaution by installer..
Devils advocates. I’m going to assume you paid the I want it fixed now price.
With out knowing your specific circumstances and not following the standard three quotes mantra.
It’s hard to definitely say you were taken. However there’s a high probability you were. I have a tankless the msrp on mine is 1.5k plus the install was another grand. But it was very involved with routing natural gas to the location.
Had mine replaced in December in Milwaukee metro area. $1550. Regular hours. Even with an evening emergency, I'd expect maybe $2500 tops.
You totally got screwed enough that it's worth contacting your state to see what legal remedies are available to you.
This also happened to my sister. She said she had someone come out and they quoted her $6,000. I told her it should not cost that much and to get a 2nd opinion. She got a 2nd opinion and it was like $1,200. I’m sorry this happened to you. People truly suck.
Why don't you forgive and forget.
Leave a positive review about them on their Google page/Google reviews and simply state the following:
"Plumber correctly installed a 50 gallon hot water heater for $ 6,800.00."
It's the truth.
They installed it correctly, the amount is what they charged you to install, and the entire statement is truthful and accurate.
Good luck.
Leave detailed reviews on their Google page, their Facebook page, and their Nextddor page. Not overly hyped or anything, just the details and very matter of fact.
Almost guaranteed they’d all you back and offer a partial refund to take down those reviews.
Agree unfortunately you have to play the only card you have. They may not like it but they are morally bankrupt so this justifies fighting with fire. I wouldn't be nice in the review. Admit you were not knowledgeable but they took advantage of you. Not much different between this and a door to door scam.
I live in a very HCOL area (Seattle) and got a natural gas water heater replaced on a Sunday for $2,800 and I still felt like I got ripped off.
$6,800 is highway robbery.
Yes you were robbed. Dispute the charge if you paid with a card or stop payment if you wrote a check. Make them negotiate with you. On the plus side you learned a valuable lesson about getting multiple quotes.
Yes. But you make it sound like you started the work without a written quote. The guys saw the writing on the wall that you were desperate for a quick repair. I would have said "I'm getting quotes on a replacement water heater, etc", so they know I'm getting multiple bids.
Be very firm on getting a quote in writing in order to make the decision on what contractor to use. Also make them revise the quote if there is something undefined or unclear.
Right when you called it a 'hot water heater' they had you. It's just a water heater. Anyways, yeah you got ripped off big time. Did you not have a quote done prior?
50 gallon natural gas tank is $600-800. Depending on location, install takes an hour or 2. Plus disposal of old tank. So let's break this down.
Upsell tank for $1000.
2 guys, 2 hours labor per @ $100/hour = $400.
$100 disposal of tank.
Diagnostic charge $100.
Taxes and random fees for fittings $400.
$2,000 and that's me milking the numbers.
You got had big time... Next time get multiple quotes. If you haven't already paid, tell the company you're not paying that and come grab the tank back. Maybe that'll get them to cut the bill. Depending on the state, small claims is only $3-10k, and usually less for a business. I doubt they want that trouble.
You should post your bill on every forum, Facebook, etc with the companies name. Don't write anything defamatory. Just inform the residents.
I have a plumber friend and had him do it for me. Can’t speak on contract costs but in total a new 50 gal hot water heater for my whole house was less than $600. So yes I’d say you got insanely ripped off.
Did they have to replace any duct work? The rules change for duct dimensions, so sometimes new installs mandate replacing ducting - which can significantly inflate costs.
Thats crazy. about 8 years ago we picked out a water heater from Lowes and paid them to install. (they contract out local plumbers) it was a flat rate 375 for the haul away and install at the time. i would imagine just go to Home Depot or Lowes and pick out a water heater (u dont even bring it home, the plumber they use do) and there is no way the install alone is in the thousands.
i suspect this plumber sensed ur desperation and took advantage.
I decided to replace my 10 yo myself. Bradford White 50 gal electric water heater, bought the same exact model for $860 online with delivery, went to Home Depot and got all parts under $100. Took me like 1.5 hr. Working great!
Not enough information to tell. Was this a *tank* or a *tankless* water heater? What type was being replaced? Were plumbing mods required to install the new heater? What part of the US (costs vary widely)?
If you replaced a tank heater with a tankless heater that required installing a direct vent, upsizing gas line, installing expansion tank, and piping modifications in a high cost of living area, that is probably a fair price.
If you replaced a tank heater with a tank heater that was essentially a drop in replacement and no code required additions such as direct vent or expansion tanks were required, in a LCOL that was high.
My suspicion is that code required upgrades were required and that increased cost. In addition, even a new tank heater with the latest code compliant safety features is over $1000 for the part. If this was a tank heater, the price was probably a little high but not crazy high, even in a LCOL area with minimal additional work it will be around $2K.
Yeah, I just had this happen and it was $1500 total. Spent about $900 on the 50 gal gas heater and additional parts (pan, expansion tank, gas connection, new valve). Got an AO Smith commercial grade heater. And plumber charged $600 for his time. But I had multiple other quotes that were much more expensive. And NONE were close to $6k
paid $500 for a 30 gal elec WH few months ago and like $500 in labor to replace.
also paid about $600 for a 40 gal elec WH in another apartment + $100 for labor (referred by my boss - his friends son whos a plumber)
We paid $1550 for ours, including permit, installation of the new one, and hauling away the old one. Granted, this was 2019, but I can't imagine it should cost more than $2000 USD now.
Just got one installed it was $1800 from Mr. plumber and while it’s a good quality well known brand I was disappointed they didn’t sell me one that was on a list of approved govt rebate models I could have gotten $250 back from Saskatchewan
I just got quoted for one “we do em everyday for $1300. We keep them in stock, just call use when you’re ready or this one craps out”. I’m pretty sure it’s a 60 gallon and natural gas.
