How We Get Our Numbers
Where the price ranges on this site come from, what they can and cannot tell you, and how to turn a national range into a local expectation.
The sources
Most price ranges on this site come from published US cost databases that aggregate real project costs reported by homeowners and contractors. The ones we use most:
| Source | What it is | How we use it |
|---|---|---|
| Angi (formerly Angie's List, includes HomeAdvisor data) | Project cost reports from its contractor marketplace | Primary range for most services |
| HomeGuide | Cost guides built from quotes on its platform | Second source, often more granular by size |
| Forbes Home, Fixr, Thumbtack, Bob Vila | Editorial cost guides | Cross-checks |
| Manufacturer price lists and documentation | Unit prices, specifications, serial number formats | Unit costs, decoders |
| US Department of Energy, EIA, Census | Energy prices, efficiency, housing data | Running costs, context |
Each page lists the sources it used, with the date the source was last updated at the time we checked it.
What a national range means
A range like "$800 to $2,500 for a 50-gallon tank replacement" covers most jobs across the country. It does not mean any price inside the range is fair for your job, and it does not mean a price outside the range is wrong. It means: if your quote is inside, the contractor is not unusual; if it is outside, ask why. Often there is a good reason, such as a code upgrade or difficult access.
Why our ranges are sometimes wider than other sites'
Because we keep the low and high from the underlying sources instead of trimming them to make a page look precise. A wide range is honest about how much prices vary.
Turning a national range into a local expectation
- Labor rates. Plumbers, electricians and roofers in the Northeast and on the West Coast charge more than in the Midwest and South. Our calculators let you choose a labor market, and we apply the adjustment only to labor, not to the unit price, because a water heater costs about the same at a supply house in Ohio as in California.
- Permits. Permit fees are set by your city or county. Angi's $25 to $300 range for a water heater permit is typical, but check your local building department's fee schedule.
- Code requirements. Some areas require an expansion tank, seismic strapping, a drain pan or a specific vent type. These add real cost and a good quote lists them.
- Emergency timing. A same-day replacement of a leaking tank costs more than a planned one. That premium is real and not a scam, but it is a reason to replace an old heater before it fails.
What we do not do
We do not collect quotes from contractors ourselves, we do not have a database of local prices, and we do not know what your specific job should cost. We give you the published national picture, show our work, and help you ask the right questions.