Storage tank
$1,600–$2,400Typical cost, including installation
WATER HEATER REPLACEMENT IN COTTAGE LAKE
Cottage Lake Water Heater
Replacement
Take a photo of your old water heater to start a replacement quote.
Get a water heater quotePhotos optional. No payment or booking.
See what replacement costs ↓COTTAGE LAKE AT A GLANCE
Replacing a water heater in Cottage Lake.
Cottage Lake is unincorporated King County, so replacing a water heater takes a Public Health – Seattle & King County plumbing permit: $137 plus $27 for each fixture in 2026. Homeowners can get their own permit. PSE supplies power. Woodinville Water District delivers soft Tolt River water bought from Seattle.
Cottage Lake is an unincorporated community in King County, so county offices handle permits.
- Permit to replace with the same type
- Yes · Public Health – Seattle & King County, Plumbing & Gas Piping Program (unincorporated King County)
- Permit fee
- $137 for each plumbing permit plus $27 for each fixture, so $164 for one water heater (Public Health fees effective Jan 1, 2026). If gas pipe is added or changed, a separate gas piping permit is $137 plus $27 for each outlet.
- Who gets the permit
- Homeowners can get a homeowner's permit to do their own plumbing (RCW 18.106.150). A hired professional must be a registered contractor.
- Electric utility
- Puget Sound Energy
- Gas utility
- Puget Sound Energy
- Water
- Woodinville Water District (buys all of its water from Seattle, mostly from the Tolt River supply), per a King County parcel report for a Cottage Lake address · Soft. The district publishes no figure. SPU's May 2026 analysis shows 1.53 gpg in Tolt distribution and about 1.5–1.7 gpg for Cedar water.
- Rebate worth checking
- PSE heat pump water heater rebate (Active)
- Typical home
- Built 1984 (median) · 91% owner-occupied
- Companies found
- 16 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 Cottage Lake averages or guaranteed quotes.
Compare what each quote includes.Equipment · Labor · Permits · Old heater removalHow to compare quotes →
What we know about prices in Cottage Lake
- National installer’s published rangeThe ranges above. Home Depot ↗
- Local permit fee$137 for each plumbing permit plus $27 for each fixture, so $164 for one water heater (Public Health fees effective Jan 1, 2026). If gas pipe is added or changed, a separate gas piping permit is $137 plus $27 for each outlet.. Public Health – Seattle & King County, Plumbing & Gas Piping Program (unincorporated King County) fee source ↗
- Local company’s advertised price2 of the companies listed for Cottage Lake post water heater prices or specials on their websites: Harts Plumbers, Electricians, & HVAC Technicians, Benjamin Franklin Plumbing (Redmond). Each offer has its own conditions.
- Measured local dataNot collected yet, so no Cottage Lake average is shown.
What can change the price in Cottage Lake?
Adding or changing gas pipe needs a separate gas piping permit. Electrical permits come from L&I, because unincorporated King County doesn't issue its own.
02 / COMPANIES WE FOUND
Who replaces water heaters in Cottage Lake?
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 →
Fischer Plumbing
Lists Cottage Lake among the areas it serves. Based in Mountlake Terrace.
- Tank
- Tankless
- Heat pump
- Repair
- Emergency service
What the reviews say
Water heater feedback Reviewers praised easy scheduling, same-day replacement and prices they described as fair.
Worth knowing A BBB complainant said a 2021 water heater install never kept water hot and tripped the breaker (Fischer said it provides a 1-year parts and labor warranty and cannot be responsible for home electrical; it refunded a service call fee), and a 2009 Yelp reviewer said the installer tried to raise a $900 quote to over $1,500.
4 water heater reviews read, checked September 30, 2026.
Harts Plumbers, Electricians, & HVAC Technicians
Lists Cottage Lake among the areas it serves. Based in Tacoma.
- Tank
- Tankless
- Heat pump
- Repair
- Emergency service
Published price: Promos (no base price): $100 off a standard water heater (or $39/month financing); $250 off a tankless water heater (or $199/month financing); 5% Heroes Discount up to $200.
What the reviews say
Water heater feedback Yelp reviewers praised technicians who flushed water heaters and explained maintenance clearly.
Worth knowing BBB reviewers and complainants said technicians recommended whole-house repipes or new tanks for water heater problems that other plumbers fixed cheaply (Harts denied any fraudulent practice and offered manager follow-up), and one disputed $2,500 for a tankless flush and diagnosis that did not fix the issue.
5 water heater reviews read, checked September 30, 2026.
Benjamin Franklin Plumbing (Redmond)
Lists Cottage Lake among the areas it serves. Based in Woodinville.
- Tank
- Tankless
- Repair
- Emergency service
Published price: Coupons (no base price): $250 OFF water heater installation (first 50 callers, 8 AM-12 PM); $75 OFF any plumbing service; $75 OFF drain cleaning with free plumbing inspection.