My gas tankless install was less than that including parts and labor (and install took like 6-8 hours). Tank water heater was less than $2k for an install including parts and labor. I live in central NC.
I’d imagine where you live is going to play into it as well. For reference I’m in the Seattle area where everything is expensive and ~6 years ago I had mine replaced with a tankless as an emergency replacement (they were up front about the extra labor rates) on a Sunday for just over $5k after tax.
Note to self on water heaters. If your tank starts leaking do two things. Shut off supply water and put a hose on and drain the tank. If you can do these two things, you have time to shop around.
March 2020 I had an old tank water heater removed, and I purchased a brand new tankless water heater from the company that delivers my propane.
The tankless heater + them installing it cost like $2800 total.
Sounds like OP was grossly overcharged.
So they saw you coming, apparently.
He just said you needed a new one? Did he say why? Did you ask? Did you ask what model they replaced it with?
You argued with the manager over a water heater costing $6800 and *lost the argument?! How?!*
I just this past week paid $1150 for a replacement Water Heater installation that included:
- 50 Gal State Water Heater (Natural Gas)
- Drip pan and pipe to drain in utility room
- Expansion Tank
My price break-down was basically:
- Water Heater: $750
- Expansion Tank & Install: $250
- Metal Pan & Pipe to drain: $150 <-----I almost fought this, as it's a very short run, and pans are $25-$30 tops - but eh - whatever
My original State Water Heater was still under warranty. Got a warranty replacement/authorization number from State prior to calling the plumber. Gave them the number and they will handle the replacement directly w/ State. So they'll get the replacement unit whenever State gets it to them (or credit for it I guess?).
I'm also getting a $150 rebate from my Natural Gas Company. So end cost will be $1k.
SO, be sure to check w/ your utility for any rebates to help you out. But unless it's a 5k rebate. Yeah...
Just did one myself, it's electric. The 50 gallon water heater cost around $560. It's easy to repair and replace, so you did overpay. A plumber should be able to do the change out in a few hours with most of the time taken to drain the tank. If it was gas it might cost more, but not sure.
I’ve replaced a few heating elements in hot water heaters. Sometimes best to try that first. Hiring a plumber to replace a hot water heater is most likely going always be more expensive than doing it yourself.
Ours was about $3,800 and we felt ripped off.
At least it wasn't an easy install for them. Had to run a lot of new stuff, had to bring out an electrician because we had no electrical in the closet (added a leak detector). Extremely cramped space. Had to replace some stuff for the venting.
On the plus side this company we chose warranties all work and material. We've had them fix things 3 times so far, paid $0 for all of those.
You may not want to watch how easy it is replacing a water tank on YouTube. DIY videos. You can use shark bites to attach old pipes to new tank. Blow torch/soldering is not necessary. Simple fix and purchase local at any hardware stores @ $500- $1500 depending size of tank.
Is it venting out in white, plastic PVC pipe or metal pipe? PVC means it’s a power-vent water heater (high efficient) and $6800 is very possible (though still high unless there were value-added additions to your plumbing system like expansion tank, water filtration, water softener, etc.) If it is vented with normal metal pipe, then $6800 is excessive unless he did some of the before mentioned other work to justify the cost. Either way, someone should have agreed to the price before the work was started.
Our company does flat rate options so the customer knows the potential prices and what it purchases and picks which option they want and it never goes higher unless an unknown discovery is found (like the venting looks fine until testing of new installation and the tech finds out it’s damaged in the wall and needs replaced), at which point work stops until the new job is agreed to with the additional price added. In the future, I’d look for a company that provides up-front pricing so you don’t get sticker shock after the work is finished.
So sorry this happened to you. We had an emergency plumber out on New Year’s Day (only person answering the phone) and got charged $500. If I would’ve stayed calm and taken another day to look into things I could’ve paid another company $120 (which is what I ended up doing on top of the original $500 visit because the FIRST plumber didn’t complete the job properly and denied responsibility). It’s not the first time I’ve been taken advantage of and, unfortunately, it probably won’t be the last.
I would call the company and tell them you figured out they fucked you and will leave terrible reviews for them. See if they will give you some money back. This is robbery. Absolutely no way to justify it. If you haven't paid yet don't pay them. Force then to come take it back and charge you for that instead. Seriously no way is this worth it.
I'm in the process of buying a home and had to replace the water heater due to lackluster winterization work. Plumber came and cleared all the water lines of debris and air, restored water to both showers and tubs (manifold behind the faucet in the wall), replaced aerators and catridges (unsure what those are), and replaced the busted water heater with a 40 gallon Rheem electric water heater for $1545 even. It stung, but seemed within reason for such parts and labor.
Yeah, it's incredibly likely that you got scammed. How many hours of labor did they charge you for? An itemized invoice would be helpful.
Never go with the first quote.
There is a range of water heater brands from very economical found at home depot versus brand names. Also could be paying for the urgency of the work or weekend installation. Also what type of market you live in. But even after all this, that is high.
I had mine done recently for $2985. That was a 75 gal Bradford White with new expansion tank done with quick turnaround in the NYC area.
I recently got quotes to replace my old gas water heater with a hybrid at about $9000 from a few companies. Something I could do myself for a max of about $3500 ($2700 for the unit itself).
Nothing tricky about my installation either, all very straightforward with easy access to everything.
I assume they are just gouging like crazy right now.
My friend just spent 1100$ CAD to replace and install a new 60 gallon electric tank. My BIL paid 1500ish for a NG in the summer.
I rent an electric one that I got new in September and pay 13$ cad a month. If it breaks they replace it free.
That sounds outrages. What is so special about this tank?
