My quote for a new water heater is $4,200 in Airdrie, fair?

Typical Calgary-area figures for a supplied-and-installed gas water heater are $1,500 to $3,500 for a standard 50-gallon tank or $2,200 to $5,000 for a tankless unit, so $4,200 sits at the upper end of the tank range and squarely in the middle of the tankless range. Whether it's fair depends heavily on what's included and which type of heater you're getting.

What moves the price on this job

A standard 50-gallon gas tank is the baseline. The quote climbs when the contractor supplies a high-efficiency or larger tank, when the gas line needs to be resized or extended, or when the venting has to change (for example, switching from a natural draft heater to a direct vent or power vent model). Tankless units cost more upfront and often require a larger gas line, which adds $400 to $1,500 on top of the unit and installation. Disposal of the old heater and any concrete or drywall work also affect the total.

Ask the contractor to break the quote into parts: the unit (make, model and capacity), labour, gas line work if any, venting, permit, and removal of the old heater. That breakdown tells you immediately whether $4,200 is for a basic swap or a more involved job.

Permits in Airdrie

The City of Airdrie issues plumbing and gas permits and lists hot water tanks as work that needs a permit. Homeowners can obtain permits only for homes they own and occupy, not for any part of a rental. Since January 2026, a homeowner-led trade permit carries an additional $100 fee per trade. When you hire a contractor, the contractor takes out the permits and the cost should appear as a line in your quote. If it doesn't, ask directly who is taking out the permits and whether that cost is included.

Certification

Gas work is a compulsory trade in Alberta under the Skilled Trades and Apprenticeship Education Act. The person connecting the gas line must be a certified journeyperson gasfitter or a registered apprentice working under one. Ask to see the gasfitter's trade certificate before signing anything.

What a solid quote includes

A fair written quote should show the unit by make, model and capacity; a fixed price or a clear hourly rate with a call-out fee; the permit; gas line and venting work itemized separately if needed; removal and disposal of the old heater; and a warranty on both parts and labour with the terms spelled out. Get at least two quotes and compare them scope for scope, not just the bottom line.

Before hiring, check three things: the contractor's gasfitter trade certificate, an Alberta prepaid contracting licence from Service Alberta (required if you're paying any deposit before the work is complete), and a WCB-Alberta clearance letter confirming their account is in good standing.

If you want to do something useful right now, find your home's main water shut-off and confirm you know how to close it quickly, so you're ready if the old heater starts leaking before the replacement is scheduled.