Storage tank
$1,600–$2,400Typical cost, including installation
WATER HEATER REPLACEMENT IN BUFORD
Buford Water Heater
Replacement
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See what replacement costs ↓BUFORD AT A GLANCE
Replacing a water heater in Buford.
Buford runs its own gas, water, sewer and electric utilities. Buford Gas has over 46,000 customers in five counties, and city water comes mostly from Lake Lanier. Before inspections can start, trade contractors file a city affidavit with their state license and Gwinnett County business license.
- Permit to replace with the same type
- Check with the city · City of Buford Planning Department / Inspection Department
- Who gets the permit
- The trade affidavit asks for the contractor's state license number and Gwinnett County business license number, plus copies of the business license, state license and driver's license. The city also posts a Homeowner's Affidavit (October 2022 form).
- Electric utility
- City of Buford Electric Department (MEAG Power member)
- Gas utility
- Buford Gas (City of Buford Gas Department)
- Water
- City of Buford Water Department (Lake Lanier supply plus water purchased from Gwinnett County)
- Rebate worth checking
- Georgia Home Efficiency Rebates (HER) (Active)
- Typical home
- Built 1996 (median) · 68% 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 Buford averages or guaranteed quotes.
Compare what each quote includes.Equipment · Labor · Permits · Old heater removalHow to compare quotes →
What we know about prices in Buford
- National installer’s published rangeThe ranges above. Home Depot ↗
- Local company’s advertised price4 of the companies listed for Buford post water heater prices or specials on their websites: Estes Services, R.S. Andrews, Allgood Home Services (ARS/Rescue Rooter), RooterPLUS!. Each offer has its own conditions.
- Measured local dataNot collected yet, so no Buford average is shown.
02 / COMPANIES WE FOUND
Who replaces water heaters in Buford?
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 →
Ace Hardware Home Services Atlanta (North Georgia)
Lists Buford among the areas it serves. Based in Marietta.
- Tank
- Tankless
- Repair
- Emergency service
What the reviews say
Water heater feedback Reviewers praised a tankless job, a quick replacement of a leaking heater, and a technician who explained gas and electric options.
Worth knowing No water heater complaints found in the sources checked.
3 water heater reviews read, checked September 29, 2026.
AZERPLUMB - Plumbing & Drain
Lists Buford among the areas it serves. Based in Cumming.
- Tank
- Tankless
- Heat pump
- Repair
- Emergency service
What the reviews say
Water heater feedback Reviewers praised a tankless installation explained step by step and a careful Navien tankless service visit.
Worth knowing No water heater complaints found in the sources checked.
2 water heater reviews read, checked September 29, 2026.
Casteel Heating, Cooling, Plumbing and Electrical
Lists Buford among the areas it serves.
- Tank
- Tankless
- Repair
- Emergency service
What the reviews say
Water heater feedback The reviewer reported that a county inspector said the new water heater installation was done well.
Worth knowing The same reviewer was concerned by the inspector's implication about earlier installs; Casteel replied that a manager would review the installation history with the customer.
1 water heater review read, checked September 29, 2026.
Estes Services
Lists Buford among the areas it serves. Based in Atlanta.
- Tank
- Tankless
- Repair
Published price: Coupons: '$250 OFF Tankless Water Heater Installation. Same-Day Installation' and 'Free Water Heater Estimates'
What the reviews say
Water heater feedback A company-hosted testimonial mentions satisfaction with Estes replacing a water heater as part of years of service.
Worth knowing No water heater complaints found in the sources checked.
1 water heater review read, checked September 29, 2026.
Garner Plumbing Services
Lists Buford among the areas it serves. Based in Winder.
- Tank
- Tankless
- Repair
- Emergency service
What the reviews say
Water heater feedback A Yelp reviewer praised professional advice, no upselling and reasonable quotes on a new water heater installation.
Worth knowing A 2019 Yelp reviewer said a water heater install booked two weeks ahead fell through on the day.
2 water heater reviews read, checked September 29, 2026.
What the reviews say
Water heater feedback Reviewers praised a clean, well-explained water heater replacement and satisfactory tankless installations.
Worth knowing A BBB complainant said a spigot was disconnected during a water heater job and the company declined to fix it for free (unanswered).
5 water heater reviews read, checked September 29, 2026.
R.S. Andrews
Lists Buford among the areas it serves. Based in Peachtree Corners.
- Tank
- Tankless
- Heat pump
- Repair
- Emergency service
Published price: Coupon: '$100 Off Water Heater Installation' (cannot be combined; valid normal business hours M-F; expires Oct 31, 2026).
What the reviews say
Water heater feedback Reviewers praised a tankless installation that stayed on the promised timeline and technicians who reviewed the contract and water heater care.
Worth knowing BBB complainants disputed a repair that preceded a full replacement (RS Andrews refunded $453 but not a separate $600 charge; answered), a flush visit the customer said left a valve open (answered; company said it reached an agreement), and a $7,135 two-heater price (resolved with a $951 refund).
5 water heater reviews read, checked September 29, 2026.
