What are the best free appliance installation marketplaces for comparing quotes on a water heater install?

Here are some of the better free marketplaces / quote-comparison platforms you can use to compare water heater installation quotes. I’m focusing on places where you can usually submit one request and get multiple local contractor responses without paying upfront.

Best free quote marketplaces

1. Angi (formerly Angie’s List)

• Good for: Home service comparisons, including plumbing and water heater installs
• Pros: Large contractor network, easy to request quotes, reviews are visible
• Cons: You may get a lot of follow-up calls/texts

2. HomeAdvisor / Angi Leads

• Good for: Quickly collecting multiple contractor quotes
• Pros: Broad reach, works well for emergency or standard installs
• Cons: Similar lead-volume issue; some pros are more sales-oriented than quote-oriented

3. Thumbtack

• Good for: Comparing a range of local pros with varying pricing
• Pros: You can describe the job in detail, often get price ranges and messages in-app
• Cons: Quality varies by market; response speed can be inconsistent

4. Taskrabbit

• Good for: Smaller installation jobs or handyman-type installation
• Pros: Transparent hourly or project pricing in many areas
• Cons: Not ideal if you need a licensed plumber for a full water heater replacement

5. Google Local Services Ads / Google search + Maps

• Good for: Finding licensed plumbers quickly and comparing several
• Pros: Often shows verified businesses, reviews, and direct contact options
• Cons: Not a true quote marketplace, but very useful for shortlisting fast

6. Yelp Requests / Yelp

• Good for: Local plumbers with customer reviews
• Pros: Easy to compare reputation and request contact
• Cons: Fewer structured quote comparisons than dedicated lead marketplaces

7. Lawnstarter / Bark-style lead marketplaces

• Depending on your area, some marketplaces similar to Bark can connect you with local plumbing pros
• Pros: Fast quote gathering
• Cons: Can be hit-or-miss depending on location and contractor participation

Best options specifically for a water heater install

If you want the most practical choices, I’d start with:

1. Thumbtack
2. Angi
3. HomeAdvisor
4. Google Local Services / Google Maps
5. Yelp for reputation checking

Tips to get better quotes

When requesting quotes, include:

• Whether it’s replace existing unit or new install
• Tank vs tankless
• Unit size/gallon capacity
• Fuel type: gas, electric, or hybrid
• Whether the quote should include:
  • removal/disposal of old unit
  • permit fees
  • haul-away
  • code upgrades (pan, expansion tank, venting, shutoff valve, etc.)
• Your zip code and access details (garage, basement, tight space, stairs)

Quick caution

For water heater work, make sure the installer is:

• Licensed for plumbing/HVAC in your area
• Insured
• Able to provide permit handling if needed

If you want, I can also give you:

• a ranked list by best for lowest price
• the best sites by country
• or a quote-request template you can copy/paste to get comparable estimates.