Guide
Permits, rebates and bids for a heat pump or furnace job
We have not found a trustworthy published price for an installed heat pump or furnace in Tacoma, Puyallup or Olympia, so we won't guess one. Here is what the public record does cover.
The permit lines on your bid (2026)
- Tacoma: replacing a mechanical unit in a house is 2.81% of construction value, with a $190 minimum. (Tacoma fee schedule, read Oct 18, 2026) A heat pump, a furnace or a like-for-like swap can get an over-the-counter mechanical permit. (Tacoma)
- Tacoma electrical: Tacoma Power issues electrical permits inside the city. One to four new circuits are $89, and each added circuit is $10, with two inspections included. (TMC 12.06A.250, read Oct 18, 2026) (Tacoma Power)
- Unincorporated Pierce County: $58.00 to issue the mechanical permit, plus $17.00 for a furnace up to 100,000 Btu/h. (PCC 17C.10.070, read Oct 18, 2026) The table has no heat pump line, so ask the county which one applies.
- Olympia: $122.62 to issue, $75.92 for a furnace or a heat pump, and $55.97 for the first low-voltage thermostat, plus a 4.1% technology fee. (Olympia 2026 fees, read Oct 18, 2026)
- Lacey: a mechanical permit is $82.00, plus $27.00 per fixture over three; a whole-house mechanical permit is $390.00. (Lacey fee schedule, read Oct 18, 2026)
- Unincorporated King County: a mechanical-only permit is $183 and covers up to six systems or parts per home. (King County 2026 fees, read Oct 18, 2026) Where L&I issues the electrical permit, one to four circuits are $78.80 and the first thermostat is $59.50. (WAC 296-46B-906, read Oct 18, 2026)
Ask the contractor to write each permit fee on the bid as its own line, so you can match it to the table.
What comes off the total
Rebates only apply if the installer is on the utility's list: Tacoma Power needs a Participating Contractor and PSE a Recommended Energy Professional or Trade Ally. (Tacoma Power) (PSE) The state HEAR program helps households at or below 150% of area median income. (WA Commerce) Amounts by utility are on our rebate page.
Paying over time
Tacoma Power lists 0% interest 7-year loans up to $20,000 for qualifying heat pumps, through its participating contractors. (Tacoma Power, read Oct 18, 2026)
Comparing three bids
Tacoma Power tells customers to get at least three bids. (Tacoma Power) Ask each contractor to break out:
- Equipment, by model number.
- Labor for the install.
- Electrical work, and who holds the 06A or 06B certificate. A new branch circuit or panel change is outside that scope. (WAC 296-46B-920)
- Each mechanical and electrical permit fee, using the lines above.
- Which rebate they will file for you, and the amount taken off.
More on vetting them: questions to ask and what each license covers.
Sources
We read each source on October 18, 2026. Rules and prices change, so check the linked page before you rely on a number.
- City of Tacoma fee schedule, effective Jan 1, 2026 (PDF)
- City of Tacoma: Residential permits
- Tacoma Municipal Code 12.06A (Tacoma Power electrical code)
- Tacoma Power: Electrical service fees
- Pierce County Code 17C.10.070, permit fees
- City of Olympia 2026 mechanical fees (PDF)
- City of Lacey fee schedule, effective July 1, 2026 (PDF)
- King County 2026 Fee Guide 02, single-family residential (PDF)
- WAC 296-46B-906, L&I electrical permit fees
- Tacoma Power: Heat pump incentives
- Puget Sound Energy: Electric resistance to air-source heat pump rebate
- WA Commerce: Home Electrification and Appliance Rebates (HEAR)
- WAC 296-46B-920, electrical specialties
Written by the South Sound HVAC team. We list businesses; we do not employ, bond or insure them. Spot a mistake? Use the claim page to tell us.