After paying $1,650 to replace a blown water heater at a rental property, a landlord took to Reddit's r/AskAPlumber forum to ask whether the emergency charge was unreasonable or simply what this kind of repair costs now.

Here's what to know

The discussion started in a Reddit thread where the landlord said a water heater in one of his rentals had "completely blow[n] up" and had to be replaced right away.

Because the tenant said the home included "an at risk child," he agreed to let her bring in a plumber from her church instead of waiting the two days for his usual general contractor to arrive.

After the job, the landlord wrote, "The cost to replace the water heater-1650 for a 40 gallon electric. Is it me or is that an absurd price? … I've been in construction for 10 years and have never been charged that much for this."

In his view, the number seemed high because the tank itself cost about $450, and he said his regular contractor could finish the work faster.

The responses mostly defended the charge. The top comment read, "$1,660 is fair, especially for a prompt after hours type call." Another commenter wrote, "job got done promptly. that has a price tag," while another described the bill as "Cheap as hell!"

One commenter noted that the landlord should "Reconsider your financial habits if spending a little bit extra for prompt after hours work on an essential service (that you're responsible for providing) hurts your pockets… Take a step back and take some personal inventory. You might not have what it takes to be a landlord."

Several other replies said the total reflects more than just the tank and installation time, citing emergency timing, insurance, labor, warranty coverage, and general business overhead.

More background

Part of the disconnect, commenters suggested, is that many homeowners compare the retail price of a water heater with a few hours of work, without accounting for vehicles, workers' compensation, insurance, and the cost of being available on short notice.

One commenter put it this way, "That is the cost of doing business in our area and reflected in the price." That same commenter said a similar installation where they live could cost $3,342 before tax once code upgrades and a six-year parts-and-labor warranty were included.

Water heating is one of the larger energy expenses in many homes, meaning replacement decisions can affect not just repair costs but also monthly utility bills and household energy use.

For homeowners, a surprise replacement can also be an opportunity to consider ultra-efficient heat pump water heaters, which typically use far less electricity than standard tank water heaters and can slash utility bills over time.

For people looking at that route, Cala is one company offering this kind of upgrade. In other words, a replacement doesn't have to be only a repair; it can also be a chance to upgrade your appliance and massively lower future bills.

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