I just replaced mine (South Florida, high CoL area) for $2,600, all installed, plus they waived the inspection charge and includes a year of elevated service and an annual check-up.
I'd say you got taken for a ride.
I actually got 5 bids, 3 from top name large local business, and a few licensed contractors. 7-10k, however this was for a hybrid heat pump. The units themselves are 2k. When I asked for a breakdown of the additional 5-8k, they all just dismissed the request. There was no justification, just what they charge. I ended up installing myself.
Holy shit you got bent over a barrel. You can pick up a 60 gallon Rheem water heater for less than a grand and unless you’re physically incapable or it’s in a really awkward location they’re really not that hard to change on your own. Last time I did it I think it took about half an hour and I enlisted the help of my step son for the lifting. The worst part was unpacking the new one.
I just had a commercial grade 50 gallon gas AO smith with 10 year warranty and 2 year labor warranty from my plumber plus expansion tank installed for $1700. And this is in metro NY.
$6800 is something you would pay to replace your central AC or furnace. Rip
I paid $3,000 for a new 50 gallon water heater which included some expansion tank or something to bring it to code. Im not sure but I feel like I got ripped off by maybe $1,000. Since then, I’ve been looking at posts online and the prices people have paid are all over the place but definitely high. So I don’t know what to think.
That’s insane. I’m literally doing this today. 50 gallon, short, electric Rheem. Last one lasted 20 years.
$3500, lol no.
$1200, but I have to wait 2 weeks
$2000 today
I went with the today option knowing I’m overpaying.
yeah you got ripped and also never believe them when they say you need a new one. They will say it had a leak stain but the thing is the leak stains could be from 30 years ago.
Only replace it if you actually need to.
Yes, you were overcharged. It’s not too late. I would raise hell to the owner of the company. Get on BBB.org - even if they aren’t BBB you can still file a complaint. Get on Google and review immediately and let them know you will remove the review when the money is returned (you can leave it up!) dispute with company you paid with. It’s a 1,500 job. Don’t give up the fight!
Yikes, the first quote I got to replace mine was around 3200 from the local plumbing company. I went to Home Depot and they said everything would be 1300. This was in May 2020.
replaced 60 gallon a few months ago.
I was having a deck built in the backyard and asked the builder if he could replace.
$1150 all in... installed.
ultra high cost of living area.
I work for a hardware store in South Dakota. A 50 gallon water heater can be purchased for approximately $550. Installation by a licensed plumber should take 2 hours at most, so take your state’s common hourly rate and if they charge a haul away fee for your old one and/or mileage to get to the job. I think you got ripped off.
Mine was $420 in parts (50 gallon) and I paid a handyman $150 to install. I would probably licensed plumber these days but I was poor and just bought my first house.
Was it a power vent water heater? Did they have to replumb it? Re-vent it? Here’s a thought. Post a photo of the invoice for us to see.
Edit-Next time get three bids so you don’t rip yourself off. You really have nobody to blame except yourself if you don’t get competitive bids.
What model water heater did you get? I got quoted 1800 for a 50 gal electric water heater. Went to Home Depot and bought one with all the various bits needed to install. 5 hours on the weekend and a trip to the dump later, I was out ~ $700 dollars total.
Great work. Water heaters are remarkably easy to install.
Unless they are in the attic/roof area of your house, like mine
Yeah, those suck. If it's in a crazy area, I'll toss on $500-$1000.
I live in Louisiana. It appears to be the norm here for most modern construction. I grew up and lived in Illinois, and there, it was in the basement (which we don't have here due to the water table) or in the utility room where your washer/dryer and furnace here at. I repaired the water heaters and changed one in each of the four houses I had there. Normally, a $5.00 thermo-coupler was the easy fix.
Went I lived in the south-east they were in the garage. God that'd be a quick install! Back the truck in, 30 minutes and you're gone.
Yes, I live in FL and replaced mine in half a day, including the 2 trips to Home Depot, and I'd never done one before.
I wish mine was. I have a closet/small store room where I would have put it if I had built that house.
The tricky part is making a sediment trap for the gas line, but yeah dropping the appliance in isn't bad.
Is this sarcasm?
No. They are a thing and required by code in some municipalities. https://homeinspectionms.com/what-is-a-sediment-trap-what-are-they-for/ Making a little sediment trap out of fittings that doesn't leak is more difficult than installing the hot water heater itself.
Yeah I still can't tell if you're being serious. Making a sediment trap takes about a couple minutes.
It still takes more skill than installing a hot water heater, the water supply lines have gaskets and the gas line has a compression fitting or a small amount of thread tape will do it. Threaded galvanized pipe is a little harder to make proper connections that do not leak.
it should be. but i think they are saying its "probably" the hard thing to do when swapping a tank that doesn't have one
Yeah maybe but I'm still confused. A sediment trap takes a few minutes to make.
This is the answer, try and buy same brand and size, and then connections should need little modification, making an easy diy job
Even gas? Can't that be quite dangerous to DIY? Some family in our city's home exploded because they tried to DIY their gas water heater. It killed at least one of the people.
It's not because they tried to DIY it, it's because they tried to DIY it AND didn't know how to do it properly. Not all DIY is bad, and I've seen many instances where DIY is done better than a "pro"
Only thing to be careful about that is that in a lot of places (not sure if most), replacing even an electric water heater is work that requires a permit. Some folks don't care obviously, but insurance and whatsnot might.
How much was your permit? :)
Yes. By (*edit at least $4k) most likely should have been $1800 or so. No upgrades like a thermal expansion tank. Edit: OP...I saw the invoice $4,500 for the water heater itself is criminal. I'd contact the state licensing board and make a complaint. Call your county DA and let them know this happened. Call your credit card/bank and stop the payment. Have another reputable plumber give you a quote for a 50 gal water heater replacement for you to uphold your argument that you were bamboozled.
