I was ultimately presented with an $1,800 quote to replace a 40 gallon electric water heater, which included installing a new mounting pad and earthquake straps.

Be broke and payment- strapped with a deflating worth while 'looking good', or...  

.- Mat

Mat, First determine what you want out of this business.

I have not personally used the BURRR strategy since I am a buy and hold investor, but I've seen the strategy explained as a viable way for someone with little or no money of their own (cash-strapped) to start investing.

However, without our second income, with a 2.5 year old and one on the way we are financially strapped. 

Mat..the "stigma" you speak about is called "collusion" in other industries.

The discharge drain needs to be secured with a strap so that it doesn't kick out of the hole.Steel braided hoses for hook up tend to be better than the black rubber ones.

Ryan,If you can fix your moisture problem with the above mentioned sealants, I think your best bet is to patch the spall in the bottom face of the slab with concrete and then provide some sort of strapping system (steel/carbon fiber) in the short direction of the porch on either side of it.  

They would be silly to lower their tax income by doing that.Our municipalities are already strapped because they didn't have budgeted in for fuel cost to rise this past year by 50%.