By Brent Applegate, Licensed Master Plumber | Polly Plumbing | License No. RMP-42199 Serving Keller, Southlake, Trophy Club, Roanoke, Flower Mound, Colleyville, North Richland Hills, and all of Tarrant and Denton Counties. Based in Keller, TX.
How Much Does Water Heater Replacement Cost in Keller TX in 2026?
A standard 50-gallon gas water heater replacement in Keller TX costs $2,900 to $3,200 all-in. That price includes the unit, labor, permit, thermal expansion tank, and haul-away of your old unit. Tankless water heater installations start at $10,500. If you got a quote much lower than these numbers, ask the company which items are not included. Most low quotes leave out the permit, the expansion tank, and disposal. Those items always get added back at the end.
Written by Brent Applegate, Licensed Master Plumber at Polly Plumbing in Keller, TX. Brent has installed hundreds of water heaters across Tarrant and Denton Counties and holds Texas Master Plumber License RMP-42199.
What You Will Find in This Guide
This guide covers:
- The real all-in cost for water heater replacement in Keller TX in 2026
- Every line item on a full quote and what each one costs
- Why online price ranges are almost always too low
- How to compare quotes from different plumbers fairly
- Which water heater brands work best in Keller’s hard water
- What Polly Plumbing does from the moment we arrive
- Answers to the most common questions Keller homeowners ask
Why Most Online Price Ranges Are Too Low
When you search online for water heater replacement cost, you will often see numbers like $800 to $1,500. Those numbers are usually just the unit cost. Sometimes they include basic labor. They almost never include four things that every homeowner in Keller TX will have to pay for.
1. The Permit Most cities in this area require a permit to replace a water heater. That includes Keller, Southlake, Trophy Club, Roanoke, Flower Mound, Colleyville, and North Richland Hills. The permit costs $50 to $100. A plumber who skips the permit puts you at risk with your homeowner’s insurance and your city’s code office. If you ever sell your home, unpermitted work can cause big problems at closing.
2. The Thermal Expansion Tank Every city in the Keller and Tarrant County area requires a thermal expansion tank on every new water heater installation. This is not optional. It is required to pass inspection. A quote that does not include it will add it when the plumber shows up.
3. Haul-Away and Disposal A 50-gallon gas water heater weighs 130 to 140 pounds when drained. Most homeowners cannot take it themselves. Some companies charge $50 to $100 for disposal. Polly Plumbing does it for free on every job.
4. Code-Required Upgrades Your city may require small upgrades to bring your installation up to current code. This could include a new T-P valve, a sediment trap, new flex connectors, or a venting upgrade. These items add $50 to $250 depending on what is needed.
When you add all four of these to a low quote, that $1,500 quote can quickly become $2,800 to $3,200. Knowing this before you call around helps you compare quotes fairly.
A Real Example From a Keller Homeowner
Marcus called us on a Wednesday morning. His 12-year-old water heater had started leaking from the bottom overnight. He had already called two other plumbers. One quoted $3,680. The other quoted $1,776.
Brent arrived, looked at the unit, and gave Marcus a written quote before touching anything. Our quote was $3,124.
Marcus asked why the quotes were so different. Brent went through every line item. Unit. Labor. Permit and inspection. Thermal expansion tank. Haul-away and disposal. T-P valve replacement to current code.
Brent told Marcus to call the other companies back and ask which of those items was included. Marcus did. The $1,776 quote included only the unit and basic labor. The expansion tank, permit, haul-away, and valve upgrade were listed as “additional items determined at time of service.”
Marcus called Brent back in 10 minutes. “Let’s do it.”
The installation was done by 2pm. The invoice matched the quote exactly.
That is the whole point of this article. The complete price is not hard to give. It just takes a plumber who is willing to give it upfront.
3 Things to Know Before You Call Anyone
These three things will help you get better quotes and compare them fairly.
1. Know Your Unit’s Fuel Type and Size Is your water heater gas or electric? How many gallons is it? Both pieces of information are on the data plate on the side of your unit. A 50-gallon natural gas unit is the most common size in Keller and Tarrant County. Knowing this lets a plumber give you a quote without a site visit.