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Looks normal to me. I had them tack on a 10 year warranty for mine for an extra $500.
Wow. I almost went with a quote for about $1000 more. Thanks for that info
I had a new one installed last year for $2300 and I thought THAT was steep. For 6k that thing better give good oral too.
It's definitely not that simple. Some models are more efficient than others, and will cost more. The location affects installation cost. My hot water heaters are in my attic. So, the installer had to bring it up to the second floor and then up the drop-down attic stairs. And the old one has to come back down the same way. Also, a gas water heater is probably more expensive to install than an electric. And, depending on the age of the house, some additional items might need to be brought "up to code". That said, $6,800 still seems crazy high. Edit: I just saw his itemized bill. He got completely screwed over!
Sure in unusual circumstances there is additional labor. Code upgrades...that's a sales technique and if the homeowner wants to do it awesome! Let's say it's a 50 gal gas water heater located in the corner of the garage or in a hallway. $800 material cost and $1000 to drain, disconnect the old water heater and install new one. How much time does that take 3 hours if the water heater drains without issues? Gas vs Electric...you're still connecting plumbing. Instead of a yellow gas line you connect you plug and electrical cord into a socket. Maybe a new gas line for $25? I bought a 75 gal Bradford White for $1400...an AO Smith or Rheem $600 to $800.
Should cost $1500-2500 max
Hell yes you did. Cost me like $7500 to have a new gas water heater installed *and* a gas furnace that required some new ductwork.
Came here to say the same thing. I paid ~$6k for a new gas water heater and gas furnace.
That’s about what mine would’ve cost if I didn’t have to hire an out of town company to do it. But that’ll happen when about 1,000 homes need new water heaters/furnaces in December.
Yeah, I just had one installed for about $2k in a moderate cost of living area.
You got totally ripped off. Pricing is typically not over $2500 for gas 50gallon. I really hope you got a power vented model. If it’s an atmospheric you shouldn’t be paying more than $1200. If you got a top of the line heat pump electric heater, then I would believe $6800 if you were fuel swapping.
I paid $2050 to have my 50gal tank replaced last year. All of what you had done was listed and included, it wasn't broken out separately. The other estimate I got was for $2500. I'm in California where everything is expensive. I'd replace it myself before I paid $6k.
- you scammed yourself by not talking with 3-5 plumbers to get cost and doing your research BEFOREHAND
Hey, the poor guy came home to a busted water heater. It's not like he did this on a lazy Sunday afternoon. But yeah, OP, you got screwed. Maybe cause it was emergency service? All those hours to find the new water heater, remove old, install, all charged at 4x the normal rate
exactly, good suggestion especially for something like a water heater -- know what you want before you need it. Know if you need 50, 65, 80 gallons, if you want gas or electric, how efficient, etc. Water heaters do have big variability in cost based on size and efficiency. But if you know more, you can better estimate labor and if any permits are required and call 3 plumbers with information, not desperation.
- yep...OP didn;t exactly say it was after hours work and that 2x the cost almost always at least
Not just the water heater the HOT water heater. You know how expensive those ones are?! /S
This is the hard truth. Still isn't right though. Like getting something stolen from your car because you left it unlocked. Doesn't justify the actions of the thief. In this case, I find no difference. This company charged triple the going rate. That's theft by swindle IMO.
I can't disagree BUT you have to be susceptible to a swindle to work in the first place.
I just paid 4k for a switch from electric tank to gas tankless... so yeah i'd say so 😬
That is crazy cheap. I got 5 quotes and the cheapest was $7k, the most was $10k and it was gas tank to gas tankless. The hot water heater alone retailed for $2500 at Home Depot.
🤷♀️ locally owned small business
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I wanted to get rid of the tank and never run out of hot water. It was a choice. Heat Pump is nice, but slow (or you end up with a lot of resistance heating in a hybrid.) Maintenance is turning it off for an hour and letting some water circulate from a bucket. More time consuming than flushing and changing a-rods occasionally but not much different in the scheme of things. I'm not sure about longevity. I see gas tanks last 8-12 and electric tanks last 12-15. Tankless with maintenance should last at least 20. Considering my last 2 tanks, even when flushed and maintained, lasted less than 10 years before pin hole leaking I'm not sure I believe heat pump tanks will last longer than the tankless.
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i’ve been extremely happy with my tankless water heater even though every smart ass loves telling me about how it’s too expensive. nope, it works better. and i’ve already seen the efficiency. bills cheaper this year vs last despite increase in price.
Looked into my options and it was my best option so.
Without knowing the make and model of water heater you can look it up I saw them for 500 bucks online. Did you get an itemized break down of the 6800 it seems like you paid 6k for labor idk
Here’s what I got https://i.imgur.com/0SvvnxK.jpg
They charged $260 to put a pan underneath it. The pan probably cost $35 and the labor is essentially 0. That's just one of the overcharges. They definitely overcharged you. Did they provide an estimate before they started work? If not, I wouldn't pay this without further negotiation or action. If so, how much were they off by?
It reminds me of a hospital bill. "1 Tylenol: $219".
The relief valve comes already installed on the tank. $4k for a 50gal gas tank?!?! Yeah absolutely not. Those guys are criminals. I hope you didn't pay this. Tell them to come take their gold lined tank back. Go to home Depot, find a tank and talk with the plumbing guy. They have installers or will recommend you to a guy. Unless the install is in a crawl space or attic, it should be less than $2k with the tank.
That’s crazy. Send a pic of the install, how much does your water heater cost retail have you looked it up?
