Storage tank
$1,600–$2,400Typical cost, including installation
WATER HEATER REPLACEMENT IN BRANDON
Brandon, FL Water Heater
Replacement
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BRANDON AT A GLANCE
Replacing a water heater in Brandon.
Brandon is unincorporated, so your water heater permit comes from Hillsborough County, not a city. It's a $130 plumbing permit filed through HillsGovHub. Tampa Electric supplies power, and Hillsborough County Water Resources supplies water.
Brandon is an unincorporated community in Hillsborough County, so county offices handle permits.
- Permit to replace with the same type
- Yes · Hillsborough County Development Services (Building Services), for unincorporated Hillsborough County
- Permit fee
- The county charges $130 for a residential Plumbing (General) trade permit, with no separate water heater line (schedule effective Oct 5, 2024). State surcharges are added on top, and the whole fee is due when you apply.
- Who gets the permit
- A licensed contractor can get it, or you can as an owner-builder under F.S. 489.103(7). To do that, the home must be in your name and be your main home. You sign an Owner Builder Disclosure Statement and agree not to sell for one year after the work is finished.
- Electric utility
- Tampa Electric (TECO)
- Gas utility
- Peoples Gas
- Water
- Hillsborough County Water Resources. The county runs 11 public water systems, and its online map shows which report covers your address. Some parts of unincorporated Hillsborough get water from the City of Tampa instead.
- Rebate worth checking
- Peoples Gas residential water heating rebates (Active)
- Typical home
- Built 1993 (median) · 56% owner-occupied
- Companies found
- 9 that advertise water heater work
01 / TYPICAL PRICES
What a new water heater costs.
Know before you call.
Heat-pump tank
$2,500–$5,000Typical cost, including installation
Tankless
$2,400–$5,400Typical cost, including installation
AI equipment illustrations; models vary and images are not to scale. Typical national prices from Home Depot ↗, checked September 28, 2026. The source doesn’t say how many jobs the ranges are based on. These are not Brandon averages or guaranteed quotes.
Compare what each quote includes.Equipment · Labor · Permits · Old heater removalHow to compare quotes →
What we know about prices in Brandon
- National installer’s published rangeThe ranges above. Home Depot ↗
- Local permit feeThe county charges $130 for a residential Plumbing (General) trade permit, with no separate water heater line (schedule effective Oct 5, 2024). State surcharges are added on top, and the whole fee is due when you apply.. Hillsborough County Development Services (Building Services), for unincorporated Hillsborough County fee source ↗
- Local company’s advertised price3 of the companies listed for Brandon post water heater prices or specials on their websites: Apex Plumbing, EVERYDAYPLUMBER.com, The Clean Plumbers. Each offer has its own conditions.
- Measured local dataNot collected yet, so no Brandon average is shown.
What can change the price in Brandon?
Gas work and electrical work each need their own residential permit (Gas General, $130; Electrical General, $130). The county pages we read don't cover moving a heater or switching from a tank to tankless.
02 / COMPANIES WE FOUND
Who replaces water heaters in Brandon?
Companies that advertise water heater replacement here, with what their water heater customers say.
Companies we found in our research. They are not Ember & Tank providers or partners. We show selected reviews, not a rating or every review. How we choose reviews →
Apex Plumbing
Lists Brandon among the areas it serves. Based in Clearwater.
- Tank
- Tankless
- Repair
- Emergency service
Published price: Tankless Water Heater Special: "Endless Hot Water As Low As $33/Month" (financing-style offer, terms apply, expires September 30, 2026). No installed prices published.
What the reviews say
Water heater feedback Yelp reviewers praised quick response (one crew arrived within an hour), fair quotes compared with other companies, same-day replacement and clean, efficient work.
Worth knowing One Yelp reviewer (Jun 2022) said a 40-gallon water heater install quoted at $1700 became $2100; the owner replied he could not find the customer's name in his records and invited contact, and another reviewer (2025) said there were issues with an install that a manager then made right.
5 water heater reviews read, checked September 30, 2026.
Benjamin Franklin Plumbing of Tampa
Lists Brandon among the areas it serves. Based in Tampa.
- Tank
- Tankless
- Heat pump
- Repair
- Emergency service
What the reviews say
Water heater feedback Yelp reviewers praised technicians as professional, hardworking and personable, and one described a smooth replacement of an 11-year-old tank.
Worth knowing Several Yelp reviewers said water heater replacement prices were excessive (one cited $4000, another $5670 for a tankless unit with no itemized bill provided after four requests); the company publicly offered a service manager contact in one 2018 case.
4 water heater reviews read, checked September 30, 2026.
Cool Today - Cooling, Plumbing, Electrical (Tampa)
Lists Brandon among the areas it serves. Based in Tampa.