2. Check for an Expansion Tank Look at the pipe going into the top of your current water heater. The cold water pipe goes in at the top. If there is a small round or football-shaped tank (usually 2 to 4 gallons) attached to that pipe, you already have an expansion tank. If you do not see one, budget for it. It is a required part of every new installation in this area.
3. Know If You Are Replacing or Upgrading Swapping a 50-gallon gas unit for another 50-gallon gas unit is simple. Switching from tank to tankless, from electric to gas, or going to a bigger unit adds cost. Those changes may need gas line work, electrical work, or other changes. Knowing which situation you are in helps you spot quotes that are missing work.
Full Cost Breakdown: Every Line Item in Keller TX 2026
Line Item 1: The Unit
The water heater itself is the biggest cost on most jobs.
| Brand | Unit Type | Price Range |
|---|---|---|
| Bradford White or Rheem | Standard 50-gal gas, mid-tier | $600 to $850 |
| A.O. Smith ProLine | Standard 50-gal gas, mid-tier | $500 to $750 |
| Power-vent or direct-vent | Specialty gas configurations | $700 to $1,100 |
| High-efficiency condensing | .90 EF or better | $900 to $1,400 |
Polly Plumbing keeps Bradford White and Rheem units on the truck for standard jobs in Tarrant County. For most in-stock units, same-day installation is available.
Line Item 2: Labor
Labor covers disconnecting the old unit, connecting the new unit to your existing gas and water lines, testing for leaks, and lighting the pilot.
- Standard swap in a garage or utility room: $525 to $675 per hour
- Non-standard access, second-floor, tight closet, or pipe rerouting: $595 to $725 per hour
Most standard jobs take 2 to 3 hours. Non-standard jobs may take 3 to 4 hours.
Line Item 3: Permit and Inspection
Required in Keller, Southlake, Trophy Club, Roanoke, Colleyville, North Richland Hills, Flower Mound, and most other Tarrant and Denton County cities: $50 to $100 depending on the city.
The permit triggers a city inspection, usually within 1 to 3 business days. Polly Plumbing pulls the permit and schedules the inspection for you. You do not need to manage it yourself.
Line Item 4: Thermal Expansion Tank
Required by code in this area on every new installation: $150 to $250 installed.
If your current expansion tank is less than 5 years old and the right size for the new unit, it may not need replacing. Brent checks this during every installation assessment. If it can stay, it stays.
Line Item 5: Haul-Away and Disposal
Other companies often charge $50 to $100 for this. Polly Plumbing does it for free on every job. It is included in our standard quote.
Line Item 6: Code-Required Upgrades
These vary by installation age and condition:
| Upgrade | Cost |
|---|---|
| T-P valve upgrade | $50 to $125 |
| Sediment trap (if not present) | $50 to $100 |
| Flex connector replacement | $75 to $125 |
| Venting upgrade | $100 to $400 |
Total Installed Cost Ranges for Keller TX 2026
| Scenario | All-In Cost | What Is Included |
|---|---|---|
| Standard 50-gal gas, straightforward swap | $2,900 to $3,200 | Unit, labor, permit, expansion tank, haul-away |
| 50-gal gas, hard access or code upgrades needed | $3,200 to $3,600 | Above plus access or upgrade items |
| 50-gal electric, standard swap | $2,800 to $3,100 | Unit, labor, permit, expansion tank, haul-away |
| Whole-home gas tankless, standard gas line | $10,500 to $13,000 | Unit, labor, permit, code items |
| Whole-home gas tankless, gas line upgrade needed | $11,000 to $15,000 | Above plus gas line upgrade |
These are real all-in numbers. If a quote you get is much lower, ask which items are not included.
Should You Go Tankless? The Honest Answer for Keller Homeowners
Many homeowners ask this question when their old tank unit fails. Here is a plain answer.
Stick with a tank unit if:
- You need the job done today and your budget is under $5,000
- You are replacing in kind and your gas line is already sized for a tank unit
- Your household uses hot water at normal times and is not running multiple showers at once
Consider going tankless if:
- Your household has 4 or more people with heavy hot water use at the same time
- You plan to stay in your home for 10 or more years
- You want lower monthly energy bills and are okay with a higher upfront cost
- Your gas line can already handle the higher BTU load that tankless units require (Brent checks this during the estimate)
Tank units in Keller last 8 to 12 years. A good tankless unit can last 20 years or more. The higher upfront cost for tankless is often recovered in 5 to 8 years through lower energy bills. In Tarrant County’s hard water, proper maintenance matters more on tankless units. Annual descaling keeps them running well.
