For $540, I'll come to your place anywhere in the USA (continental only) and install your water heater. Shouldn't take more than one hour, even if new fittings are involved. $150 absolute max.
I'm not so sure there is much profit in doing it for $150, at least not here in NJ. I think a lot of people underestimate the overhead and costs of running a business. Car service places are charging around $100 an hour for labor now. And putting in a WH, taking the old one away involves travel time and a truck too. Two guys, a truck, etc, I would be charging more than $150, certainly here in NJ. And if it were NYC, forget about it. Drive across a bridge or tunnel and it's $10 to $13. Park the truck, $30. A permit is required here too. Who pays for that? Run into a problem, it could take extra time. Then whatever profit you have left, the govt takes 30 to 50% of that.
Ditto what nate just wrote. Some jurisdictions require permits and/or licensed plumbers/installers especially for gas water heaters where there is a risk of gas leaks, fire, explosion, hot water/steam danger, etc. My town will permit a DIY installation, but requires inspection aftward. If someone from the town notices a water tank on the tree lawn, they'll check to make sure a permit was pulled.
More specifically, how many homes explode yearly from natural gas where it was caused by a WH installation that was incorrectly done by a homeowner, versus how many homes explode yearly from nat gas where the work was done incorrectly by a pro, where the install was done correctly, etc?
I'm betting the number attributed to HO's is small. There aren't that many nat gas explosions in houses to begin with. I can't recall one where the cause was determined to be an incorrect installation by the HO. And then let's look at the total number of deaths each year and compare it to other sources, like smoking in bed, leaving a stove burner turned on, slipping in the shower, drowning in a pool, etc.
HomeOwnersHub website is not affiliated with any of the manufacturers or service providers discussed here.
All logos and trade names are the property of their respective owners.