Direct vent hot water heater

Climberman

Climberman

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My hot water heater is dying. Any of y'all know how to change out a direct vent gas hot water heater? Mine is a 50 gal in the garage.

I got quoted $1550 out the door for the new heater and installation, tax etc.
 
Cost me about $800 to do it myself 2 years ago. Does that price include any code upgrades? If so it's not terrible.
 
It's a pretty simple straight swap. Get a pro for the gas line and you're GTG.
 
She said it was ok, and made me a sammich while I worked, so sort of.
 
Shouldn't have to permit if it's a straight up replacement
 
That's hard to read - Is the permit required even for DIY on your own property? Not that I really care... I just don't want to miss an opportunity to say "effum"
 
concepthomes1 said:
You really have to read the whole brochure...It's pretty petty and silly in my personal opinion.
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I'd put money on the number of water heaters sold at Lowes HD etc, is waaaay higher than the number of permits pulled for installation. I'd also bet that very, very few plumbers pull a permit to do a DHW replacement. How many cabinet installers pull one? Ditto for replacing dishwashers, stoves, subfloor repair. Just sayin'. The number of jobsites I've been on where no permit was pulled would blow your mind and that's not to say the work done was shoddy or substandard in any way. Technically, you have to pull a permit to put even one of those cheap erector set storage sheds on your property, that's in the pdf as well. Add to that the number of DIYers who do projects on weekends to spiffy up their abodes and the number would be staggering. If the building dept were to crack down on the amount of items sold at a big box by requiring a permit to be pulled along with purchase, you'd see some serious corporate bux start hammering on local gvt for over reach. Petty, darn right it is.
 
I'm so glad I don't have to deal with the Commisar of the Peoples Building Dept of Mecklenburg.
 
Dave951 said:
I'm so glad I don't have to deal with the Commisar of the Peoples Building Dept of Mecklenburg.
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He's actually a nice guy. They like to pretend they're helping.
 
Catfish said:
He's actually a nice guy. They like to pretend they're helping.
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I had one inspector up here in Forsyth that was pretty cool, and yes, what I was doing on that deck absolutely required a permit. Deck was timber framed with 6x6 and 4x6 and roof deck was 5/4x6. The kid in the dept had no clue about what I was doing and thankfully this guy was in the next cube and took my project. His comments on inspection- "it'll be here when the house is gone" and "have to move the handrail up on the stairs". I put it where the lady of house wanted it because she's short like just over 5'. Inspector says, put it where it has to be by code while I'm here. What happens after I turn the corner at the end of the block isn't my concern. :D
 
So $5000 is the limit. $5000 for flooring, $5000 for cabinets, etc.

No way I would reach that limit doing one job at a time.

Permit schmermit. I also shoot down drones and drive in the left lane
 
concepthomes1 said:
I'm on board 100% with the majority opinion; that is my personal standpoint.

However, if I'm speaking from a professional standpoint, I would say "Mecklenburg County and the City of Charlotte have put in place common-sense guidelines to protect current and future homeowners regarding certain DIY projects in your home. The Homeowner Permitting Process ensures that all work is completed in accordance with any applicable building code; these guidelines also protect you should the time come when you sell your home."
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Part of the issue is that many homeowners have watched way too much HGTV and think they know how to do the work because it was on Utube. Regardless, when a property is sold, that's what a home inspection is for.
 
I can neither confirm nor deny that mine was changed out by myself and another member here.

@Climberman I have the number for a guy that'll swap it out for $100 if you buy the heater and connectors. He did a buddy of mine's, and I was going to use him until I saw how seemingly straightforward it was.

ETA: nevermind...I thought you were in Charlotte. :oops:
 
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I know a guy who replaced his a few weeks ago.. he went tankless, and added a expansion tank. likely 1200 in materials so 1500 isn't too bad. depending on the size unit you get
 
Never buy a hot water heater. They are a scam. Get yourself one of them plain ole water heaters. No need to heat hot water. :cool:
 
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