Polly Plumbing will give you an honest answer for your specific home. We do not push tankless on jobs where it does not make financial sense.
Brand Comparison: What Works Best in Keller’s Hard Water
Tarrant County has hard water. This matters when choosing a water heater. Hard water causes mineral buildup inside tanks and on heating elements. The brands that handle this best are not always the ones you see at the hardware store.
Bradford White: Brent’s First Choice
Bradford White builds their units in the United States rather than outsourcing production. This gives them more consistent quality control. Their anode rods are heavier than what most other brands use. That matters a lot in hard water. A heavier anode rod lasts longer and protects the tank better.
Bradford White units are not sold at big-box stores. You will not find them at Home Depot or Lowes. That is actually a good sign. It means they are built for licensed plumbers who stand behind their work, not for homeowners who are just shopping on price.
Polly Plumbing keeps Bradford White units on the truck.
Rheem: A Strong Second Choice
Rheem is a reliable unit with parts available almost everywhere. If something needs fixing six years after installation, any plumber in any city can get the part quickly. One thing to know in this market: Rheem’s standard anode rod is lighter than Bradford White’s. In Tarrant County hard water, that means annual flushing and on-time anode rod replacement matter more on a Rheem unit than on a Bradford White.
Polly Plumbing also keeps Rheem units on the truck.
A.O. Smith: A Good Efficiency Option
A.O. Smith is similar in quality and parts availability to Rheem. Their ProLine XE series offers better efficiency ratings if you want to reduce your gas bill over time. A solid choice for homeowners who are focused on long-term energy costs.
Big-Box Store Brands (American, Whirlpool, Kenmore)
These units are built to a lower price point for retail sales. Brent will install them if a homeowner buys one and asks. But he will be honest: in Tarrant County’s hard water, these units tend to have a shorter service life than the professional-channel brands above. The anode rods are lighter and the tank materials are not built to the same spec. If you are buying a unit yourself and asking a plumber to install it, ask about this first.
What Happens When Polly Plumbing Arrives
When you call Polly Plumbing for a water heater replacement in Keller, Southlake, Trophy Club, Roanoke, Flower Mound, Colleyville, or anywhere in Tarrant County and Denton County, here is what you can expect:
Before we arrive: You get a text with Brent’s photo so you know who is coming.
When we arrive: Brent walks through the existing installation before quoting anything. He checks the expansion tank, the flex connectors, the T-P valve, the venting setup, the gas valve, and the permit record if it is available.
Before any work starts: Brent gives you a written quote that lists every line item. The number you see before you say yes is the number on the final invoice.
After the job is done: You get a written summary with the brand, model, and serial number of the new unit. You also get the permit number, the inspection schedule, and the warranty information for both the unit and the labor.
A homeowner in North Richland Hills told us after her replacement: Brent was the only plumber she talked to who gave her a complete written quote and answered all her questions before she agreed to anything. The invoice matched the quote to the dollar.
There is no emergency surcharge at Polly Plumbing. We arrive same-day on confirmed failures and charge the same price as a scheduled installation. Call us at (817) 286-3446.
Is It Cheaper to Schedule in Advance or Wait Until It Fails?
The price is the same either way. Polly Plumbing does not charge more for emergency calls.
What changes on an emergency call is unit selection. If your water heater fails today and we have your unit size on the truck, same-day installation is available. If you need a specialty unit or a larger size, there may be a one-day wait.
A homeowner who schedules a replacement before the unit fails gets to pick any unit and any day. A homeowner who waits until it fails gets whatever is in stock on that day.
The cost is the same. The options are better when you plan ahead.
Your water heater is likely due for replacement if it is 10 years or older, if you see rust in the hot water, if the bottom of the unit is wet, or if you are running out of hot water faster than you used to.
How the Total Cost of Ownership Compares Over 10 Years
The purchase price is just one part of the cost. Here is how total cost looks over a 10-year period for a typical Keller homeowner.
