Water heater replacement cost calculator (2026)

How this estimate is built

A water heater replacement is three numbers: the unit, the labor, and the permit. In 2026 a standard 40–50 gallon gas tank is $600–$1,300 at the big-box store; electric tanks run $450–$1,000; whole-house gas tankless units are $1,200–$2,500; heat-pump (hybrid) heaters are $1,700–$3,500 depending on capacity. Plumber labor for a straight swap — same fuel, same location, existing connections reused — is $400–$900 including hauling the old one away. Permits, where required, are $75–$250.

Change the type and labor jumps. A tankless conversion needs a larger gas line, new stainless venting, and sometimes a condensate drain: $1,200–$2,800 in labor is typical. Going to a heat pump from a gas tank means a new 240V circuit and a condensate line, $600–$1,500. Attic, closet, and crawlspace installs add 25–35% for the extra handling. The DIY column shows the unit plus $100–$250 for new supply lines, a pan, an expansion tank if your code requires one, and fittings.

Tank, tankless, or heat pump?

A like-for-like tank swap is the cheapest install and the most expensive to run. Heat-pump heaters cost $1,000–$2,000 more up front but typically use 60–70% less electricity than a resistance tank, and in 2026 federal and utility rebates often cover a large share of the premium — check your utility before you buy. They need a space with some air volume and a drain, and they cool and dehumidify the room they're in, which is a feature in a garage and a problem in a closet. Tankless is right when you're short on space or routinely run out of hot water; the payback on fuel savings alone is slow, and the install is the costly part.

DIY or hire?

An electric tank swap in a garage or basement is a realistic DIY job for someone comfortable with basic plumbing and shutting off a 240V breaker — plan on half a day and the unit cost plus parts. A gas tank swap is DIY-able where code allows it, but you are making a gas connection and reconnecting a vent; if either of those sentences made you hesitate, hire it. Tankless conversions, heat-pump conversions, and anything in an attic are plumber jobs, and the manufacturer's warranty often requires a licensed install. Our repair-or-replace guide covers the decision before this one.

Getting a quote

Ask for the exact model number, the warranty length (6, 9, and 12-year versions of the same tank exist), whether an expansion tank and a drain pan are included, and whether the price covers permit and disposal. Emergency same-day replacement carries a 20–40% premium — if your heater is over 10 years old, getting quotes now while it still works is the single cheapest decision on this page.