Updated October 2026
McCrae runs along the foreshore below Arthurs Seat with the lighthouse above and narrow streets climbing hard up the hill. Below the highway there is flat holiday stock from the 1950s and 60s, and above it bush blocks with long driveways and big views. Mornington Hot Water is a free referral service. We connect you with licensed hot water plumbers who cover McCrae. We are not a plumbing business ourselves, and the referral costs you nothing.
Access first, system second
On the hill, getting to the unit is most of the job. Steep driveways, limited street parking, tight side paths and units positioned wherever a renovation left them all add time. A swap that takes two hours on the flat can take most of a morning here, and the quote reflects the real work rather than the price of the appliance.
Below the highway, access is easy but the stock is old. Electric storage tanks of uncertain age, often mounted outside, are the norm, and many of these houses are used seasonally, so idle corrosion is a frequent cause of failure.
The hillside blocks have one clear advantage. Space and airflow make them well suited to a heat pump, and they sit further from direct salt spray than the foreshore houses do.
Repair it or replace it
If the tank itself is leaking, it is a replacement. Elements, thermostats and relief valves on a younger tank are often worth fixing, with repairs roughly $150 to $600 depending on the part. See hot water repairs and hot water replacement.
As a guide, electric storage like-for-like swaps run from around $800 to $2,500 installed. Gas storage and continuous flow sit around $1,200 to $3,500, and a heat pump $3,000 to $6,000 before incentives. The cost guide has the detail.
Same-day replacement is often possible for common tank sizes when you get in touch in the morning.
Frequently asked questions
Why do quotes vary so much here?
Access. The appliance costs the same everywhere, the labour to get it in and out does not. Photos of the unit, the path to it and the parking help enormously.
Is there mains gas on the hill?
Availability varies by address in McCrae. The plumber checks your meter and line before quoting rather than assuming.