HELP ME! Water Heater Install

[Tiffany S.]

I have a very old water heater that has started to leak. I figured I might as well just replace it as opposed to fixing it since its so old. I was wondering what was a good labor price? Is this a DIY job? It's gas so I am a little hesitant to try. I also came across a thread that said it was against code now to have the water heater near a dryer now...is this true? Where can I find these codes? Do I need a permit?

Any recommendations for companies in Hampton Roads that can do this? The home is in Portsmouth. I got some hits from handy men on Craigslist but I am not sure if this is a job for a random craigslist handyman. Plus the last time I had some work done from a CL person, something went wrong and I could not contact them...I prefer to go with someone I can hold accountable for this job. Their labor prices ranged from 100-500. What have you guys paid in this area ( Norfolk, Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, etc)?

[Johann Jells]

Does anyone know why in the NE plumbers insist on gas and water being hardpiped right to water heaters and boilers,   while on the earthquake coast easier to use and change flexible piping is actually required? I'd love to have flexy used, but the plumbers just sneer. I had units with flexible gas lines and they replaced it with hard pipe. I don't think it's a code thing. Flexi would take out 3/4 of the work in replacing a gas water heater.