It is...

Do it yourself. Completely drain the old one. Residual water is heavy and messy. Electric water heater especially in the garage is easy to replace. A second person would be helpful to remove and replace the units.

Before buying a new water heater, open the drain valve on the old one and make sure the water will drain out. If not, you will be removing a very heavy water heater.

Heat pump based units.
 

Not common, but if you have a heat pump based hot water heater, a licensed person must drain the refrigerant or add it to a new one. Pretty much forces you to get the whole job done by a professional.

:1rotfl::1rotfl::1rotfl::1rotfl::1rotfl::1rotfl:

3K seems expensive to me!

Wow. Mike Scott Plumbing will do all of those things for $910, based on a 40 gallon tank. To upgrade to a 50 gallon, it would still be less than $1000.

I got a YoLink water detection system. I have sensors under the sinks, toilets, fridge, dishwater, and the hot water heater. I also installed an automatic water shut off so that when the system detects a water leak, it shuts the water off to the whole house. Everything, except the water shut off, can be installed by yourself. Even then the water shut is simple plumbing. Go to YoSmart.com to see how it works. I am not associated with them and get no money from them. Just a very satisfied customer.

10 years ago I replaced my water heater. The biggest challenge was the disposal of the old one. Bulk trash pickup would not take it. They said the contractor is supposed to dispose of the old one I told them it was DIY. Anyway I had to find a scrap metal person to come and get it.
A few years later when it was time to sell that house the agent pulled the permits and there was no permit for the water heater therefore the conclusion was it was an original water heater. I told her the date of the water heater installation and she updated her information on the listing. It ended up being no problem at all that it was a DIY without a permit.

You can install whatever you want inside your home.

you dont need a permit if replacing it

That is apparently no longer an issue. Bulk pickup took my old water heater from a DIY replacement about 2 years ago for the normal $10.

just an example of how cheap FL labor can be, as the cost of living and supply of labor is completely different, plumbers in MA are much scarcer. . The copper is no longer sweated together, all plumbing connections are now compression fit. much safer, and much easier. .

Just had Mike Scott plumbing replace my 10 year old electric water heater with their base 6 year warranty tank- it’s the same tank I had- for the quoted price of $910. Three guys came in two trucks and replaced the tank in about an hour. They were great- efficient and all worked together. Got a new expansion tank and pop off valve included in price. No permit needed. They took old tank away too. I recommend them highly.

no inspection or permit needed as long as its your house and you are doing the work