What the reviews say
We haven’t found reviews that mention this company’s water heater work yet.
Bee's Plumbing & Heating
Lists Woodinville as a service area, not Cottage Lake by name. Confirm they cover your address. Based in Seattle.
- Tank
- Tankless
- Repair
- Emergency service
Published price: Coupon: '$500-$800 OFF Water Heater Installation' ($500 off tank, $800 off tankless; not valid on dispatch fee; expires 9/30/2026). No base installed prices published.
What the reviews say
Water heater feedback Reviewers praised same-day response, clear explanation of options and quick tank and tankless installs.
Worth knowing Reviewers on BBB and Yelp said water heater prices were far above other quotes or not itemized (the company said on BBB it later sent an itemized invoice and wanted to make it right).
5 water heater reviews read, checked September 30, 2026.
Brennan Heating & Air Conditioning
Lists Woodinville as a service area, not Cottage Lake by name. Confirm they cover your address. Based in Seattle.
- Tank
- Tankless
- Heat pump
- 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 complainant said a gas tank was installed facing the wrong way, blocking access to controls (Brennan apologized and scheduled a return visit to rotate it), and Yelp reviewers described a delayed Costco-sourced install and a later diagnosis they disputed.
3 water heater reviews read, checked September 30, 2026.
CM Heating
Lists Woodinville as a service area, not Cottage Lake by name. Confirm they cover your address. Based in Everett.
- Tank
- Tankless
- Heat pump
- Repair
- Emergency service
Published price: Water heater replacement 'Starting at $2,349' or as low as $29.99/month with price match guarantee; tankless '$49.99/mo. Installed'. Deals page: gas or electric water heater 'starting at just $44.99/month installed' with lifetime repairs and maintenance (50-gal electric / 40-gal gas standard units, Comfort as a Service program); up to $200 off tankless or standard installation. Diagnostic fee $89.95 (waived with approved repair). ;
What the reviews say
Water heater feedback Reviewers praised a same-day water heater replacement and professional, friendly installation crews.
Worth knowing A Yelp reviewer said CM told him it no longer works on tankless water heaters after selling him one, and another said a service call yielded a replacement quote instead of an inspection, which the company refunded after he complained.
4 water heater reviews read, checked September 30, 2026.
Danika Plumbing & Electric
Lists Woodinville as a service area, not Cottage Lake by name. Confirm they cover your address. Based in Everett.
- Tank
- Tankless
- Heat pump
- Repair
- Emergency service
What the reviews say
Water heater feedback Republished reviews praised same-day replacement, quotes that matched the final bill, and technicians who explained why tanks failed.
Worth knowing No water heater complaints found in the sources checked; accounts come from a company-curated page.
4 water heater reviews read, checked September 30, 2026.
Fast Water Heater Co. (Washington)
Lists Woodinville as a service area, not Cottage Lake by name. Confirm they cover your address. Based in Woodinville.
- Tank
- Tankless
- Heat pump
- Repair
- Emergency service
What the reviews say
Water heater feedback Reviewers praised punctual, communicative technicians, quick scheduling and a competitively priced replacement.
Worth knowing BBB complainants and a Yelp reviewer said code items were sold as add-ons after a basic quote and that installs failed inspection or permits lingered; the company says it walks customers through a signed code checklist, and in several cases refunded charges or did the code work free.
5 water heater reviews read, checked September 30, 2026.
Goldstar Plumbing
Lists Woodinville as a service area, not Cottage Lake by name. Confirm they cover your address. Based in Seattle.
- Tank
- Tankless
- Heat pump
- Repair
- Emergency service
What the reviews say
Water heater feedback Testimonials praised heat pump water heater installs with clear options, permit and inspection handling, cleanup and haul-away.
Worth knowing No water heater complaints found in the sources checked.
2 water heater reviews read, checked September 30, 2026.
Home Comfort Alliance
Lists Woodinville as a service area, not Cottage Lake by name. Confirm they cover your address. Based in Sumner.
- Tank
- Tankless
- Heat pump
- Repair
What the reviews say
We haven’t found reviews that mention this company’s water heater work yet.
Also listing Cottage Lake: Hunt's Services, Mr. Rooter Plumbing of Everett, North Sound Plumbing, Puget Sound Plumbing & Heating, Washington Energy Services, Ben's Plumbing, Heating & Air.
Order: companies based in Cottage Lake 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. L&I Verify a Contractor, Tradesperson or Business ↗.
FROM COMPANIES SERVING COTTAGE LAKE
Photos of water heater jobs from these companies.
HOMES IN COTTAGE LAKE
What Cottage Lake homes are like.
1984Median year built
34%Built before 1980
91%Owner-occupied
74%Heat with utility gas
98%Single-family homes
The median home was built in 1984. A first or second replacement is common in homes this age.
74% 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
What’s different in Cottage Lake.
