How Much Does a Water Heater Repair Cost?

Acquiring a brand new water heater isn’t cheap, so is the cost of maintaining or repairing it. But what if one day the heater breaks down after years of service and the repairs cost more than having it entirely replaced? Let’s take a look at some numbers.

A nationwide research by the home improvement site ImproveNet.com put the average cost of water heater repairs from $237 to $513, with the mean being $437. The maximum cost peaked at $1,000 while the minimum recorded a meager $52. Most of the time, the final cost of repairs depend on the appliance’s type, the scope of its problem, and whether additional repairs are needed to get it up and running again.

Water heaters commonly require repairs due to corrosion or long wear, which results in malfunctioning of the heating elements. Other problems include thermostat issues, dirty or faulty pilot lights, broken thermocouples, or frazzled electrical wiring, all of which require replacement parts which significantly add up to the repair bill).

Most contractors also include additional expenses on top of labor and the replacement parts. These expenses include local material or equipment delivery costs to and from the job site, the preparation of the worksite, and job cleanup. Be sure to tackle every single billed item on the cost estimate with your contractor to ensure that you’re being charged fairly.