Here is some back story on my situation.
Initially I went to Home Depot to shop around for a new HWT but my parents ended up jumping the gun and purchased a 50GAL tank costing approx. $1100. Of course this includes the delivery, install and removal of the old tank. Forward to the next day, the installers showed up but advised the HWT purchased was the wrong type as I need a power-vented model and that my pipes would need to be replaced due to new building codes. Surprise surprise, all these new tidbits = more $.
So my options are to either bite the bullet and continue on with Home Depot for an additional $700 for everything said and done,
or
Cancel my order and get a refund minus $50, and shop around for a better deal.
Of course, I'm open to recommendation for a reputable plumber/establishment for a suitable replacement or am I just being stingy and this is just the cost of home ownership.