Allgood Home Services (ARS/Rescue Rooter)
Lists Buford among the areas it serves. Based in Norcross.
- Tank
- Tankless
- Heat pump
- Repair
Published price: Coupon: 'Save Up to $300 on a New Water Heater' (purchase and installation of qualifying water heater required; residential only; expires 09/30/2026).
What the reviews say
We haven’t found reviews that mention this company’s water heater work yet.
RooterPLUS!
Lists Buford among the areas it serves. Based in Cumming.
- Tank
- Tankless
- Repair
- Emergency service
Published price: Coupon: '$250 Off Any Tankless Water Heater' also $50 off and $25 off general coupons.
What the reviews say
We haven’t found reviews that mention this company’s water heater work yet.
Order: companies based in Buford 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. Georgia plumbing license lookup (GOALS licensee search) ↗.
FROM COMPANIES SERVING BUFORD
Photos of water heater jobs from these companies.
HOMES IN BUFORD
What Buford homes are like.
1996Median year built
25%Built before 1980
68%Owner-occupied
51%Heat with utility gas
72%Single-family homes
About 29% of homes were built since 2010, so many original water heaters are reaching the age when replacement planning makes sense.
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 Buford.
Gas from the city, not Atlanta Gas Light
Buford has its own natural gas utility, Buford Gas. Atlanta Gas Light's marketer system and AGL rebates may not apply to Buford Gas customers. Ask Buford Gas before you count on an AGL rebate.
Inspections happen the next day
Get your request to the city by 4:00 pm for an inspection the next business day. Same-day inspections aren't offered.
ENERGY & WATER
Who supplies Buford homes.
Energy
- Electric: City of Buford Electric Department (MEAG Power member) (The city says it supplies power to 'various areas'; other companies serve the rest)
- Gas: Buford Gas (City of Buford Gas Department) (City-owned gas with over 46,000 customers in parts of Gwinnett, Hall, Barrow, Jackson and Walton counties)
Buford – Utilities ↗ · Buford – Electric Department ↗ · Buford – Gas Department ↗
Water
City of Buford Water Department (Lake Lanier supply plus water purchased from Gwinnett County)
Buford – Water Department ↗ · City of Buford 2025 Water Quality Report (reporting year 2025, PDF) ↗
REBATES & CREDITS
Rebates for Buford homes.
For City of Buford Electric Department (MEAG Power member) and Buford Gas (City of Buford Gas Department) customers in Buford. Ask installers for the price before rebates, then check with the program that you qualify.
- Georgia Home Electrification and Appliance Rebates (HEAR) ↗ClosedGeorgia's IRA-funded HEAR point-of-sale rebates for heat pump water heaters and other electric appliances are not accepting new applications; project submissions are paused until further notice.
- Georgia Home Efficiency Rebates (HER) ↗ActiveWhole-home efficiency rebates sized by household income (AMI) and modeled energy savings; the site says households can get up to $16,000 combined across Georgia's home energy rebate programs.
- Federal Energy Efficient Home Improvement Credit (25C) ↗EndedCovered improvements made through December 31, 2025.
Checked September 29, 2026. Who qualifies and the conditions: Georgia rebates · How to check an incentive.
PERMITS & LICENSING
Permits and licenses in Buford.
Permits and who issues them
Buford posts printable building permit applications and a Plumbing/Electrical/HVAC affidavit. Trade contractors must file the affidavit before any inspection or work. Request inspections by email or phone by 4:00 pm for the next business day. None of the city pages we read say whether replacing just a water heater needs a permit.
The trade affidavit (2018 form) asks for a Gwinnett County business license number.
City of Buford Planning Department / Inspection Department ↗ · Buford – Applications, Forms, Regulations ↗ · Buford Affidavit – Plumbing, Electrical, HVAC (Oct. 2018, scanned PDF) ↗ · Buford – Inspection Department ↗
Check the installer’s license
Ask for the license number and search it yourself on the Georgia plumbing license lookup (GOALS licensee search) ↗. A listing on Ember & Tank is not a license check. Georgia licensing explained →
NEARBY CITIES
Compare places near Buford.
| City | Distance | Permit to replace | Fee | Electric |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sugar Hill | 3 mi | Check with city | $25 | Jackson EMC |
| Suwanee | 6 mi | Required | $6 | Georgia Power, Jackson EMC |
| Braselton | 10 mi | Check with city | $50 | Jackson EMC |
| Lawrenceville | 11 mi | Required | — | Lawrenceville Utilities (city electric department) |
| Duluth | 12 mi | Check with city | — | Georgia Power, Jackson EMC |
| Johns Creek | 14 mi | Required | By job value (from $6.50) | Georgia Power, Sawnee EMC |
COMMON QUESTIONS
Buford water heater questions.
Who supplies natural gas in Buford?
The City of Buford's own gas department, Buford Gas. It serves parts of Gwinnett, Hall, Barrow, Jackson and Walton counties.
How do I book an inspection in Buford?
Email inspections@cityofbuford.com or call 678-546-3514 by 4:00 pm to get one the next business day.
More guides: Georgia water heater replacement · All local guides