A study conducted by HomeAdvisor claims that the average cost for a water heater repair is $501 dollars, with most repairs landing between $200-$800 dollars. Like any appliance some parts are more affordable to repair than others.
Note city ordinance does change and installation fees might be charged to comply with building/housing code. Some of these repairs are more expensive than buying a new water heater. It might be better to get a new water heater installed, than fixing one that has been continuously causing problems.
Depending on the issue you are experiencing, will determine who you call for a water heater repair. Before calling a plumber or electrician, you should check if your water heater has a repair warranty. Companies like Sears and HomeDepot offer a monthly water heater repair warranty that will cover almost any damage. If your water heater does have a warranty the company will likely send one of their own technicians to resolve the problem. On the other hand, a water heater with no warranty will require a professional. Most plumbers can manage all water heater malfunctions, but there are situations when an electrician is needed. For example, a water heater that keeps tripping the circuit breaker. A blown out or overheating water heater fuse box also demands an electrician. When the reset button on the water heater continues to trip, an electrician will have to tighten loose wiring. On some rare occasions, both a plumber and electrician will have to work together in order to get the water heater operating again. Identifying the complication will help choose the proper professional/s.