So, my water heater died. It's covered under warranty, but just got a quote from plumber and cost to bring up to code will be pretty expensive. Waiting on quote...

Any other options here? I am not a good enough DIY guy to do it myself (i.e. copper lines/gas/etc), but don't want to be taken to the woodshed.

OK...first plumber said $1500. Called another and he said no problem for $300...we'll go with $300 plumber.

I'd install it up to code. Otherwise, it will be problem when you go to sell the house.

I had to do this in Houston when I bought my house.

Other guy is going to get it to code...he just doesn't come in a button down shirt and brand new truck which brings a $1500 price tag.

When I go to sell my house the new buyers can choke on whatever code the house is at. It's a 30+ year old house so the house is not going to be built to 2011 code. Yes, if it's replaced it needs to be done right, but no one is selling houses built 30 years ago to code. The inspector will note it, they will ask me to bring it to code, and I will decide then what I want to do. Why did you bring yours up to code unless there was some other larger issue (i.e. water heater in attic with no drain to avoid huge issue if/when it floods)?

[This message has been edited by TXAGFAN (edited 6/28/2011 2:31p).]

I had to replace the water heater because it was leaking heavily. But, it was also not on its own breaker and Home Depot would not even unload the new WH without fixing this.

That's because Home Depot has large deep pockets to reach into if anyhing goes wrong. Billy Bob plumbing could give a rats a$$ if the heater was on its own breaker.

Make sure he installs a drain pan and that the TPR drain still goes downhill and he uses dielectric nipples or unions. Otherwise you shouldn't have to update much.

Where is it located? $300 sounds too low as the units cost more than that for a decent one. $1500 sounds way high, unless it is in the attic - then it is just a bit high.

Its "free" for the water heater and was under warranty. That's why 1500 was just insane. In all likelihood I expect will end up around 400, but 1500 is just crazy.

Oh, I missed that. Yeah 1500 is stupid. What exactly did they say they meed to do to "bring it up to code?" If they did not say, you should ask.

I would expect $200 - $300, maybe a little more if they have to do a lot. But there is only so much they can change.

[This message has been edited by Absolute (edited 6/29/2011 5:55p).]