Water heaters break down in time, and they become unsafe to operate. If your Lowe’s water heater shows signs of aging, maybe it’s about time you think of a replacement. How much does Lowe’s water heater installation cost?
The basic installation cost of a Lowe’s water heater is $325. That is on top of the $40 estimate fee that you will be charged with. You should also set aside money for any additional piping that they might require.
It is advised that you have the water heater installed by a qualified plumber. The installation of this equipment needs the expertise of an experienced professional. So, if you don’t have the know-how and the required tools, better give the job to a professional. Lowe’s will even back their installation with a warranty.
Read on to learn more about the cost of water heater installation at Lowe’s, others charging for this job, the requirements, and other information connected to this topic.
Lowe’s Water Heater Installation Cost
If you ask Lowe’s to install the water heater you bought from them, you will be charged $325 for the basic installation fee. Before installing the equipment, they have to survey your home to check the conditions and see where they could rightfully install it. Moreover, Lowe’s will ask you to pay $40 as an inspection fee.
If you decide to have Lowe’s deliver the water heater to your home, you will be charged an additional $75 delivery fee. Also, remember that there will be additional piping to complete the installation of the heater. So, you should also allocate some funds for this.
You may feel the urge to do the installation yourself. However, if you are not an experienced handyman specializing in water heater installation, we do not recommend it. The recommendation is for you to have the heater installed by a qualified plumber.
Here is the actual breakdown of Lowe’s installation cost:
Basic installation – $275 ($325 for power vent)
Delivery – $75
New white piping (if former have black piping) – about $200 according to Lowe’s sales rep
Disposal – $50
Why Choose Lowe’s Installation Service
Water heaters are not like common refrigerators that you plug into an outlet and let them run by themselves. There are other factors to consider before allowing Lowe’s to install your heater.
Certified Independent Plumbers
Only a certified plumber, preferably with ample experience, can do a proper water heater installation.
Lowe’s is using independent installers to install the water heaters that their customers buy from their stores. Perhaps they can also install other brands of water heaters if you ask them.
Before they use an independent installer, Lowe’s will first conduct a background check on them. And then Lowe’s ensures them to protect their customers. A one-year labor warranty fully backs all water heater installations at Lowe’s.
Type of Heater
These independent installers can assist you in whatever type of water heater you want to be installed in your home. There are many types of water heaters. Some have traditional water tanks, while others are tankless. Lowe’s offers tankless water heaters and installations at selected markets.
There are electric water heaters, gas water heaters, and tankless gas water heaters. Whatever type of heater or tank you want to install, it will need certain accessories. This is where the independent installers can help. They will ensure that they can complete the project, and your heater will run smoothly.
Installation Cost
If you are concerned about the high installation cost of a water heater, don’t be. Tankless water heaters and tankless propane water heaters can be installed lower than the cost that you are anticipating. That may also be true with traditional water heaters.
Admittedly, the cost of installing a water heater will go up if you will use the services of a professional. Do you really need a plumber to install it? In most jurisdictions in the United States, it is required that whoever installs a water heater should be a licensed master plumber.
Other contractors can do the job, but they are still considered professionals, such as licensed gas fitters and licensed mechanical contractors. You should hire professionals to ensure that they did a job well done.
Installation Charges of Other Companies
You can also choose installers other than Lowe’s to install your water heater. If you would search your local neighborhood, you may find a professional plumber to do the job. Just be sure that he knows his way around water heaters:
Neighborhood Plumber
The average price that they may charge you for the installation is probably $250. It is good to shop around for plumbing services that specialize in this kind of job. You may be able to save from $100 to $150 if you do this.
Home Depot
You can also ask the service personnel at Home Depot to do the job. This store also sells water heaters, tanks, and modern tankless units. They have electric and gas water heaters. Based on the type of water heater you will choose, the installation cost at Home Depot can range from $1,000 to $3,000.
If your project is to replace your old water heater, the following is the probable water heater replacement and installation costs at Home Depot:
National Average – $933
Minimum Cost – $400
Maximum Cost – $5,000
Average Cost Range – $650 to $1,611
For a 40 to 50 gallon tank, the installation cost can range from $400 to $900. For a tankless water heater of the same capacity, the cost range can be from $1.470 to $2,510. Also, most plumbers may charge from $250 to $500 to remove the old water heater and dispose of it legally.
For a traditional centralized water heater, the average installation cost is around $650, and for a centralized tankless water heater, it is about $1,950. A centralized water heater means it can supply heated water for the whole house.
Your choice of water heater may impact your first cost, which may seem high if it is tankless or low if it is the traditional type. However, over the period of 5 years, your cost will average out. You will find that you will be paying about the same amount after five years.
Water Heater Installation Costs at Different Locations
The initial cost of installing a water heater considerably affects the decision of most homeowners. However, there are still other elements that they need to consider before they make their final buying decision.
These other things include the number of people who will use the water heater, the water heater’s operating expenses, and the renovation in the home required to accommodate the water heater. The cost of removing or disposing of the old water heater also factors in the decision.
