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The average cost to install a new water heater is around $1,300, but you can expect to pay between $875 and $1,750, depending on the kind of water heater, the size of the unit, and the professional chosen to complete the work. Tankless water heaters can push your price higher, as installation is more complicated, with prices as high as $3,500. The location and accessibility of your water heater will play a role in the project cost, as those sitting in tight spaces like a crawl space will drive up your labor costs.

Yes, most states require plumbers to be licensed, and for good reason. Hiring an unlicensed plumber could lead to poor quality work, costly future expenses, and potential code violations. 

As you browse our pro listings, take note of the “Angi Approved” badge. Angi Approved businesses meet our standards for certification which include: 

• The owner, principal, or relevant manager passed a criminal background check

• Required to have applicable state and local licenses

• Maintain an average star rating of 3.0 or better on our network, if they have at least one review

• Paying to advertise their services

• Meeting any other eligibility criteria required by Angi

Keep in mind licensing is different from certifications. A license is a legal requirement to operate a business, while certifications are voluntary.

It usually takes a professional water heater installer between two and three hours to remove an existing water heater and install a new tank heater. However, it could take four to five hours if they have to work in a small utility closet or another tight area, like a crawl space. Tankless water heaters have a more complicated installation process, so they will take a bit longer. Additionally, a gas water heater requires a connection to a gas line, and that alone can add about an hour to the installation timeline compared to installing an electric water heater.

It is very difficult and dangerous to install your own water heater, so we strongly recommend against tackling this as a DIY project. Not only will you need to wire your water heater, but you’ll also need to connect plumbing to the intake and outlet. Sweating copper pipes and connecting wiring properly are skills most DIYers don’t have, and even if you do feel confident you can do it, working with water and electricity always leaves the potential for electrocution. Hiring a local water heater installer is well worth the investment.

The average cost to hire a plumber is around $100 an hour but can vary between $45 and $200 an hour depending on the plumber’s experience and the repair that you need. It’s also important to note that these prices can go up on holidays, and emergency plumber rates average $150 per hour, in addition to a flat-rate trip fee of $100 to $350.