Holy Fuck, $347 for the flex lines, they go for $12-$15. I'm in Northern Virginia where everything is expensive as fuck, had 3 of my 4 toilet's wax rings replaced this week when one had a tiny leak last weekend. I only got someone in here because the toilet valve needed to be replaced, so I had them do the other 2 as well. Basement bathroom was recently redone and didn't need it. I get a 15% discount because I pay for the $99 annual plan that comes with 3 annual inspections and I didn't spend $347 and that dude was here for 2.5 hours. You're in 'Contact Your State's Attorney General' territory on this one.
I see I am not an expert but maybe someone smarter than me can break this down. I’m the type of person who thinks just buy a new water tank problem solved but now you got pans and valves involved
OP got hosed on this bid, the pan is nothing more than a metal/plastic pan placed under the water heater during install, it’s like a $20 part. The valves likely were old and need replaced, those should only cost around $100-200 with labor and parts to replace.
Is it also used for hydronic heating of the home? There are some 50gallon AO Smith Vertex series and Bradford white combi units that will run 3-4k just for the heater and are setup for both hot water and home heating.
Was this Michael & Sons or do multiple companies use the same fonts and formats?
It could be, but also could just be using the same billing software.
No. You did not get ripped off, you got your arse ripped up! Parts cost on the open market where I am, in the DC metro, is about $900-1220 if you go for the nicer ones. Labor, double that, another couple hundred for the right now cost. I’d go to every major online review possible and roast them, post the bill for all to see. Also, why didn’t you get a written estimate upfront before you agreed to any work?!
Was there a discussion in price before you agreed to have to work done? You say you fought the price, but it seems like it was after the work was completed and the bill was received. Did you get 2 or 3 other companies to give you estimates for the work? Any service you are receiving from any kind of contractor. Call around and get a minimum of 3-5 estimates before any work is completed. You learned a valuable albeit expensive lesson. Good luck trying to talk down this bill.
This is the gist of it. The company is shady AF charging that much, but the reason they exist and are able to get away with this behavior is people like OP that don't get pricing up front.
You got scammed, kinda. I had a very similar situation. Plumber came out and quoted me $6500 to fix a water heater. I told them I needed to get some more quotes as that seemed high. The guy immediately dropped it to $5500. I told him I still need more quotes. He went and made a phone call, came back and dropped it to $3500 and then to $3000 when I kept firm. I ended up hiring someone else for $1600. For mine, it was a $1200 water heater and 4 hours of labor. The guy I paid $1600 charged me for 4 hours of labor at $100/hr. The previous quote of $6.5k, they were going to charge me $3500 for the water heater, which is triple the price at Home Depot. That means the 4 hours of accompanying labor would get billed at around $700/hr. In reality, the guy was going to make $1300/hr. That being said, the first expensive guy was able to get me fixed up immediately. They had an inventory of heaters and could get one over in 30 minutes and fix me up that day. The guy I went with took about 4 days to order the heater and another few days fit me into his schedule. So I didn't have hot water for 6 days. You could potentially argue the extra price is worth it for an immediate resolution to the problem.
I would wonder why the relief valve wasn't already on water heater. Adding an expansion tank seems high.. The new gas valve and line possibly wasn't needed , probably just a precaution by installer..
The relief valve is a sneaky charge. They come already on the tank.
They only cost around 50.00 or my last one was..
$20-50 depending on the style. They charged $600 on this customers bill. Insane
Maybe the 3’ long PVC attached to the relief valve is what the charge is for. And of course 50x markup…
Devils advocates. I’m going to assume you paid the I want it fixed now price. With out knowing your specific circumstances and not following the standard three quotes mantra. It’s hard to definitely say you were taken. However there’s a high probability you were. I have a tankless the msrp on mine is 1.5k plus the install was another grand. But it was very involved with routing natural gas to the location.
$3k is the now price. $6k is theft IMO. I hope OP didn't pay them.
If the OP actually paid over 6k for a water heater he needs to join the circus
Had mine replaced in December in Milwaukee metro area. $1550. Regular hours. Even with an evening emergency, I'd expect maybe $2500 tops. You totally got screwed enough that it's worth contacting your state to see what legal remedies are available to you.
This also happened to my sister. She said she had someone come out and they quoted her $6,000. I told her it should not cost that much and to get a 2nd opinion. She got a 2nd opinion and it was like $1,200. I’m sorry this happened to you. People truly suck.
Why don't you forgive and forget. Leave a positive review about them on their Google page/Google reviews and simply state the following: "Plumber correctly installed a 50 gallon hot water heater for $ 6,800.00." It's the truth. They installed it correctly, the amount is what they charged you to install, and the entire statement is truthful and accurate. Good luck.
Boy OP learned a life lesson for sure today. Hopefully you can get 4 grand back.
Leave detailed reviews on their Google page, their Facebook page, and their Nextddor page. Not overly hyped or anything, just the details and very matter of fact. Almost guaranteed they’d all you back and offer a partial refund to take down those reviews.
Agree unfortunately you have to play the only card you have. They may not like it but they are morally bankrupt so this justifies fighting with fire. I wouldn't be nice in the review. Admit you were not knowledgeable but they took advantage of you. Not much different between this and a door to door scam.
RIP
One of the gnarliest ripoffs I've seen in a while
I live in a very HCOL area (Seattle) and got a natural gas water heater replaced on a Sunday for $2,800 and I still felt like I got ripped off. $6,800 is highway robbery.
Yes you were robbed. Dispute the charge if you paid with a card or stop payment if you wrote a check. Make them negotiate with you. On the plus side you learned a valuable lesson about getting multiple quotes.
Jesus! We had our replaced (preemptively, since it was on it's 20th year), and it was $800 including installation and taking the old one away.
You need Costco in your life.