King County's install rules
Public Health requires two 20-gauge sheet-metal earthquake straps (upper and lower thirds), 24 inches of clear access width, a fixed barrier like a metal post in garages where a car parks, an expansion tank on closed systems, and a relief valve line that drains by gravity. Gas water heaters that aren't direct-vent generally aren't allowed in bedrooms or bathrooms.
Rural lots on septic
A sample Cottage Lake lot is zoned RA-5 (rural area) and is outside any sewer district, so many homes use septic systems. That affects where a water heater drain or relief valve line can go.
King County Districts and development conditions report (sample parcel) ↗
ENERGY & WATER
Who supplies Cottage Lake homes.
Energy
- Electric: Puget Sound Energy (PSE serves King County outside Seattle; not confirmed for each lot)
- Gas: Puget Sound Energy (Only where gas mains exist; many rural homes may not have gas (not verified))
Wikipedia – Puget Sound Energy (electric and gas service in King County outside Seattle) ↗
Water
Woodinville Water District (buys all of its water from Seattle, mostly from the Tolt River supply), per a King County parcel report for a Cottage Lake address: Soft. The district publishes no figure. SPU's May 2026 analysis shows 1.53 gpg in Tolt distribution and about 1.5–1.7 gpg for Cedar water.
Woodinville Water District – Water quality ↗ · King County Districts and development conditions report (sample Cottage Lake parcel) ↗ · SPU Quarterly Surface Water Analysis, May 20, 2026 ↗
REBATES & CREDITS
Rebates for Cottage Lake homes.
For Puget Sound Energy customers in Cottage Lake. Ask installers for the price before rebates, then check with the program that you qualify.
- PSE heat pump water heater rebate ↗Active$1,000 back on a qualifying Tier 3 or Tier 4 heat pump water heater installed on or after January 1, 2026.
- Washington HEAR (Home Electrification and Appliance Rebates) ↗ActiveState-run program covering heat pump water heaters, heat pumps, induction cooking and electrical upgrades for households at or below 150% of Area Median Income.
- IRA Home Energy Rebates (HARP appliance rebates and HOMES) ↗Not launchedThe federally funded appliance (HARP) and whole-house (HOMES) rebates for households up to 150% AMI had not launched statewide.
- Federal Energy Efficient Home Improvement Credit (25C) ↗EndedCovered improvements made through December 31, 2025.
Checked September 30, 2026. Who qualifies and the conditions: Washington rebates · How to check an incentive.
PERMITS & LICENSING
Permits and licenses in Cottage Lake.
Permits and who issues them
In unincorporated King County, Public Health – Seattle & King County issues plumbing and gas piping permits, not the King County Permitting Division. Its fixture list puts every kind of water heater (electric, gas, tankless, heat pump) under plumbing permits. Apply, book inspections and manage permits in the Public Health Permit Center.
Public Health says plumbers you hire must be registered contractors (RCW 18.106).
Public Health – Seattle & King County, Plumbing & Gas Piping Program (unincorporated King County) ↗ · Public Health – Plumbing and gas piping applications and permits ↗ · Public Health – Plumbing and Gas Piping fees effective Jan 1, 2026 ↗ · Public Health – Fixture list with notes ↗ · Public Health – Installing a new water heater ↗ · Washington L&I – City electrical permits & inspections ↗
Check the installer’s license
Ask for the license number and search it yourself on the L&I Verify a Contractor, Tradesperson or Business ↗. A listing on Ember & Tank is not a license check. Washington licensing explained →
NEARBY CITIES
Compare places near Cottage Lake.
| City | Distance | Permit to replace | Fee | Electric |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Woodinville | 3 mi | Required | $119 | Puget Sound Energy |
| Redmond | 5 mi | Required | $140.71 | Puget Sound Energy |
| Bothell | 6 mi | Required | $82 | Puget Sound Energy, Snohomish County PUD |
| Kirkland | 7 mi | Required | $121 | Puget Sound Energy |
| Kenmore | 8 mi | Required | $165 | Puget Sound Energy |
| Silver Firs | 9 mi | Required (county) | $157 | Snohomish County PUD |
This guide also covers Bryn Mawr-Skyway, East Renton Highlands, Fairwood, Lake Morton-Berrydale, Lakeland North, Union Hill-Novelty Hill and White Center, which share Cottage Lake’s permit office, utilities, water provider and companies.
COMMON QUESTIONS
Cottage Lake water heater questions.
Who issues the water heater permit?
The Plumbing & Gas Piping Program at Public Health – Seattle & King County. It covers Seattle, Clyde Hill and unincorporated King County.
What does it cost?
In 2026, $137 plus $27 for each fixture, so $164 for one water heater.
Can I pull the permit myself?
Yes. Public Health issues homeowner's permits so owners can do their own plumbing.
More guides: Washington water heater replacement · All local guides