Originally posted by rbeckey
Plumbing blows! Water heater was 20 years old and wasn't really heating very well. The plumber wanted to charge me a 50% premium on the heater and $200.00 to install. I guess it beats paying that much.
Maybe.
Wow! 20 years out of a water heater. Thats amazingly rare nowadays. Only 2 of you in the house, eh? Low useage means longer life normally.
(climbing up on soapbox)
50% mark-up on heater & $200 to install.
Sounds reasonable as the 50% mark-up would normally include doing the gas line piping as needed, changing the shut-off valve if needed, and proper venting. $200 to install is on the cheaper side of normal. (assuming a 4 hour labor charge)
It used to be that WH's could be had for $130-$150 for 40 Gal NG (slightly more for LP), and a standard change-out price of $350-$400 covered installation & parts, and removal of old tank from premises. Permit not included extra.
Recently, our federal government decided to enact laws to protect ourselves from our own stupidity (well, mainly the really dumb people who store gas cans on the floor next to the WH!!!)
by requiring manufacturers to redesign the WH so that they will not allow the ignition of flammable vapors from the pilot light.
This is accomplished by a plastic "screen" looking like a tiny lint trap attached to the bottom air-intake with a liteweight rubber "flapper" to let air in only, preventing the flame from shooting out and igniting any vapors in the area.
The combustion chamber is now sealed, has a little push-button to spark-lite the pilot when the lint trap gets plugged with dust-bunnies (how clean is your basement?).
All this "safety" for a cost increase. Now a standard 40 Gal NG heater runs $200 wholesale ($250 for 50Gal).
Add $50 for shutoff valve, safety relief valve, copper pipe and fittings, rigid black iron pipe gas fittings & valve (if needed), and whatever is needed to properly vent.
Oh yeah, the old tanks that used a 3" vent now require a 4" vent when using the newer design.
Double that and you get $500 to changeout a water heater by a professional.
(climbing down from soapbox)
CTimm
Licensed Master Plumber