Home Depot vs Lowe's Water Heater Installation Cost
Home Depot and Lowe's both install water heaters through networks of licensed plumbing professionals, so a Home Depot water heater quote really comes down to the local installer and your particular job. Neither store's price is something we can quote nationally, so the useful move is to check the store quote against what independent cost publishers say the same job should cost.
For a standard tank swap, that band is $600 to $3,100 installed, per HomeGuide. If the store quote lands inside it with the extras spelled out, it's a fair deal.
What the job should cost
Use these as the range a store quote, or any plumber's quote, should land in:
| Heater type | HomeGuide, installed | Angi, installed | Fixr, installed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard tank | $600 to $3,100 | $600 to $2,500 | $600 to $2,500 |
| Tankless | $1,400 to $5,600 | $1,400 to $3,900 | $1,000 to $4,000 |
| Hybrid heat pump | $2,000 to $4,600 | $1,200 to $3,500 | $1,200 to $4,600 |
By fuel, Angi puts installed electric tanks at $600 to $3,500, natural gas at $700 to $2,700 and propane at $700 to $2,500. For the full breakdown, see water heater replacement cost.
What the heater alone costs
The shelf price is only part of it. HomeGuide prices a standard tank at $400 to $2,100 before installation. By size, before installation:
| Tank size | Unit only |
|---|---|
| 40 gallons | $400 to $2,000 |
| 50 gallons | $500 to $2,100 |
| 75 gallons | $900 to $2,600 |
Tankless units, unit only, run $600 to $1,000 for electric, $1,000 to $2,000 for propane and $1,500 to $2,600 for natural gas, per HomeGuide. That covers the propane and natural gas tankless models both stores stock.
The add-ons to look for
The base install assumes the new heater drops into the old spot with the same fuel, vent and connections. Anything else is extra, whoever does it. Make sure each of these is either on the quote or confirmed as not needed:
- Labor. HomeGuide puts labor for a standard tank swap at $200 to $1,000. Angi's range for replacing a tank unit is $150 to $450.
- Haul-away. $75 to $500 if it isn't included. Ask whether the old tank leaves with the installer.
- Permit. $50 to $200 for the gas or electrical permit. Ask who pulls it.
- Expansion tank. $100 to $400.
- Code fixes. Bringing an old install up to current code adds $75 to $500 or more. Think straps, drain pans, vent connectors and relief valve discharge pipes.
- Venting. Replacing existing vent pipe runs $100 to $600.
- Gas line or electrical. A gas line upgrade costs $350 to $2,000, and a new dedicated circuit $250 to $900. These hit tankless and heat pump jobs most.
If the installer finds one of these on site, get the added price in writing before work starts. A drain pan is cheap at the store, so if your heater sits over a finished floor, buy one with the heater.
Home Depot or Lowe's: how to compare
Get both quotes in writing for the same model size and fuel. Then compare them line by line:
- The exact heater model and capacity.
- Permit, haul-away and expansion tank as separate lines.
- Any venting, gas or electrical work, and why it's needed.
- The labor warranty, separate from the manufacturer's tank warranty.
Which store comes in lower will vary by area and by job. A low quote that leaves out the permit or code items isn't low. It just moves the cost to a change order.
It's also worth one quote from an independent licensed plumber. You can buy the heater at either store and have your own plumber install it, which helps if you already have a plumber you trust.
Heat pump and tankless at big-box stores
Both stores sell hybrid heat pump and tankless heaters, and that's where installs get complicated. A heat pump unit needs room around it and a suitable circuit, and tankless gas units often need a bigger gas line and new venting. Those trades are the expensive lines. Read heat pump installation cost and tankless installation cost before you approve a store quote for either.
Recirculation pumps are sold there too. They're a separate add-on and a separate labor line. See recirculation pumps.
DIY or pay for install
Fixr puts labor at 18% to 50% of the total bill, so doing it yourself is tempting. A like-for-like electric tank swap is a reasonable DIY job for someone comfortable with plumbing and household wiring. Gas is different. A bad gas connection or flue can kill someone, and many areas require a licensed installer and inspection. See how to install a water heater to judge it honestly.
FAQ
How much is a hot water tank at Home Depot?
Shelf prices change, so check the store. As a guide, HomeGuide puts standard tanks at $400 to $2,100 before installation, and a 50-gallon tank at $500 to $2,100. Installed, the same tank usually lands between $600 and $3,100.
Does Home Depot or Lowe's install water heaters?
Yes. HomeGuide notes that both stores offer installation through their networks of licensed plumbing professionals. The quote and the add-ons come from that local installer, so read it closely.
Does the store haul away my old water heater?
Ask before you sign. HomeGuide prices haul-away at $75 to $500 when it isn't included, and Fixr notes many plumbers include it in their estimate.
Is it cheaper to buy the heater and hire my own plumber?
Sometimes. Labor is a big share of the bill, and an independent plumber may price it differently from the store's installer. Get both quotes for the same model and compare the full totals.
Sources
- HomeGuideWater Heater Installation Cost (opens in a new tab)
- AngiHow Much Does Water Heater Installation Cost? (opens in a new tab)
- FixrHow Much Does Water Heater Installation Cost? (opens in a new tab)
- HomeGuideTankless Water Heater Installation Cost (opens in a new tab)