Standard 50-gal gas tank (Bradford White):
- Installation all-in: $2,900 to $3,200
- Annual maintenance (flush, anode rod check): $75 to $150 per year
- Estimated energy cost per year in Tarrant County: $250 to $350
- 10-year total estimate: $5,650 to $7,100
Whole-home gas tankless:
- Installation all-in: $10,500 to $13,000
- Annual descaling in hard water: $100 to $200 per year
- Estimated energy cost per year (25 to 35 percent less than tank): $175 to $265
- 10-year total estimate: $13,250 to $16,650
The honest takeaway: On a 10-year window, a tank unit is still cheaper total. On a 15 to 20-year window with proper maintenance, tankless starts to look better on total cost. If you plan to sell your home in the next 5 years, a quality tank replacement is the smarter financial move for most Keller homeowners.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to replace a water heater in Keller TX in 2026?
A standard 50-gallon gas tank water heater replacement in Keller TX costs $2,900 to $3,200 all-in. That price includes the unit, labor, permit, thermal expansion tank, and haul-away. High-efficiency units or non-standard jobs cost $3,200 to $3,600. Tankless installations start at $10,500. If a quote you receive is much lower, ask which line items are not included.
Why is the quote I got online so much lower than what plumbers charge?
Online quote tools and some companies give you just the unit cost plus basic labor. They leave out the permit, expansion tank, haul-away, and any code upgrades. When those items get added back, the real cost in Keller and Tarrant County is typically $2,900 to $3,200 for a standard job.
Does water heater replacement require a permit in Keller TX?
Yes. Keller, Southlake, Trophy Club, Roanoke, Flower Mound, Colleyville, North Richland Hills, and most other Tarrant and Denton County cities require a permit for water heater replacement. The permit triggers a city inspection, usually within 1 to 3 business days. Polly Plumbing pulls the permit and sets up the inspection for you. You have the right to pull your own permit if you prefer.
What is a thermal expansion tank and why do I need one?
A thermal expansion tank is a small round tank attached to the cold water pipe near your water heater. When water heats up in a closed plumbing system, it expands. Without an expansion tank, the expanded water has nowhere to go. Over time, that pressure damages your water heater and your pipes. It is required by code on every new installation in Keller and surrounding cities.
How long does water heater installation take?
A standard 50-gallon gas tank replacement in a Keller garage or utility room takes 2 to 3 hours from arrival to hot water running and full cleanup. Jobs with hard access, code upgrades, or specialty units may take 3 to 4 hours. Same-day installation is available in the Keller area for most in-stock units.
What brand of water heater does Polly Plumbing recommend for Keller TX?
Bradford White is Brent’s first choice for tank installations in Tarrant County hard water. It has heavier anode rods and domestic manufacturing that holds up better over time. Rheem is a strong second choice with great parts availability. A.O. Smith’s ProLine XE is worth looking at if energy efficiency is your main goal. Big-box store brands like Whirlpool and Kenmore are usable but tend to have a shorter service life in this hard water market.
Does Polly Plumbing charge more for emergency water heater replacement?
No. There is no emergency surcharge at Polly Plumbing. We arrive same-day on confirmed failures and charge the same price as a scheduled installation. Call us at (817) 286-3446.
What is the difference between a tank and a tankless water heater?
A tank water heater stores 40 to 80 gallons of hot water and keeps it hot all day. A tankless water heater heats water on demand as you use it. Tank units cost less to install and work well for most households. Tankless units cost more upfront but use less energy and last longer. In Keller’s hard water, both need regular maintenance. Tank units need annual flushing. Tankless units need annual descaling.
Ready to Get a Written Quote?
Call Polly Plumbing at (817) 286-3446. We will give you a complete written quote that includes every line item before any work starts. The number you see before you say yes is the number on the invoice.
We serve Keller, Southlake, Trophy Club, Roanoke, Flower Mound, Colleyville, North Richland Hills, and all of Tarrant County and Denton County.
You can also schedule a water heater replacement online or get a water heater repair if replacement is not yet needed.
Written by Brent Applegate, Licensed Master Plumber, Polly Plumbing. Texas License RMP-42199. Based in Keller, TX. Serving Tarrant and Denton Counties.
Published: May 2026. Last reviewed: May 2026.