How Much Does a Water Heater Cost (When Professionally Installed)

In this video, I break down the true costs to buy a 40 gallon water heater and have it professionally installed. You'll see how the parts, labor, and overhead all contribute to the overall cost. These costs only apply to San Diego California, which is more expensive.

We start with the water heater itself. Then we show you all the parts that must be purchased with the water heater to make it function. It's more than you think! Here are all the parts you need to plan on buying as part of your package:
-Water heater itself
-Flux
-Solder
-Insulation for the hot lines
-Galvanized sediment trap
-Copper adapter fittings
-Copper tee
-Other fittings
-Ball valve
-Gas supply line
-Water heater pan
-Expansion tank holder
-Stainless steel supply lines
-Vent pipe
-Expansion Tank

[howie]

Installed a water heater for a co worker. She Paid $816.00 for a Bradford White 40 gallon. That came with two feed lines, gas line with ball valve and a strap. Took me an hour to drain the old one and the install new one. I hauled off the old one too. She paid me $150.00 in labor.. Easy money.

[ScubaCat]

I really appreciate you taking the time to break this down. I wasn't aware of all the components involved and now it makes a lot more sense. I did the Rheem self install option but I think your price is fair for what you offer.

[philvie]

Just replaced my gas water heater with a 50 gallon Bradford White, 6 year warranty, new expansion tank, sediment trap, gas line, copper and straps, and a new drain pan for $1750 out the door, hauled away old heater, I'm just north of San Diego in Riverside, now I don't feel so bad

[EternallyThankful-ospz]

Just left your water heater vid with the Rheem / Home Depot / "warranty" disaster...COMPLETELY understand your switching to Bradford White. I did the same thing about 3 years ago due to the same problems. I found after about a decade of solid Rheem-mostly installations in residential settings - that there was literally ZERO DIFFERENCE in the leaks-under-warranty time frame between the Performance model from the box store and the Professional model from my contractor-only wholesaler !?!? It was MUCH easier to replace the Pro model from my wholesaler vs the hassle of the Performance model from the box store...BUT...I firmly believe there is ZERO difference in the tank "quality" based on my experience that WAY TOO MANY of BOTH types spring leaks under the 6 year warranty !?!? Others may have had better luck, but this was just my experience...and I've noticed better results with Bradford White in the leak under warranty category so far.

[BraveHelios]

Great video!

Not sure if you have run into this... I have a gas water heater and as of recent, it seems that the first use of the day (usually a shower), the water maxes out at a luke-warm temperature. Once that shower is over, the next use of the water heater is another shower around an hour later. For that use/shower, the water comes out much warmer.

The thermostat on the heater is set to the main setting (large mark on the t-stat knob). We had the accumulator tank replaced recently (sits on top of the water heater tank) and they also drained the 50 gallon water heater tank at the same time. The water heater itself is around 15 years old. No water conditioner is installed. I do not know if this an issue before the repair since we were not living in the home at that time but I am pretty sure that since the repair was made, this is how the water heater seems to be working now. Any thoughts, tips? Thanks!

[BrokeBackBob]

Only the rich can afford anything anymore and these prices are ridiculous

[theguy]

Ok...but what about costs of an ELECTRIC water heater installation? And what is the warranty of the B-W branded contractor grade electric water heater and the labor warranty of the install?

[kkp]

3:24 that's a nasty leak on that bradford white

[abegtz]

You say your profit is just under $200. If that were true, you would be out of business in a few months. Nice try.

[mts]

Does he actually give a total price?? Talk about being out of touch with what your customers really want to know...