Plumbers have lost their minds with current install prices. $2500+ for a unit in an open garage. Literally a 2 hour job. Going back to doing them myself.

Whats the best brand for a house I plan to keep forever?

FIL got a pair of Bradford Whites installed by a professional so I bought one from Ferguson and installed it myself. Recommend it for a no frills pro-grade unit.

Edit: I bought this one and paid $460 out the door almost two years ago exactly so prices have definitely gone up a lot.
https://www.ferguson.com/product/bradford-white-fvir-defender-safety-system-50-gal-tall-40-mbh-residential-natural-gas-water-heater-brg250t6n/_/R-5058965

Bradford or Rheem.

Just installed my a Rheem at our cabin and the pressure release valve was bad and leaking. Called Rheem. Said they could ship me another one after a plumber made sure I didn't have high water pressure. Ha! Had to buy a new valve on my own, installed it and all was good. Hopefully that's the end of it.

That's wild. I can almost have a new tankless installed for that in Houston. Sounds like CS is in need of some more plumbers.

CS78 said:

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Plumbers have lost their minds with current install prices. $2500+ for a unit in an open garage. Literally a 2 hour job. Going back to doing them myself.

Whats the best brand for a house I plan to keep forever?

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Bradford White is what I have (40 gallon, gas heat), was replaced in the last 2-3 years. Looking at pricing, Bradford White water heaters range in price from $750 to $1,500, depending on size, etc. AO Smith is another reputable brand. Probably need to know specs on quoted job before commenting on price as quoted, though.

Dill-Ag13 said:

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FIL got a pair of Bradford Whites installed by a professional so I bought one from Ferguson and installed it myself. Recommend it for a no frills pro-grade unit.

Edit: I bought this one and paid $460 out the door almost two years ago exactly so prices have definitely gone up a lot.
https://www.ferguson.com/product/bradford-white-fvir-defender-safety-system-50-gal-tall-40-mbh-residential-natural-gas-water-heater-brg250t6n/_/R-5058965

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Thanks. Ended up going with this one. Seems they have a pretty good reputation.

Rinnai

Rheem

Yea I was just quoted over $2,300 today which shocked me. They said I could buy my own and they would install it for $900 which is just nuts for a 2 hour job. Mine is in the attic but it's a walk in attic with zero issues getting in and out.

hunterjr81 said:

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Yea I was just quoted over $2,300 today which shocked me. They said I could buy my own and they would install it for $900 which is just nuts for a 2 hour job. Mine is in the attic but it's a walk in attic with zero issues getting in and out.

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It's not $900 for the trouble. It's $900 to take them off another job where they're gonna make $900 or more. Plumbing is high! Thanks to everyone having to go to college and no one learning a trade.

And what water heater costs $1400? Can get one for under $700 easy.

Edit to say I wasn't yelling at you, just talking out loud.

Wayyyy late thread bump incase anyone is in the market for a water heater in '24. Just had a Bradford White 40 gallon gas units installed for $1,800 in Houston. Unit was in a second floor attic, very happy with the work!

I've got two Bradford White units in my attic. Both Over 15 years old. Was thinking to proactively change them out or go tankless. Any idea the cost to divert to a tankless water heater?

Biggest cost is usually if your gas lines need to be resized to support the higher load.

One unit or two?