Water heater replacement cost in Washington DC
A standard gas water heater runs about $1,525 to $3,450 installed here. Check your own quote against local rates in under a minute.
Check my quoteTypical water heater prices in Washington DC
Installed by a licensed plumber with the permit, basement, standard 6-year warranty. Add-ons like an expansion tank or FloodStop valve change the total, which the checker below accounts for.
Check your quote| Water heater | Normal range |
|---|---|
| Electric tank, 40 to 50 gal | $1,200 to $2,675typical $1,850 |
| Gas tank, 40 to 50 gal | $1,525 to $3,450typical $2,300 |
| Gas tank, 60 to 75 gal | $2,200 to $4,575typical $3,200 |
| Tankless, replacing tankless | $2,100 to $4,350typical $3,075 |
| Hybrid heat pump, 50 to 65 gal | $3,200 to $6,150typical $4,425 |
| Switch tank to tankless gas | $4,000 to $7,600typical $5,550 |
Check your water heater quote
Pick what's being installed and type the total you were quoted. The plate updates as you go.
Type the total price you were quoted to see where it lands.
- Low
- $1,525
- Typical
- $2,300
- High
- $3,450
Striped band is the normal range for a licensed plumber in Washington DC. Black line is typical. Red pin is your quote.
What goes into that range
| Gas tank, 40 to 50 gal, installed with permit | $1,450 to $3,125 |
| Basement stairs carry-down | $75 to $325 |
| Normal range | $1,525 to $3,450 |
Ask before you sign
- Will you pull the permit and schedule the inspection? Nearly every city here requires one.
- What's your license number? I'd like to look it up.
- Is labor covered too, or only the unit? Ask how many years of labor warranty you get.
- Is haul-away of the old heater included?
- Are you replacing the gas connector and checking the vent? Most codes require a new flex connector.
- Is there a floor drain or pan near the heater, so a leak doesn't flood the basement?
- Should I add a FloodStop or auto shutoff valve? It's cheap insurance when the heater sits over or near finished space.
What moves the price
Two quotes for the same heater can be $1,500 apart. These six things explain most of the gap.
Basement or attic install
Carrying tanks down narrow basement stairs adds time. Attic installs add even more.
+$75 to $325
Expansion tank
Needed on many homes with a pressure regulator. Protects the new tank from pressure spikes.
+$175 to $400
After-hours install
Same-day, night and weekend jobs carry a premium for on-call crews.
+$175 to $500
City permit
Required in nearly every Washington DC city. Already built into the ranges here.
Included
FloodStop valve
Shuts off the water if the pan senses a leak. Worth it over finished space.
+$200 to $475
Longer warranty
A 10 to 12 year tank is built heavier than a 6 year tank and priced that way.
+$100 to $700
Get a second quote
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Your job: Gas tank, 40 to 50 gal, basement. Normal range $1,525 to $3,450.
Before you hire
Do I need a permit to replace a water heater in Washington DC?
Yes. DC, Maryland and Virginia jurisdictions all require a permit for water heater replacement, pulled by a licensed plumber or gas fitter. Ask which county or city the permit is filed with.
How do I check a plumber's license?
Ask for their license number and look it up with the agency below. It takes about a minute.
Does a basement install cost more?
A little. Tanks have to come down the stairs, and many older basements need a new vent connector or an expansion tank to meet current code. Attic installs cost more still.
Should I repair or replace?
A leaking tank always means replacement. If the tank is over about 10 years old, replacing usually makes more sense than a big repair. Younger units with a bad thermostat, element or valve are often worth fixing.
Where do these prices come from?
They start from installed-cost data we verified in Dallas-Fort Worth and are adjusted for local labor: plumbers in the Washington DC area earn about 21% more than in Dallas-Fort Worth (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2025). Your plumber's price depends on the exact unit, access and code items found on site.
Who are the plumbers you connect me with?
We're signing up independent, licensed plumbing companies in Washington DC now. When one serves your city, we share your name, number and job details with up to two of them, and never sell your information.