Quoted:
Doesn't one need a builiding permit to install a water heater? We thought about doing it ourself but the whole building permit thing got us thinking.
do you need a building permit to replace your fridge, dishwasher or washer and dryer? you're not "building" anything new, just replacing an appliance. how much time would getting a permit add to the turn around on having how water again? would you want to wait a week before you could take a hot shower?
the hard part about DIY is getting the old one out to the curb... simply because even after you drain it the old one is heavy.
i've replaced a few and if someone in the SE needs there's done i'd be happy to help.
last year mine started leaking, i replaced it and then had a friend who's water heater did the same thing a week later, so we did his too.
Republic Services will haul away the old one, just put it out on the curb.
i recommend using the braided stainless flex supply lines, however when i replaced mine the stainless lines wouldn't make the turns they needed to make, so i had to use the braided nylon flex lines. all the supply lines for my toilets and sinks are upgraded to stainless flex with 1/4 turn ball valves. i've seen the copper flex lines develop leaks before. better to upgrade that stuff all at once and reduce the chance of coming home to a soggy floor.