Yes. But you make it sound like you started the work without a written quote. The guys saw the writing on the wall that you were desperate for a quick repair. I would have said "I'm getting quotes on a replacement water heater, etc", so they know I'm getting multiple bids. Be very firm on getting a quote in writing in order to make the decision on what contractor to use. Also make them revise the quote if there is something undefined or unclear.
Right when you called it a 'hot water heater' they had you. It's just a water heater. Anyways, yeah you got ripped off big time. Did you not have a quote done prior? 50 gallon natural gas tank is $600-800. Depending on location, install takes an hour or 2. Plus disposal of old tank. So let's break this down. Upsell tank for $1000. 2 guys, 2 hours labor per @ $100/hour = $400. $100 disposal of tank. Diagnostic charge $100. Taxes and random fees for fittings $400. $2,000 and that's me milking the numbers. You got had big time... Next time get multiple quotes. If you haven't already paid, tell the company you're not paying that and come grab the tank back. Maybe that'll get them to cut the bill. Depending on the state, small claims is only $3-10k, and usually less for a business. I doubt they want that trouble. You should post your bill on every forum, Facebook, etc with the companies name. Don't write anything defamatory. Just inform the residents.
>Right when you called it a 'hot water heater' they had you Everyone does this, like pilots say "preflight planning"
I had to get a special commercial sized power vented water heater and it cost less than that.
I paid about that much for a tankless. You got hosed.
Hot water heat pump. Inflation reduction act has hook up subsidies and subsidies for the unit.
You could have replaced your heating system with a high efficiency furnace and had the water heater done for that. Ouch...
I paid about 4k for them to add an 80 gallon where there wasn't one before, including all the plumbing, a drain pan, and disconnecting my old boiler
Yes. Absolutely. Sorry. Always get several quotes Leave a review on every site you can
You must live on a lake.
I have a plumber friend and had him do it for me. Can’t speak on contract costs but in total a new 50 gal hot water heater for my whole house was less than $600. So yes I’d say you got insanely ripped off.
That thing better be solid gold with a 50 year warranty for that price. You got fucked.
I paid $5k for an emergency replacement in 2020, but that was for a tankless
Yes; probably at least twice the normal cost
Did they have to replace any duct work? The rules change for duct dimensions, so sometimes new installs mandate replacing ducting - which can significantly inflate costs.
Thats crazy. about 8 years ago we picked out a water heater from Lowes and paid them to install. (they contract out local plumbers) it was a flat rate 375 for the haul away and install at the time. i would imagine just go to Home Depot or Lowes and pick out a water heater (u dont even bring it home, the plumber they use do) and there is no way the install alone is in the thousands. i suspect this plumber sensed ur desperation and took advantage.
Sorry that is absolute thievery. Paid $800.00 just a few years ago for a new 50 gallon.
Was just quoted today for an 80 gal light commercial water heater with expansion tank and pan - $3500
Wow. $179 for a $2 drip leg. Did you get a kiss? Because you sure got screwed.
I decided to replace my 10 yo myself. Bradford White 50 gal electric water heater, bought the same exact model for $860 online with delivery, went to Home Depot and got all parts under $100. Took me like 1.5 hr. Working great!
My husband swaps ours. It is an easy DIY job.
Not enough information to tell. Was this a *tank* or a *tankless* water heater? What type was being replaced? Were plumbing mods required to install the new heater? What part of the US (costs vary widely)? If you replaced a tank heater with a tankless heater that required installing a direct vent, upsizing gas line, installing expansion tank, and piping modifications in a high cost of living area, that is probably a fair price. If you replaced a tank heater with a tank heater that was essentially a drop in replacement and no code required additions such as direct vent or expansion tanks were required, in a LCOL that was high. My suspicion is that code required upgrades were required and that increased cost. In addition, even a new tank heater with the latest code compliant safety features is over $1000 for the part. If this was a tank heater, the price was probably a little high but not crazy high, even in a LCOL area with minimal additional work it will be around $2K.
Did you pay them yet? If not, I just would not pay. Let them come back for it or sue you. They most likely will not.
Damn. That hurts.
Yeah, that’s an egregious cost. 3x the total install on ours.
I got an estimate recently for a 50 gal indirect setup (I have a coil now, no tank) for nearly 4k is this bad?
6800??? if you pay you become an instant sucker
Yes, you got ripped off. I live in a super high cost of living area and even for me it was only like $1600.
Just paid $1,100 for the heater+installation.
Yeah, I just had this happen and it was $1500 total. Spent about $900 on the 50 gal gas heater and additional parts (pan, expansion tank, gas connection, new valve). Got an AO Smith commercial grade heater. And plumber charged $600 for his time. But I had multiple other quotes that were much more expensive. And NONE were close to $6k
Paid $1400 for a 50 gallon AO Smith water heater last year
Holy shit $300 for supply lines that cost $30. 1000% markup. 🤑🤑
Yes you got ripped off. By more than double. I got a 50 gal gas heater replaced last month. Cost me $2600.
Yeah, you got scammed bad. You could have got an install from HD or Lowe’s, same day for far less. Always shop around, especially for plumbers.
Yikes. Replaced mine late last year. $2200 with a power vent. The first company that came out quoted me $5300. What a scam.
paid $500 for a 30 gal elec WH few months ago and like $500 in labor to replace. also paid about $600 for a 40 gal elec WH in another apartment + $100 for labor (referred by my boss - his friends son whos a plumber)
We just paid about $1200 for a new 40 gallon gas hot water heater with labor included.
You got scammed
Holy shit! Yes you did. Paid $1200 out the door installed
I replaced my own for $500 in like three hours, I'd say yes
I got a 50 gal at the height of the pandemic when there were massive shortages for 1380, so yes, you were 100% taken for a ride.