In that regard, the average cost of the project will approximately be:
$650 for a 40 to 50-gallon tank standard water heater fully installed.
$1,950 for the same tank capacity tankless water heater completely installed.
The above figures are the average costs. Following is a table that shows the water heater installation costs in different locations in the United States.
State or City
Average Cost Range
Atlanta
$775 – $1,350
Austin
$850 – $1,650
Chicago
$750 – $1,250
Dallas
$950 – $1,675
Denver
$985 – $1,900
Houston
$950 – $1,600
Los Angeles
$950 – $1,750
Massachusetts
$940 – $1,700
Minneapolis
$715 – $1,300
New Jersey
$975 – $1,500
San Diego
$935 – $1,600
San Francisco
$1,050 – $1,850
Seattle
$1,050 – $1,700
Probable Cost of Labor When Installing a Water Heater
The average cost of a water heater is around $400. To install it, you will have to pay the installers an amount that ranges between $250 and $500, depending on the installation process’s complexities.
For a brand new tankless water heater that costs around $1,000, the expected labor cost will range between $450 and $1,200. The actual labor costs will again depend on how easy or complicated the installation process will be.
Additional Cost for Accessories and Enhancements
Other costs may come depending on the condition of your existing installation. If you have an outdated piping system, you cannot avoid additional expenses. You may have to replace old or broken plumbing or ductwork.
The additional expenses could include the following:
Retrofitting
Replacement of Old Plumbing
The cost can range from $8 to $10 per foot.
Replacement of Old Ductwork
This will cost you about $200 to $500.
Inclusion of Electrical Breakers
Plumbers can also do this job at a cost that can be as low as $250.
Removal of Old Units
On average, most plumbers will do this job at a cost ranging from $250 to $500. They will remove the old water heater and dispose of it in the right manner.
Permits
Installation and removal of water heaters need permits from the government. Fees related to this can range from $200 to $400, depending on the location.
Warranty
Although the cost of a warranty is not specified in a sales contract, it is still a cost that you have to pay before you are allowed to use the equipment. Most equipment manufacturers have embedded their warranty costs in the price of their equipment. You don’t see it in the invoice specifically, but it is there. What you see is the number of years the equipment is warrantied.
Manufacturers have assigned a monetary value for each year. For standard water heaters, there is usually a 6- to 12-year warranty on the parts. With tankless water heaters, it is typically twice as long and could be more than 15 years in some cases.
Cheapest Water Heater to Install
If you want the cheapest water to install, go for the electric storage water heater. This heater type does not have a gas line that will have to be laid down and installed from the gas provider to your house. That means less installation expense.
Electric wires from the grid are always available. It will be effortless to connect your electric water heater to the grid. Besides, you don’t need to provide ventilation to the unit because it is not required for electric water heaters. All of these mean you can have a water heater in your home without paying high installation costs.
Lowe’s Water Heater Installation Process
If you want to get Lowe’s water heater plus installation service, here’s what you need to do to have one unit installed in your house:
1. Contact Lowe’s
Visit Lowe’s official website. They will ask you to supply information about your requirements. There is an online form on this website that you need to fill up. Lowe’s is also willing to assist its customers if they have an emergency need. For immediate assistance, you can dial 1-877-GO-LOWES.
2. Wait for Lowe’s Return Call
You will receive a return call from Lowe’s. They will ask you for more information about your water heater requirements so that they can properly give you a quote for their installation services.
3. House Inspection
If you want, you can request Lowe’s to inspect your house before they give you a quote. This will require you to pay a $40 inspection fee.
4. Sign the Contract
After receiving the quote or after inspection and agree with their quote, they will ask you to sign a contract. And lastly, they might ask you for a down payment.
5. Installation Starts
They will schedule the day of installation. On that day, a professional installer will deliver the water heater and install it. They will also haul away your old water heater when they have finished installing the new one.
Conclusion: Lowe’s Water Heater Installation Cost
The basic water heater installation cost at Lowe’s is $325. There is an estimated fee of $40 that is usually added on top of this basic installation cost. Typically, there will be additional piping required to complete the installation. You should also allocate some funds for this expense.
Again, if you want Lowe’s to do water installation for you, here’s what you should do:
Contact Lowe’s
Wait for Lowe’s Return Call
House Inspection
Sign the Contract
Installation Starts
For your reference, here’s a table showing the water heater installation cost across the state:
State or City
Average Cost Range
Atlanta
$775 – $1,350
Austin
$850 – $1,650
Chicago
$750 – $1,250
Dallas
$950 – $1,675
Denver
$985 – $1,900
Houston
$950 – $1,600
Los Angeles
$950 – $1,750
Massachusetts
$940 – $1,700
Minneapolis
$715 – $1,300
New Jersey
$975 – $1,500
San Diego
$935 – $1,600
San Francisco
$1,050 – $1,850
Seattle
$1,050 – $1,700
There you go; in case you don’t opt for Lowe’s, I suggest you choose a professional to do water heater installation for you. This way, you’re that it’s done right.
