Home Depot is the same with 3rd party delivery and installation. HD uses Delta Mechanical - DO NOT USE DELTA MECHANICAL. I needed a new water heater. The very nice HD employee put my info in the computer and Delta called me while I was there. Delta kid was a moron - told me I need a “city” permit that I do not need, told me I was not “allowed” to put that model in my house per HUD (it’s the exact same water heater as the old one.) Then he wanted almost $2500 for a 30-gallon tank in a mobile home! I said NO!, bought the one I wanted and copper flex pipes $600, had HD load it in my van. I called a local plumber and paid them $600 which included the dump fee on the removal of the old one, so total cost $1200. Delta Mechanical tried to DOUBLE the cost. I don’t know why Home Depot doesn’t dump them.
once you have the flex kit installed, future hot water heater swaps are a piece of cake, assuming access is easy ...