Plumbing costs depend on your project and location. Check with a local pro for your specific job.
Cast iron pipe replacement costs $375 to $900 for a 30-foot run with labor, depending on access.
Pipe location drives labor complexity, with under-slab lines needing concrete access, while open bathroom or kitchen runs stay reachable.
You should account for sewer line inspections, permits, demolition work, and junk removal when creating your budget for this project.
Hiring a local junk removal professional helps you manage debris and keep your post-construction cleanup on track.
The cost to replace cast iron pipes is $650, but homeowners typically spend anywhere from $375 and $900 to swap out the old pipes. How much you’ll pay varies by the length of the pipe, accessibility, and more. Our guide breaks down what goes into replacing cast iron pipes to help you budget accordingly.
The cost of replacing cast iron pipes depends on the location of the pipes that need replacing. While you can determine the cost of replacing cast iron pipes by the linear foot, some projects are more intensive than that and require trenching, reconstruction, repaving, and more. Here are some of the most common locations and average replacement costs:
| Pipe Location | Average Cost Range |
|---|---|
| Bathroom sink replacement | $200–$800 |
| Basement overhead sewer line | $8,000–$10,000 |
| Kitchen sink pipe | $150–$500 |
| Main water line | $650–$2,800 |
| Sewer trap | $1,500–$3,000 |
| Under a slab | $3,000–$20,000 |
Shaddai Plumbing team is great! They are very professional, they keep their word, they complete job without delays. Great quality. We had to replace old water pipes across 2-story home and their service was great. We asked to add additional water switches to be able to switch hot/cold water on and off in separate parts of home - and they did it. Now if it will be leak or other problem - we can switch off kitchen area, or second floor without impacting other parts of our home. Highly recommended!
The average cost of cast iron pipes is between $10 and $20 per linear foot for the material, with an additional if you include labor. Most pipes range from 10 to 60 linear feet, with the average length falling at the 30-foot mark. Total costs with labor range from $125 to $1,800 depending on the length, so here’s a breakdown by size.
| Cast Iron Pipe Size (Linear Feet) | Average Material Cost | Average Cost with Labor |
|---|---|---|
| 10 | $100–$200 | $125–$300 |
| 20 | $200–$400 | $250–$600 |
| 30 | $300–$600 | $375–$900 |
| 40 | $400–$800 | $500–$1,200 |
| 50 | $500–$1,000 | $625–$1,500 |
| 60 | $600–$1,200 | $750–$1,800 |
Most cast iron pipe replacement projects require a professional plumber. You’ll find that plumbers typically mark up the material cost of cast iron pipes by 25% to 50% depending on the cost of living in your area and the project scope. This means cast iron pipes cost between $12.50 and $30 per linear foot with labor or $2.50 to $10 extra per foot. Here are several other tasks your plumber might complete:
Burst pipe repair: $500
Sewer cleanout cost: $2,000
Installing a sink: $450
Rough-in plumbing for a bathroom: $6,500
If your main water line or sewer line needs replacing, you may need to hire a landscaping company near you to clear the way for a plumber to go in and replace the cast iron pipes. Professional landscaping costs range anywhere from $1,250 and $6,000 and can vary wildly based on the topography, soil composition, and obstacles in your yard.
Boulder removal cost: $650 to $1,200 per boulder
Tree removal cost: $200 to $2,000 per tree
Pavement paving cost: $2 to $15 per square foot
Several other factors can impact the cost to replace cast iron pipes, including sewer line inspections, old pipe removal, permits, accessibility, and post-construction cleanup expenses. Let’s break down each of these cost factors.
The cost of a sewer line camera inspection ranges from $250 to $1,600. If you know there’s a leak or issue with your cast iron pipes but don’t know the source of the issue, a pro may conduct a sewer line inspection to pinpoint the exact location of the plumbing problem and strategically replace just the problematic cast iron pipes.
To remove old pipes, your pro may need to demolish and repair your walls, ceiling, yard, or pavement to access the pipes. This can greatly increase the cost of the project. Here are a few price estimates depending on the type of preparation needed to remove cast iron pipes:
Ceiling repair costs: $450–$1,700
Drywall repair cost: $300–$925
Trench cost: $400–$1,200
Plumbing permits cost anywhere from $50 to $500. You may need a permit for a major plumbing project such as replacing plumbing external plumbing lines or lines under a foundation. It’s a good idea to check with your local building department to see if you need to get a permit first. You can also ask your plumber if they can obtain a permit for you. Many plumbers include getting permits as part of their plumbing replacement quotes.
Junk removal costs range from $60 and $700 on average and depend on the number of pipes you’re replacing. While some pros offer removal services for the old pipes, others might use a third party or refer you to a junk removal company in your area.
You'll pay more per linear foot to have a plumber work in hard-to-reach areas of your home. For example, if your cast iron pipes are in the crawl space, under your foundation, or require trenching and landscaping services, then you'll likely pay on the higher end of the price range than an easily accessible area like under the kitchen sink.
Remember that if your cast iron pipe replacement project requires repairing drywall and other structures in your house, it can further increase the cost of your project.
Hiring a local plumber to replace cast iron pipes increases your project cost by 25% to 50%, or by $75 to $300 for a typical 30-foot cast iron pipe. However, for most cast iron pipe replacement projects, it’s well worth the cost of hiring a pro—and in some municipalities, you may be required by law to have a licensed plumber complete the work.
Replacing cast iron pipes can be a lengthy, hands-on process. Here’s why you should hire a pro for this project:
Professional plumbers have the expertise to replace cast iron pipes safely.
A pro also has the proper equipment and connectors for this project.
