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WATER HEATER REPLACEMENT IN CLAYTON
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See what replacement costs ↓CLAYTON AT A GLANCE
Clayton runs its own Building Division, and a water heater replacement needs a city plumbing permit: $35 processing plus a $100 review fee for jobs up to $15,000, under the schedule effective May 1, 2025. Only a master plumber licensed by both St. Louis County and Clayton can pull the permit. St. Louis County handles any electrical inspection. Clayton's utilities are Ameren Missouri for power, Spire for gas and Missouri American Water for water.
01 / TYPICAL PRICES



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 Clayton averages or guaranteed quotes.
Replacing mechanical equipment needs a separate mechanical permit ($35 + $100 for jobs up to $15,000). Clayton doesn't do electrical inspections; St. Louis County's electrical department does.
02 / COMPANIES WE FOUND
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 →
Lists Clayton among the areas it serves. Based in 280 Vance Rd, Valley Park, MO 63088.
Water heater feedback Customers praised same-day water heater replacements, code updates explained clearly, careful cleanup and responsive office staff.
Worth knowing Reviewers alleged problems after water heater installs, including ceiling water damage from a misrouted line that the company would not repair, an incorrect installation that caused corrosion and leaking, and dismissive service-manager follow-up; no company responses were visible on these reviews.
6 water heater reviews read, checked September 30, 2026.
Lists Clayton among the areas it serves. Based in 3700 Rider Trail S, Suite 100, Earth City, MO 63045 (other St. Louis-area offices: 1643 Tower Grove Ave, St. Louis, MO 63110; 2043 Woodland Pkwy, Suite 100, St Louis, MO 63146; 1254 University Drive, Suite 800, Edwardsville, IL 62025).
Published price:
Water heater feedback Customers praised quick replacements (often same or next day), clean installs with floor protection, clear explanations of options, warranties and rebates, and no pushy selling.
Worth knowing A 2026 BBB reviewer said a $927 water heater repair failed, the unit was replaced for about $4,000, and the company credited $450 only after back-and-forth; another reviewer said the company was not the cheapest.
5 water heater reviews read, checked September 30, 2026.
Lists Clayton among the areas it serves. Based in 24 Kirkham Industrial Ct, Webster Groves, MO 63119.
Water heater feedback Testimonials praised careful floor protection and cleanup, clear communication, and the office finding a same-day crew after a scheduling mix-up.
Worth knowing No water heater complaints found in the sources checked.
4 water heater reviews read, checked September 30, 2026.
Water heater feedback Reviewers praised kind, knowledgeable plumbers, a temporary fix that restored hot water until replacement, and pricing they considered fair.
Worth knowing No water heater complaints found in the sources checked.
2 water heater reviews read, checked September 30, 2026.
Lists Clayton among the areas it serves. Based in Fenton, MO (city named in franchise page titles; street address not shown on pages checked).
Water heater feedback The one testimonial praised a courteous, efficient plumber and a reasonable price for fixing a water heater leak.
Worth knowing No water heater complaints found in the sources checked.
1 water heater review read, checked September 30, 2026.
Lists Clayton among the areas it serves. Based in 1104 S Callahan Rd, Wentzville, MO 63385.
Water heater feedback Customers praised on-time, tidy water heater replacements at a fair price, clear explanations, and no-pressure estimates.
Worth knowing No water heater complaints found in the sources checked.
4 water heater reviews read, checked September 30, 2026.
Lists Clayton among the areas it serves. Based in 101 Stag Industrial Blvd., Lake Saint Louis, MO 63367 (second location: 17722 Chesterfield Airport Rd., Chesterfield, MO 63005).
Water heater feedback Reviewers praised a well-done gas water heater installation and a technician who caught water heater corrosion during routine maintenance.
Worth knowing A 2025 BBB complaint alleged a water heater and drain-pan install that was never tested and later let water leak into a neighbor's unit, and that Superior charged a $100 visit fee and would not correct it; Superior responded that the work was permitted, passed inspection, excluded the existing drain system, and that the overflow came from equipment it never serviced (listed as Answered).