- Tank
- Tankless
- Heat pump
- Repair
- Emergency service
What the reviews say
Water heater feedback BBB reviewers praised quick response to a water heater problem, polite technicians and fast, clean water heater installation.
Worth knowing A Pinellas County customer complained to BBB (2024) that a 2023 water heater install lacked the required permit; after the complaint the company pulled the permit and the customer reported a passed final inspection.
4 water heater reviews read, checked September 30, 2026.
EVERYDAYPLUMBER.com
Lists Brandon among the areas it serves. Based in Tampa.
- Tank
- Tankless
- Heat pump
- Repair
- Emergency service
Published price: Coupon: $100 OFF Water Heater (residential service; cannot be combined; limited-time). No installed prices published.
What the reviews say
Water heater feedback Yelp reviewers praised quick arrival (one within 45 minutes), accommodating evening appointments, tidy technicians and no-pressure water heater replacements.
Worth knowing Yelp reviewers alleged a 2015 technician pushed a $1400 water heater replacement then charged $150 for a temporary pipe boot, a 2019 visit charged about $160 without fixing a no-hot-water issue and a manager didn't call back, and a 2026 reviewer said pricing was only given once the tech was in the home; no company replies to these were visible.
6 water heater reviews read, checked September 30, 2026.
IERNA'S Heating, Cooling & Plumbing
Lists Brandon among the areas it serves. Based in Lutz.
- Tank
- Tankless
- Repair
- Emergency service
What the reviews say
Water heater feedback No water heater-specific praise was found in the sources checked.
Worth knowing A Yelp reviewer (Aug 2025) alleged a water heater installed for a family member had an undrained, improperly routed pressure relief line and that a promised manager callback did not come; an earlier manager reply on the same review promised outreach.
1 water heater review read, checked September 30, 2026.
Performance Air Conditioning, Electric & Plumbing
Lists Brandon among the areas it serves. Based in Clearwater.
- Tank
- Tankless
- Repair
- Emergency service
What the reviews say
Water heater feedback No water heater-specific praise was found in the sources checked.
Worth knowing A BBB reviewer (May 2025) said that after a late arrival and a $240 diagnostic deposit on an $870 quote to install a customer-supplied hot water heater, the company did not return calls to schedule the job; the company apologized and said it had escalated the matter.
1 water heater review read, checked September 30, 2026.
R.J. Kielty Plumbing, Air Conditioning & Electric
Lists Brandon among the areas it serves. Based in New Port Richey.
- Tank
- Tankless
- Heat pump
- Repair
- Emergency service
What the reviews say
Water heater feedback One BBB reviewer said the company responded quickly to install a water heater when theirs broke.
Worth knowing BBB reviewers alleged a hybrid water heater still under a 10-year warranty was replaced at their cost, an element repair failed to fix a heater that needed replacing, a different tank shape was installed than requested, and a short flush cost $300; the company said it refunded $478.62, $105 and $164.11 in three of those cases.
5 water heater reviews read, checked September 30, 2026.
The Clean Plumbers
Lists Brandon among the areas it serves. Based in Tampa.
- Tank
- Tankless
- Heat pump
- Repair
- Emergency service
Published price: Promotions: 5% off any water heater (tank, tankless, hybrid and lifetime); $250 off a water quality (filtration or softener) and water heater combo; waived service call fee for water heater estimates. Restrictions apply.
What the reviews say
Water heater feedback BBB reviewers praised a leaking water heater fixed within hours of an after-hours call and a technician who tested every faucet after installing a new heater.
Worth knowing A BBB complainant (Nov 2024) said a water heater the company installed failed after about three years and the company pushed a costly replacement; the company said its labor warranty is one year and the manufacturer's six years, and the customer disputed its details.
4 water heater reviews read, checked September 30, 2026.
bluefrog Plumbing + Drain of Brandon
Lists Brandon among the areas it serves. Based in Riverview.
- Tank
- Tankless
- Repair
- Emergency service
What the reviews say
We haven’t found reviews that mention this company’s water heater work yet.
Order: companies based in Brandon first, then companies whose water heater reviews we’ve read. Each group is alphabetical. These businesses are not our employees or vetted partners and do not receive requests from Ember & Tank. We haven’t checked their license, insurance or quality of work. DBPR license search (MyFloridaLicense) ↗.
FROM COMPANIES SERVING BRANDON
Photos of water heater jobs from these companies.
HOMES IN BRANDON
What Brandon homes are like.
1993Median year built
23%Built before 1980
56%Owner-occupied
6%Heat with utility gas
62%Single-family homes
The median home was built in 1993. A first or second replacement is common in homes this age.
91% of homes heat with electricity, which usually means an electric water heater. It’s worth getting a price on a heat pump model too.