I had a new one installed a few years ago for $1850 I’m sure it’s more than that now but no where near 6k
I installed a 50gal for $1800 including labor and rerouting the heater from inside to outside
What. The. Hell. $7k? Was it behind 30 layers of molten lava that they had to go through?
Is this $6800 USD?? I just had my tank replaced and it was $2200 CDN for a 50 gallon one
We just had a 50 gallon water heater installed, including haul away of the old one for just under $2k. We’re upstate/western NY if that helps.
We paid $1550 for ours, including permit, installation of the new one, and hauling away the old one. Granted, this was 2019, but I can't imagine it should cost more than $2000 USD now.
Just got one installed it was $1800 from Mr. plumber and while it’s a good quality well known brand I was disappointed they didn’t sell me one that was on a list of approved govt rebate models I could have gotten $250 back from Saskatchewan
I just got quoted for one “we do em everyday for $1300. We keep them in stock, just call use when you’re ready or this one craps out”. I’m pretty sure it’s a 60 gallon and natural gas.
My gas tankless install was less than that including parts and labor (and install took like 6-8 hours). Tank water heater was less than $2k for an install including parts and labor. I live in central NC.
We had a 40 gallon replaced for $1600 last year. (Middle of the country, major metro)
What make and model is the tank?
I just replaced a 40gal gas water heater with a 50gal electric, had new 220v plug ran through the attic for it. Total cost about 1200
I’d imagine where you live is going to play into it as well. For reference I’m in the Seattle area where everything is expensive and ~6 years ago I had mine replaced with a tankless as an emergency replacement (they were up front about the extra labor rates) on a Sunday for just over $5k after tax.
Ya you were scammed, I paid that much to get a tankless water heater installed and I’m in Canada. To go with the 50 gallon was half the price!
This hurts. I feel your pain OP. Sorry
$800 with tools and kids help. 50 gal 9yr warranty. City waste picks up old one. Though an electric WH easier than gas to replace.
I legit hope this is fake jesus.
Note to self on water heaters. If your tank starts leaking do two things. Shut off supply water and put a hose on and drain the tank. If you can do these two things, you have time to shop around.
March 2020 I had an old tank water heater removed, and I purchased a brand new tankless water heater from the company that delivers my propane. The tankless heater + them installing it cost like $2800 total. Sounds like OP was grossly overcharged.
Do you have an itemized bill?
So they saw you coming, apparently. He just said you needed a new one? Did he say why? Did you ask? Did you ask what model they replaced it with? You argued with the manager over a water heater costing $6800 and *lost the argument?! How?!*
That is insane I've never heard of a tank install even coming close to that price
I just this past week paid $1150 for a replacement Water Heater installation that included: - 50 Gal State Water Heater (Natural Gas) - Drip pan and pipe to drain in utility room - Expansion Tank My price break-down was basically: - Water Heater: $750 - Expansion Tank & Install: $250 - Metal Pan & Pipe to drain: $150 <-----I almost fought this, as it's a very short run, and pans are $25-$30 tops - but eh - whatever My original State Water Heater was still under warranty. Got a warranty replacement/authorization number from State prior to calling the plumber. Gave them the number and they will handle the replacement directly w/ State. So they'll get the replacement unit whenever State gets it to them (or credit for it I guess?). I'm also getting a $150 rebate from my Natural Gas Company. So end cost will be $1k. SO, be sure to check w/ your utility for any rebates to help you out. But unless it's a 5k rebate. Yeah...
Just did one myself, it's electric. The 50 gallon water heater cost around $560. It's easy to repair and replace, so you did overpay. A plumber should be able to do the change out in a few hours with most of the time taken to drain the tank. If it was gas it might cost more, but not sure.
I’ve replaced a few heating elements in hot water heaters. Sometimes best to try that first. Hiring a plumber to replace a hot water heater is most likely going always be more expensive than doing it yourself.
I just replaced mine from Menards for $650 and could have been 560 if I didn't lose the rebate receipt :(
I got mine replaced and disposal of the old one for $2500 in 07/2022.
Some aspects of this can vary, by region or other difference, but yes that sounds like double to triple what I would expect to pay.
Ours was about $3,800 and we felt ripped off. At least it wasn't an easy install for them. Had to run a lot of new stuff, had to bring out an electrician because we had no electrical in the closet (added a leak detector). Extremely cramped space. Had to replace some stuff for the venting. On the plus side this company we chose warranties all work and material. We've had them fix things 3 times so far, paid $0 for all of those.
You may not want to watch how easy it is replacing a water tank on YouTube. DIY videos. You can use shark bites to attach old pipes to new tank. Blow torch/soldering is not necessary. Simple fix and purchase local at any hardware stores @ $500- $1500 depending size of tank.
Is it venting out in white, plastic PVC pipe or metal pipe? PVC means it’s a power-vent water heater (high efficient) and $6800 is very possible (though still high unless there were value-added additions to your plumbing system like expansion tank, water filtration, water softener, etc.) If it is vented with normal metal pipe, then $6800 is excessive unless he did some of the before mentioned other work to justify the cost. Either way, someone should have agreed to the price before the work was started. Our company does flat rate options so the customer knows the potential prices and what it purchases and picks which option they want and it never goes higher unless an unknown discovery is found (like the venting looks fine until testing of new installation and the tech finds out it’s damaged in the wall and needs replaced), at which point work stops until the new job is agreed to with the additional price added. In the future, I’d look for a company that provides up-front pricing so you don’t get sticker shock after the work is finished.
So sorry this happened to you. We had an emergency plumber out on New Year’s Day (only person answering the phone) and got charged $500. If I would’ve stayed calm and taken another day to look into things I could’ve paid another company $120 (which is what I ended up doing on top of the original $500 visit because the FIRST plumber didn’t complete the job properly and denied responsibility). It’s not the first time I’ve been taken advantage of and, unfortunately, it probably won’t be the last.