4 water heater reviews read, checked September 30, 2026.
Lists Clayton among the areas it serves. Based in 1613 East Terra Ln, O’Fallon, MO 63366.
We haven’t found reviews that mention this company’s water heater work yet.
Lists Clayton among the areas it serves. Based in 2671 Washington Ave, St Louis, MO 63103 (local branch of national company).
We haven’t found reviews that mention this company’s water heater work yet.
Order: companies based in Clayton 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. Missouri has no statewide plumbing license (check your city or county) ↗.
FROM COMPANIES SERVING CLAYTON


HOMES IN CLAYTON
About 71% of homes were built before 1980. Older homes often have older venting, smaller closets and shutoff valves that should be checked before install day.
63% of homes heat with utility gas, so gas water heaters with existing venting are common here.
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
Clayton doesn't do electrical inspections. The St. Louis County Electrical Department does them, and your electrician requests them. This matters if a new circuit is added for an electric or heat pump water heater.
Clayton requires whoever pulls the permit to be a master plumber licensed by both St. Louis County and the City of Clayton. The city's 2025 fee schedule lists the plumbing license at $45 a year.
City of Clayton: Building Services ↗ · City of Clayton Planning & Development Permit and Application Fee Schedule (effective May 1, 2025) ↗
ENERGY & WATER
Missouri PSC Utility Locator (St. Louis County / St. Charles / Lincoln / Franklin city list) ↗
Missouri American Water: Missouri River facilities up to 164 mg/L as CaCO3 (range 82–164); Meramec River facilities up to 150 mg/L (range 60–150); about 9.6 and 8.8 gpg at the highs; 2025 report
Missouri PSC Utility Locator (St. Louis County / St. Charles / Lincoln / Franklin city list) ↗ · Missouri American Water St. Louis County/St. Charles County 2025 Annual Water Quality Report ↗
REBATES & CREDITS
For Ameren Missouri and Spire customers in Clayton. Ask installers for the price before rebates, then check with the program that you qualify.
Checked September 30, 2026. Who qualifies and the conditions: Missouri rebates · How to check an incentive.
PERMITS & LICENSING
Clayton requires a permit to install, repair, remove or replace any plumbing other than ordinary repairs. Apply on the city's Citizenserve portal. The city has used the 2021 International Plumbing and Residential Codes since January 1, 2023.
Yes. Plumbers need a St. Louis County master plumber license plus a City of Clayton plumbing license ($45 a year on the 2025 fee schedule).
City of Clayton Planning & Development Services, Building Division ↗ · City of Clayton: Building Services ↗ · City of Clayton Planning & Development Permit and Application Fee Schedule (effective May 1, 2025) ↗ · City of Clayton: Applications, Forms & Permits ↗
Ask for the license number and search it yourself on the Missouri has no statewide plumbing license (check your city or county) ↗. A listing on Ember & Tank is not a license check. Missouri licensing explained →
NEARBY CITIES
| City | Distance | Permit to replace | Fee | Electric |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| University City | 1 mi | Required | — | Ameren Missouri |
| Overland | 4 mi | Check with city | $60 | Ameren Missouri |
| Webster Groves | 4 mi | Required | — | Ameren Missouri |
| St. Louis | 5 mi | Required | $30 | Ameren Missouri |
| Creve Coeur | 6 mi | Required | $47 | Ameren Missouri |
| St. Ann | 6 mi | Required | $47 | Ameren Missouri |
COMMON QUESTIONS
$35 processing plus $100 review for plumbing jobs costing $15,000 or less. Bigger jobs pay $7.80 for each $1,000 of construction cost (effective May 1, 2025).
City of Clayton Planning & Development Permit and Application Fee Schedule (effective May 1, 2025) ↗
The city says a Master Plumber licensed through St. Louis County and the City of Clayton must get the permit and do the work.
St. Louis County's Electrical Department, not the city. Your electrician requests the inspection.
More guides: Missouri water heater replacement · All local guides