Planned Installs: Remodels, Upgrades and Moves
Most installs we schedule are one of four things. A homeowner is upgrading an aging heater before it fails, a remodel changes where the heater sits, a family needs more capacity or a home is changing fuel type. Each starts with the same questions about space, venting and supply.
If your heater has already failed, skip to emergency water heater replacement, which is built for urgent calls. This page is for planning ahead.
From Quote to Finished Install
- 1
Measure and discuss
The plumber checks the space, the vent path, gas or electric supply and any code issues.
- 2
Approve the price
You get a clear price before work starts, with the unit and parts spelled out.
- 3
Permit
The city permit is pulled for a new or replacement unit.
- 4
Install and test
The heater is set, connected, filled and tested for leaks and temperature.
Tank, Tankless or Heat Pump: A Simple Comparison
| Type | Strength | Watch for |
|---|---|---|
| Conventional tank | Simple, familiar, usually the lowest upfront cost | Stored hot water can run out |
| Tankless | Hot water as needed, smaller footprint | Needs correct gas line size, venting and regular flushing |
| Heat pump (hybrid) | Lower electric use per gallon in the right space | Needs room and airflow, and a drain for condensate |
Planning an Install?
Call to schedule a visit. The 24/7 line also takes planned jobs, and the price is clear before work starts.
Items a Proper Install Includes
A code-compliant install is more than the heater. It includes a temperature and pressure relief valve with a discharge pipe, shutoff valves, a way to drain the unit and correct venting for gas units. Where the plumbing is a closed system, an expansion tank may be needed to absorb pressure from heated water.
The Illinois Plumbing Code, published as 77 Illinois Administrative Code 890, sets the minimum standard, and municipal plumbing inspectors check work against it. We install to that code and tell you what is required on your job.
Rolling Meadows Permit and Inspection Notes
The City of Rolling Meadows requires a permit for a new or replacement water heater, according to its FAQ, and the permit is issued by Community Development, which wants the contractor's license and bond on file. Plan the permit into your schedule, since an inspection may follow.
The city's plumbing guidance also states that single-wall vent pipe needs six inches of clearance, B-vent needs one inch and concealed plumbing must be reachable through an access panel. We build those into the plan so the installation passes the first time.
Where to Put the New Heater
Many Rolling Meadows homes from the 1950s through the 1970s have the heater in a utility closet or basement corner with limited clearance. A larger or tankless unit may not fit the old footprint, so measurements matter before you buy.
If you are remodeling, tell us before the walls close. Moving a heater later costs far more than planning it now, and the same visit can handle related work. See plumbing installation for fixtures and lines that often go with it.
What Affects the Price
The price depends on the unit and what the space needs, so we quote after seeing the setup.
Some utility rebates exist for efficient models, but we do not quote amounts. Check with your utility. Want your real number? Call (847) 281-8626.
Sources and Local Rules Behind This Page
Plumbing work in Illinois is governed by the Illinois Plumbing Code, 77 Ill. Adm. Code 890, which municipal inspectors enforce, and the Illinois Department of Public Health licenses plumbers. The permit and vent clearance notes here come from the City of Rolling Meadows plumbing FAQ, according to which a new or replacement water heater needs a permit.
We name these sources so you can check them yourself. Rules and phone numbers change, so confirm with the city office or the state before you rely on any detail for a permit or a purchase.
Common Questions
As soon as you decide. Same-day appointments are offered when available, and a planned slot lets you choose the unit instead of rushing.
Yes. The City of Rolling Meadows requires a permit for a new or replacement water heater, and we handle that step.
It depends on whether your plumbing is a closed system, which a plumber can check. We tell you what your setup requires.
Ask dispatch. Warranty and code compliance depend on the unit and the installation, and we explain the options before you commit.
Repair fixes a failed part, water heater repair covers that. Replacement swaps a failed unit urgently. Installation is the planned version of the same job.
Still not sure what you are dealing with? Call (847) 281-8626 and describe it to our dispatcher.