If the pipes are under a slab, a pro can replace them without damaging the concrete, saving you money.
Licensed plumbers will know whether you need a permit for your project and can usually obtain one for you.
A pro can more easily access hard-to-reach pipes than the average homeowner.
Reputable plumbers offer warranties and carry insurance.
DIYing this project can save you money, but it’s not for the inexperienced. However, you can take on certain aspects of the project to decrease your budget, such as the following:
Prep work, such as clearing your yard, can improve accessibility.
Fixing small leaks with patching compound or epoxy putty.
Draining the pipes before the pro gets there.
Replacing cast iron pipes may not be your only option if you’re hoping to save money—in some cases, you can repair your cast iron pipes. Main water repair costs are $300 to $1,100 less than replacing the pipes, ranging from $350 to $1,700 on average.
You’ll need to consider the age and condition of your cast iron pipes and have a professional plumber inspect the pipes to determine if repairing vs. replacing the plumbing is possible. Pipes that are more than 25 years old, or pipes that have extensive damage, are better off replacing entirely. A good rule of thumb is the 50% rule. If repairing cast iron exceeds 50% of your replacement cost, your best bet is to replace them.
Before you take out the checkbook and sign off on a price, these tips could help you save on the cost of replacing cast iron pipes.
Conduct a sewer line inspection to replace or repair the pipes that need it rather than all cast iron pipes.
Clear your yard or home to make replacing cast iron pipes more accessible to your pros.
Repairing cast iron pipes that are still in decent condition and aren’t over 25 years old can help you save on the cost of replacing the pipes entirely.
Use a trenchless sewer replacement method to avoid extra trenching and landscaping repair costs.
Consider replacing your cast iron pipes with a more budget-friendly replacement material like PVC.
Check your homeowners insurance policy or HOA to see if they’ll cover damage associated with your cast iron pipes.
Replacing old, outdated cast iron pipes can definitely increase your home’s value, but just how much ROI you’ll see depends on many factors, including:
Safety: If your old pipes have caused water leaks, mold issues, or worse, structural problems, then replacing these faulty pipes and repairing the damage they caused will increase your property’s value.
Functionality: Cast iron pipes aren’t common in newer constructions because they’re prone to rust and corrosion, blockages, the freeze-thaw cycle, and breakages over time. If you live in a colder region, here’s a winter plumbing tip: replacing outdoor cast iron pipes with PEX pipes could give you the biggest return on your investment, as your pipes are less likely to freeze and burst.
Efficiency: If you replace cast iron pipes with copper, you could see a larger ROI because copper is durable and can handle hot water or cold temperatures.
Be ready to discuss your plumbing issues with a pro before making the call.
Research different types of pipe, such as PVC, to get an idea of your budget for the pipe replacement.
Ask your pro whether you need to replace all cast iron pipes or if you can just patch leaky areas.
Home is the most important place on earth, which is why Angi has helped more than 150 million homeowners transform their houses into homes they adore. To help homeowners with their next project, Angi provides readers with the most accurate cost data and upholds strict editorial standards. We extensively research project costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We rely on reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects.
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Positive experience. As previously stated, the replacement/repair could not be completed (no fault of the plumbing tech) b/c misinformation was rec?d by property management maintenance. Thanks to the plumbing tech for your efforts. Appreciate you!
The WaterworksIf you want to pay the most exorbitant prices possible for your job, this is the company for you. “By the job” pricing is a rip-off, at least how these people use it. Every job is plugged into a category and prices are set by category. You might have a job that takes half an hour or one that...
Benjamin Franklin PlumbingCole has been handling plumbing and general contracting for our four properties over the past three years, and he’s always done a great job. Most recently, he installed a sink and countertop in our retail store where none existed before, and it turned out exactly how we needed. He’s...
ANB Renovations LLCMatt is a consummate professional. The work turned out to be far more difficult than expected and rather than turn the job down, Matt rose to the occasion and completed a near impossible task. I can not recommend Greene's Plumbing Service more highly. On a scale of 1-5 I would give Matt a...
Greene's Plumbing ServiceInvolved an extensive bathroom remodel, including removing tub & installing walk in shower, new drywall, custome tile work to ceiling, plumbing, etc. Overall, job was done on time and on budget. Nick & his team were very professional and had high attention to detail. Quality was great. Highly...
Stamos Flooring and Remodeling LLCAwesome company. Had a jacuzzi tub taken out and replaced with huge walk in shower with partial glass enclosure. Onyx to the ceiling with a decorative border, moved plumbing and installed hand held shower, new ceiling, flooring, and paint. Replaced window with glass block. Everything was done...
Columbus Bath DesignThe initial quoted price from a walk-through seemed high, but we discussed that the quote represented worst case scenario (re-wiring to two floors) and we were excited about the opportunity to have the work done in a timely manner with closing for fire safety reasons, etc. When the job was...
Initially, I called the Service People to have a leaking garbage disposal replaced. I had purchased a special deal through Angie's List: $79 for $200-worth of plumbing services. <br /> When I went to schedule the work, the earliest date I could get through Angie's List was after the upcoming...
This company did a very good job on the brick wall and it looks just amazing. The staff was always professional and was practically OCD on how the bricks were stacked and how they were laid. Although it took longer than expected, I am willing to sacrifice time over perfection anyday. The...
My Handy Mate LLC Improvement & Remodeling<p>I am so glad we called Rotor-Rooter. I was hesitant to call them because we usually prefer to give business to local providers. But when we had sewage back up in our basement on a Saturday evening, I had a hard time getting a hold of someone, not to mention the high weekend/evening rate...
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