Pipe Installation Cost Breakdown
Not all leaks, burst pipes, and signs of corrosion call for replacing large amounts of plumbing. In many cases, a plumber can replace a small section of the pipe affected by the damage. Burst pipe repair costs, for example, only account for replacing the concentrated affected area. However, some jobs are more complicated than others, and materials play a large role in pipe replacement prices.
Pipe Type
Generally speaking, there are three main types of piping used in modern installations, each with its own cost ranges, advantages, and disadvantages.
Chlorinated Polyvinylchloride Piping (CPVC): CPVC costs about $0.50 to $1 per linear foot. It's a rigid, time-tested pipe used since the 1960s, but it is prone to leaks due to improper fittings, lower-quality manufacturing processes, or incorrect installation. However, it does not corrode and can be an inexpensive alternative to copper when used correctly. It lasts anywhere from 50 to 75 years.
Polyethylene (PEX) Piping: PEX Pipe runs between $0.40 and $2 per linear foot. PEX is a flexible tubing, made from crosslinked HDPE (high-density polyethylene) polymer and is great for small sections of repair or full replacements. It does not corrode, leak, or burst like other pipes. It's also great for in-floor heating and new construction and can be coupled to any other material type. Keep in mind that PEX piping can still freeze, so you'll need to properly insulate the pipes to prevent breakage. Also, it may not integrate with every pre-existing system, so be sure to inquire with your pro. PEX tubes last anywhere from 80 to 100 years.
Copper Piping: Copper pipes cost $2 to $8 per linear foot for the materials alone, depending on the diameter of the tube, and can have a higher plumbing installation cost when you compare copper pipe to PEX or CPVC. It’s more expensive than plastic but has decades of successful use in homes across the country and is accepted by all building codes. Copper piping is recyclable, UV resistant, and does not leach harmful bacteria. It is also reliable in natural disasters. However, copper pipes can freeze and corrode, so you'll still need to know how to handle a burst pipe. Copper pipes last 50 to 100 years.
Fixture
New water pipe installation projects are bid by the fixture, like a bathtub, sink, or toilet. The price will vary depending on how much of the plumbing requires replacement and the cause of the damage. For example, the average cost to repair a leaking pipe starts at $150, but the price depends on where the pipe lives. Expect to pay anywhere from $70 to $1,000 per fixture.
Let's look at a few examples and the related water pipe replacement costs:
Kitchen sink repair costs: $150–$500
Toilet pipe repair costs: $70–$700
Water main line repair costs: $350–$1,600
Bathroom sink repair: $200–$800
Labor
A primary cost factor in your total pipe installation costs comes down to labor. Hiring a plumber costs between $45 to $200 per hour, though some plumbers will charge a flat service fee to cover travel and supplies.
Pipe replacement will take anywhere from two to three hours for a simple job and several days for complex repairs. For example, replacing a series of pipes behind drywall will increase the size and timeline of the job. Plumbers may also charge extra for complex jobs involving old pipes, significant clogs, or hard-to-access areas.
Factors That Affect Water Pipe Replacement Costs
It’s not just pipes, labor, and fixtures—there are some other factors to consider when pricing out the cost of replacing a single pipe or the plumbing for a small project. Be sure to ask a plumber for a quote for your specific plumbing needs.
Removing Old Pipes
If the pipes in question contain hazardous materials such as lead, galvanized steel, or polybutylene, you will likely need to remove these old materials before installing new plumbing. When it comes to smaller projects like these, most plumbers will incorporate the cost of removal and pipe disposal into their estimate by adding additional time or including the removal in their flat fee.
The primary cost factor when removing old pipes comes down to related excavation. A plumber may need to remove drywall or part of the ceiling to reach corroded pipes. Repairing a ceiling costs $300 to $1,000, and repairing drywall costs $300 to $800—but we'll go into this more below.
Replacing or Installing a Water Line
The main water line is the primary pipe that delivers drinking water to your home. In most cases, it runs underground from the water utility line to the foundation.
Pipe replacement costs in this case are much higher than simply swapping out a pipe behind the bathroom sink. Your plumbing pro may have to perform extensive excavation to replace a water line as well as piping materials that can cost up to $10 per linear foot. Overall, you'll pay an average of $1,700 for the cost of main water line replacement.
Inspections
If you're concerned about how to find a leak in your pipes, calling a plumber for an inspection is your best bet for catching it. Most plumbers charge a basic flat service fee to come out to your house to take a look, an average of $150. You can also schedule a full home plumbing inspection for an average of $200, but this involves quick overview inspections to ensure your overall system is in top shape.
Additionally, sewer line inspections are in a category of their own. The cost of a sewer line camera inspection, for example, averages $700 and is only necessary if you're concerned about a major clog or crack.
Access to Plumbing
Accessibility greatly affects how much time and energy will be required to replace a pipe. A plumber may need to remove a portion of a wall or ceiling to access the pipe in question, and in some cases, call in an electrician to work around the wiring. Hard-to-reach pipe replacement costs can push up to $2,000 when you need to remove major barriers to finish the work. Pipes out in the open—such as under your sink or in your basement—may cost as little as $150 to replace.
Some specific examples of difficult-to-access areas include main water line replacement, pipe replacement below hardwood floors, or rerouting pipes below a concrete slab foundation.
Repairs to Walls, Ceilings, and Floors
If you open up your walls, ceiling, and floors to access a pipe, you need to close it back up again. Plumbers may or may not offer assistance with this work. In most cases, you will need to bring in a separate contractor or patch the area yourself. Call on ceiling repair contractors, a team of local interior painters, or—if you broke through a particularly fancy wall—a nearby handyperson to rehang the wallpaper. Here are some related costs to repairing these areas:
Drywall large hole repair: $50–$75 per square foot
Ceiling repair: $45–$90 per square foot
Floor repair: $2–$30 per square foot
Paint an interior room: $2–$6 per square foot
How Pipe Replacement Costs Vary by Location
Material costs and labor vary by location, so it’s important to speak with a local plumber to get an accurate quote. Speaking with at least three plumbers can help you get the best quote. Plumbing a home will cost more in populated urban areas than in suburban locations, though remote and rural areas may feature an increased price range if homes are far away from the water main. Here are some price estimates for several locations throughout the U.S.
| Location | Average Price |
|---|---|
| Minneapolis | $1,130 |
| Seattle | $2,090 |
| Dallas | $970 |
| Long Island, NY | $960 |
| Chicago | $1,430 |
Lawrence Bonk contributed to this piece.