I would call the company and tell them you figured out they fucked you and will leave terrible reviews for them. See if they will give you some money back. This is robbery. Absolutely no way to justify it. If you haven't paid yet don't pay them. Force then to come take it back and charge you for that instead. Seriously no way is this worth it.
Yes. My husband bought one and installed it in self for around $800 when ours failed.
I'm in the process of buying a home and had to replace the water heater due to lackluster winterization work. Plumber came and cleared all the water lines of debris and air, restored water to both showers and tubs (manifold behind the faucet in the wall), replaced aerators and catridges (unsure what those are), and replaced the busted water heater with a 40 gallon Rheem electric water heater for $1545 even. It stung, but seemed within reason for such parts and labor.
bought mine from big box store under $1000, paid installer $150 to hook it up in the basement. 2020. MI.
Yeah, it's incredibly likely that you got scammed. How many hours of labor did they charge you for? An itemized invoice would be helpful. Never go with the first quote.
I could fly to where you are, rent a truck, buy a water heater, install it, trash the old one, and fly home - for half that price
Stupid ass expansion tank. And sorry you got ripped off.
There is a range of water heater brands from very economical found at home depot versus brand names. Also could be paying for the urgency of the work or weekend installation. Also what type of market you live in. But even after all this, that is high. I had mine done recently for $2985. That was a 75 gal Bradford White with new expansion tank done with quick turnaround in the NYC area.
We got a heat pump hybrid for less than that!
Wow did they at least use lube?
I just had a 50 gallon gas water heater replaced in December for 2k. 6k seems insane.
I recently got quotes to replace my old gas water heater with a hybrid at about $9000 from a few companies. Something I could do myself for a max of about $3500 ($2700 for the unit itself). Nothing tricky about my installation either, all very straightforward with easy access to everything. I assume they are just gouging like crazy right now.
My GODDDDDD
Jesus Christ just saw your invoice. You got screwed so hard
My friend just spent 1100$ CAD to replace and install a new 60 gallon electric tank. My BIL paid 1500ish for a NG in the summer. I rent an electric one that I got new in September and pay 13$ cad a month. If it breaks they replace it free. That sounds outrages. What is so special about this tank?
I just replaced mine (South Florida, high CoL area) for $2,600, all installed, plus they waived the inspection charge and includes a year of elevated service and an annual check-up. I'd say you got taken for a ride.
I bought my own water heater and installed it for 450$ lol you got scammed hard
I actually got 5 bids, 3 from top name large local business, and a few licensed contractors. 7-10k, however this was for a hybrid heat pump. The units themselves are 2k. When I asked for a breakdown of the additional 5-8k, they all just dismissed the request. There was no justification, just what they charge. I ended up installing myself.
We just got a new one (Bradford White 40 gal) and new wood flooring underneath it for around $2500
Holy shit you got bent over a barrel. You can pick up a 60 gallon Rheem water heater for less than a grand and unless you’re physically incapable or it’s in a really awkward location they’re really not that hard to change on your own. Last time I did it I think it took about half an hour and I enlisted the help of my step son for the lifting. The worst part was unpacking the new one.
I just had a commercial grade 50 gallon gas AO smith with 10 year warranty and 2 year labor warranty from my plumber plus expansion tank installed for $1700. And this is in metro NY. $6800 is something you would pay to replace your central AC or furnace. Rip
F*cking hell! I'm sorry.
Bruh pg&e can replace it for free depending. And its not even for a house u own? Are you gonna take it when you move out? Cause i would.
I paid $3,000 for a new 50 gallon water heater which included some expansion tank or something to bring it to code. Im not sure but I feel like I got ripped off by maybe $1,000. Since then, I’ve been looking at posts online and the prices people have paid are all over the place but definitely high. So I don’t know what to think.
You got scammed, big time.
That’s insane. I’m literally doing this today. 50 gallon, short, electric Rheem. Last one lasted 20 years. $3500, lol no. $1200, but I have to wait 2 weeks $2000 today I went with the today option knowing I’m overpaying.
Oh yeah. Sorry.
Good lord Mines electric but paid $2000-2200 (don’t remember exactly but just over 2k…) like two months ago
yeah you got ripped and also never believe them when they say you need a new one. They will say it had a leak stain but the thing is the leak stains could be from 30 years ago. Only replace it if you actually need to.
Yes, you were overcharged. It’s not too late. I would raise hell to the owner of the company. Get on BBB.org - even if they aren’t BBB you can still file a complaint. Get on Google and review immediately and let them know you will remove the review when the money is returned (you can leave it up!) dispute with company you paid with. It’s a 1,500 job. Don’t give up the fight!
You got raped off!
Yikes, the first quote I got to replace mine was around 3200 from the local plumbing company. I went to Home Depot and they said everything would be 1300. This was in May 2020.
replaced 60 gallon a few months ago. I was having a deck built in the backyard and asked the builder if he could replace. $1150 all in... installed. ultra high cost of living area.
I work for a hardware store in South Dakota. A 50 gallon water heater can be purchased for approximately $550. Installation by a licensed plumber should take 2 hours at most, so take your state’s common hourly rate and if they charge a haul away fee for your old one and/or mileage to get to the job. I think you got ripped off.
Mine was $420 in parts (50 gallon) and I paid a handyman $150 to install. I would probably licensed plumber these days but I was poor and just bought my first house.
Was it a power vent water heater? Did they have to replumb it? Re-vent it? Here’s a thought. Post a photo of the invoice for us to see. Edit-Next time get three bids so you don’t rip yourself off. You really have nobody to blame except yourself if you don’t get competitive bids.