Where I am, the plumber gets the permit (and passes the cost on to you! :roll: ) for repair work. For new work, the "general contractor" is supposed to get the permits (that's been me and my husband on our renovations).

Isn't that the way,everything goes at once it seems.

Are you able to physically do the work? If so, then I would either buy a book or check out a book on handyman work, then see what I were able to do. I'm sure that would be a lot cheaper than plumbers. I would also call around and get prices, don't go with the first and only one you call.

You may also be able to get a handy man to come and do the work,

When you got the second opinion, did you TELL him what needed to be done or did you ASK him? My mother almost made a mistake by telling the 2nd repairman what needed to be done. He was honest and told her it didn't need all that work. As a result she was saved from spending $1000s. And I'm with the others, that's a lot to change out the water heater. I'm also questioning the cost of the dishwasher problem. Unfortunately, there are people out there that will take people for everything they can. Be sure to check and make sure the person is LICENSED and BONDED to do that kind of work. If you have an unlicensed person come into your home YOU are liable for any problems and/or accidents.

My BF is a licensed plumber and knows how "company" plumbers ramp the price up if people look like they can afford it because they work on commission. He is a "new custruction" type plumber and no one is building new houses these days so he has been laid off for two years. Now he takes any side work he can get and knows that he can beat any price a "company" plumber gives out. When he goes to quote a job he gives a much cheaper rate if the customer gets the water heater and supplies. He never rips anyone off, exactly the opposite if you are on a fixed income. In fact, he quotes a price then tells people to call a plumbing company for a quote and then let him know because he knows what they will charge.
Often if someone says they only have a certain amount to spend, he will lower his price. You would not believe the number of people who NEVER pay him and avoid his calls after he has done the work. Find an out of work LICENSED plumber, ask any friends in the construction trades for a phone number, and you might get a better deal.
Wish we were closer so he could help you out! Good luck!

The tankless water heaters do not last very long in our area because they plug up and ruin as we have calcium and such in our water. They do not recommend them at all because they don't last as long as the regular tanks. Be sure you check your water source if you are considering one.

Try and find another couple estimates - those DO seem high!!

If you live in an area with really hard water, then the whole house water softener is the way to go. It saves all your pipes, fixtures, etc. in the long run. I live the the Texas Hill Country. Our water can stand up without a glass.

I've been married to a plumber for over 30 years. By the time he buys equipment, annual permits for each city/town he works in, annual licenses with the state, plus any equipment rental for exposing buried pipes, etc., the profit is not that great. Then there's always the late nights, crawling under houses and through mud. Not to complain, all service people have their "burdens to bear". My DH always insists that people get a second quote for larger jobs, but he most always gets a call back to do the work.