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What a new tank water heater costs in Santa Cruz County, installed. The permit, the inspection and hauling away your old tank are included. You get a firm written price before we start, and that is the price you pay.
Installed prices for replacing an existing tank water heater, gas or electric, anywhere we serve in Santa Cruz County.
| Tank size | Starting price | Maximum price |
|---|---|---|
| 40 gallon | $2,600 | $3,500 |
| 50 gallon | $2,900 | $3,700 |
| 75 gallon | $3,200 | $4,300 |
| 100 gallon | $4,600 | $12,000 |
Most homes land toward the lower end of the range. Where yours falls depends on where the tank sits and what the installation needs to pass inspection. Those are explained below.
Included in every price: the city or county permit, the final inspection, and haul-away of your old tank. You approve a firm written price before any work starts.
If your current tank has kept up with your household, the same size is usually right. If you have been running out of hot water, step up one size.
One or two people, or a small home with one bathroom.
Cottages, condos, ADUsThree to four people, or a home with two bathrooms. The right fit for most single-family homes in Santa Cruz, Capitola, Aptos and Scotts Valley.
Most commonLarger households, homes with a soaking tub, or families who shower back to back in the morning.
Big householdsLarge homes, multi-unit properties, short-term rentals, and light commercial use such as small restaurants or salons.
Large and commercialWant hot water that never runs out and a unit that frees up floor space? A tankless water heater is another option, and we can price both side by side.
Two homes can need the same 50-gallon tank and still get different prices. Most of the difference comes from what the installation needs to meet today's code. Older Santa Cruz homes often have setups that passed in their day but not now.
A tank in a garage is the simplest job. Attics, crawlspaces, closets and tight utility rooms take more time and labor.
Biggest factorAny of the numbered items above that are missing or out of date get added so the job passes inspection.
Common in older homesA new gas shutoff, gas line changes, or electrical updates add to the cost.
SometimesWhy 100 gallon runs up to $12,000. A 100-gallon water heater can mean very different equipment. At the low end is a residential-grade tank in an easy-to-reach spot. At the high end are commercial-grade, high-input gas units and power-vent models, often with new venting, larger gas lines or a hard location. We price these after seeing the site, because the right equipment depends on how much hot water the building actually uses.
Under the California Plumbing Code, the City of Santa Cruz requires a permit and a final inspection for every water heater installation and replacement, including like-for-like swaps. The same is true across the county. What changes is which building department issues it.
We pull the permit with the right department and schedule the inspection. It is already in our price. A permitted, inspected installation protects you when you sell your home, keeps the manufacturer warranty valid, and confirms the gas, venting and pressure relief are safe.
If you are replacing a gas water heater, a heat pump water heater is worth a look. It uses far less energy than a standard electric tank, and Central Coast Community Energy (3CE) rebates have helped Santa Cruz County customers cover the upfront cost. Rebate programs change, so we confirm what is available when we quote your job.
One 2026 change: the federal Section 25C tax credit for heat pump water heaters ended on December 31, 2025. Systems installed in 2026 do not qualify. If a quote is priced "after the federal tax credit," that credit is no longer available.
A tankless water heater heats water as you use it, so it does not run out, and it mounts on a wall instead of taking up floor space. It costs more up front than a tank. Ask us to price tank and tankless side by side.
Most tank water heaters last 8 to 12 years. Replacement usually makes more sense than repair when you see any of these:
If your tank is leaking now: turn off the cold water valve on the pipe at the top of the tank, then call us at (831) 777-5758. Not sure it needs replacing? See water heater repair in Santa Cruz.
Lords of Plumbing charges $2,600 to $3,500 for a 40-gallon tank, $2,900 to $3,700 for a 50-gallon, $3,200 to $4,300 for a 75-gallon, and $4,600 to $12,000 for a 100-gallon, installed. Most homes land toward the lower end of the range.
The new tank water heater, installation, the city or county permit, the final inspection, and haul-away of your old tank. You approve a firm written price before any work starts.
Yes. The City of Santa Cruz requires a permit and final inspection for every water heater installation and replacement under the California Plumbing Code, and so do Capitola, Scotts Valley, Watsonville and unincorporated Santa Cruz County. We pull the permit and schedule the inspection, and it is included in our price.
Usually because of where the tank sits (attic, crawlspace or tight closet) or because the installation needs code updates to pass inspection, such as seismic straps, an expansion tank, a new relief valve discharge line, a drain pan, a gas sediment trap or new venting.
A 100-gallon unit can be a residential tank in an easy spot or a commercial-grade, high-input gas or power-vent unit that needs new venting, a larger gas line or work in a difficult location. We price these after seeing the site.
No. The federal Section 25C tax credit for heat pump water heaters ended on December 31, 2025, so systems installed in 2026 do not qualify. Local rebates through Central Coast Community Energy (3CE) may still apply, and we confirm what is available when we quote your job.
Not if the tank itself is leaking. Turn off the cold water valve on the pipe at the top of the tank and call (831) 777-5758. Leaks from a valve or fitting can sometimes be repaired.
40 gallons for one or two people, 50 gallons for three to four people or a two-bathroom home, 75 gallons for larger households, and 100 gallons for large homes, multi-unit properties and light commercial use. If your current tank keeps up, the same size is usually right.
Call our Santa Cruz shop for a firm written price on your replacement. Serving Santa Cruz, Capitola, Aptos, Soquel, Scotts Valley, Live Oak and Watsonville.
Lords of Plumbing serves Santa Cruz County from our Potrero Street shop — Santa Cruz, Capitola, Aptos, Soquel, Live Oak, Scotts Valley, and the surrounding coast. Licensed and insured. CSLB #914119.
303 Potrero St, Bldg 42 #104, Santa Cruz, CA 95060 | (831) 777-5758
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