U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey ACS 2024 5-year ↗ (2020-2024). Heating fuel is what homes use to heat the house. It often, but not always, matches the water heater’s fuel.
LOCAL CONDITIONS
What’s different in Brandon.
Owner-builders can't sell for a year
Getting the permit yourself as an owner-builder means the home must be your main residence, and you agree not to sell it for one year after the job is finished.
Inspection only, no plans
A residential trade permit in Hillsborough covers a single-trade job. There's no plan review, only inspections, and you pay the full fee up front.
Hillsborough County Building Permit Fee Schedule (effective Oct 5, 2024) ↗
ENERGY & WATER
Who supplies Brandon homes.
Energy
- Electric: Tampa Electric (TECO) (TECO serves all of Hillsborough County)
- Gas: Peoples Gas (Natural gas only where lines are in the street; check with the ZIP code tool)
Tampa Electric: Service Area & Reliability ↗ · Peoples Gas: Tampa appliance & sales providers (Hillsborough, Pasco and Pinellas) ↗ · Peoples Gas ZIP Code Check ↗
Water
Hillsborough County Water Resources. The county runs 11 public water systems, and its online map shows which report covers your address. Some parts of unincorporated Hillsborough get water from the City of Tampa instead.
Hillsborough County Water Quality Reports (2025 reports by system) ↗ · Hillsborough County 2025 Water Quality Report, Northwest System ↗ · Hillsborough County 2025 Water Quality Report, South-Central System ↗ · Tampa Water Department 2025 Water Quality Report ↗
REBATES & CREDITS
Rebates for Brandon homes.
For Tampa Electric (TECO) and Peoples Gas customers in Brandon. Ask installers for the price before rebates, then check with the program that you qualify.
- Peoples Gas residential water heating rebates ↗ActiveNatural gas tank water heater: $350 gas-to-gas or $550 electric-to-gas ($400 / $650 for ENERGY STAR tanks).
- Federal Energy Efficient Home Improvement Credit (25C) ↗EndedCovered improvements made through December 31, 2025.
Checked September 30, 2026. Who qualifies and the conditions: Florida rebates · How to check an incentive.
PERMITS & LICENSING
Permits and licenses in Brandon.
Permits and who issues them
In Hillsborough County, only leak repairs, clearing clogs and putting a toilet back can be done without a permit. Replacing a water heater needs a plumbing permit. You don't submit plans; an inspector checks the finished job. Apply on the HillsGovHub portal.
Hillsborough County Development Services (Building Services), for unincorporated Hillsborough County ↗ · Hillsborough County: Permits for Homeowners ↗ · Hillsborough County: Work Exempt from Permits ↗ · Hillsborough County: Building Permit Fees ↗ · Hillsborough County Building Permit Fee Schedule (effective Oct 5, 2024) ↗
Check the installer’s license
Ask for the license number and search it yourself on the DBPR license search (MyFloridaLicense) ↗. A listing on Ember & Tank is not a license check. Florida licensing explained →
NEARBY CITIES
Compare places near Brandon.
| City | Distance | Permit to replace | Fee | Electric |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mango | 4 mi | Required (county) | $130 | Tampa Electric (TECO) |
| Valrico | 4 mi | Required (county) | $130, | Tampa Electric (TECO) |
| Palm River-Clair Mel | 5 mi | Required (county) | $130 | Tampa Electric (TECO) |
| Progress Village | 5 mi | Required (county) | $130 | Tampa Electric (TECO) |
| East Lake-Orient Park | 6 mi | Required (county) | $130 | Tampa Electric (TECO) |
| Thonotosassa | 8 mi | Required (county) | $130 | Tampa Electric (TECO) |
This guide also covers Bloomingdale, which share Brandon’s permit office, utilities, water provider and companies.
COMMON QUESTIONS
Brandon water heater questions.
Does Brandon need a permit to replace a water heater?
Yes. The county's permit-free list only covers leak repairs, clogs and resetting toilets. A water heater replacement needs a residential plumbing permit, filed on HillsGovHub.
Hillsborough County: Work Exempt from Permits ↗ · Hillsborough County: Permits for Homeowners ↗
What's the county fee for a Brandon water heater permit?
$130 for a residential Plumbing (General) permit on the schedule effective Oct 5, 2024. State surcharges are extra.
Hillsborough County Building Permit Fee Schedule (effective Oct 5, 2024) ↗
Who supplies electricity in Brandon?
Tampa Electric (TECO) serves all of Hillsborough County, including Brandon. Peoples Gas supplies natural gas where lines reach.
Tampa Electric: Service Area & Reliability ↗ · Peoples Gas: Tampa appliance & sales providers (Hillsborough, Pasco and Pinellas) ↗
More guides: Florida water heater replacement · All local guides