Water heater repair and replacement in Houston

No agency publishes Houston-only prices. These are national figures from HomeGuide's 2026 water heater guide, before rebates or tax incentives:

HomeAdvisor's June 2026 guide gives a narrower replacement range of $882 to $1,826 and says labor alone typically runs $150 to $450 for a tank unit and $600 to $1,900 for a tankless unit. Converting a home from electric to gas, or adding venting or a new circuit, adds to the bill; HomeGuide puts an electric-to-gas conversion at $400 to $2,000 or more.

HomeGuide puts typical tank lifespans at 8 to 12 years, up to 15 with good maintenance, and tankless units at 15 to 20 years. As a rough guide:

• Repair is usually sensible for a failed thermostat, heating element, igniter, gas valve or a leaking drain valve on a tank that is still well within its lifespan.
• Replacement is usually sensible when the tank itself leaks, the water is rusty from inside the tank, or the unit is near the end of its expected life and needs an expensive part.
• Tankless or heat pump? A tankless unit costs more up front but lasts longer, according to HomeGuide's lifespan figures. ENERGY STAR says heat pump water heaters should go in interior spaces that stay between 40 and 90 degrees year-round with about 1,000 cubic feet of air around them, and that in hot, humid weather they can help cool and dehumidify the space they are in.

• Water pooling around the base of the tank, or a wet pan under an attic unit.
• Rusty or discolored hot water, or a metallic smell.
• Rumbling or popping from sediment, and hot water that runs out faster than it used to.
• A pilot that keeps going out, or scorch marks near the burner on a gas unit.
• A gas smell. Leave on foot. CenterPoint Energy tells Greater Houston customers to call its gas leak line at 713-659-2111 and 911 once they are safe, and never to try to find or fix a gas leak themselves.

Yes. The Houston Permitting Center says a plumbing permit is required for the replacement and installation of water heaters, and that the permit must be obtained by a master plumber registered with the City of Houston. The listed fee is $34.24 for the first three heaters and $11.41 for each one after that, plus a $33.56 admin fee, with a minimum permit fee of $97.56; the same page also mentions a $91.05 minimum, so confirm the current amount. Plan review is not needed for a single-family residence, an inspection is required, and the permit is valid for 180 days.

If the job adds or moves a gas line, a separate gas permit applies, also pulled by a registered master plumber. A homeowner doing their own work in their homestead can instead use the city's Homeowner's Plumbing Permit, which requires an inspection.

If a quote does not mention the permit, ask about it, and get in writing who will pull it and schedule the inspection.

• The make, model, capacity and fuel type of the new unit, and its warranty.
• Haul-away of the old unit, the permit, and any expansion tank, drain pan, venting or gas line changes.
• The plumber's name and Texas license number and the company's Responsible Master Plumber. Check both in the Texas plumbing license search.
• A payment schedule. The Texas Attorney General says a partial advance payment is normal, but advises not paying in full until the work is finished and you have inspected it.

We do not sell or install water heaters. If you want help reading a quote, email it through our contact page, and see our Houston plumber cost guide for other jobs.