How much does it cost (avg) to fully replace a water heater?

[Peter K.]

Ball park numbers: how much does it cost to fully replace a water heater with labor? Just want to see if my quotes are not too high (i know it varies by places).

[Marcus Auerbach]

Wherever you buy your waterheater (or anything else) be aware that cheap and smart are not the same. There is so much flimsy chunk for sale, it's terrible. 

Experience teaches you quickly to stay away from cheap materials. Amateurs buy cheap stuff. Professionals look for commercial grade whenever possible. Amateurs don't consider the long term implications, service life of an item or uptime. Amateurs look at cost, professionals look at value. That does not mean to buy the most expensive item, but to understand that the cheapest sticker price may cost you more over time.

Do yourself a favor and look for quality. Some items will cost 20% more and last 100% longer. Not only does that save you money on the item, but also installation/labor, and better "uptime" makes for a happier tenant, lower overhead and less headache.

Want an example? One of my first properties got equipped with the cheapest plastic shut off valves. Contractor announced proudly that he saved me $5 per valve, we had 7 in the home, for a total of $35 in "savings". Last year I attempted to turn off the water supply to the dishwasher and crushed the valve with my bare hand, flooded the still new kitchen, damaged the subfloor, $2000 in repairs. So glad I saved $35 on the plastic shut off valve!

To answer the question. My plumber replaces water heaters for about $950. The $200 he charges me for labor include getting the new one from the supply house, bringining it to the property, install of the unit and haul away/disposal of the old one. Could I do it in an afternoon and "save" some labor cost? Probably, but I can think of much better ways to invest my time!