The cost of converting a cesspool to a septic system depends on factors like labor, complexity, and materials. Use our guide to estimate your budget.
Cost to Install a Sewer Line in Indianapolis [2025 Data]
Normal Range: $1,703 - $6,342
Most people pay $3,956 to install a sewer line in Indianapolis, Indiana, but depending on materials and labor costs in your area, you may end up paying between $1,703 and $6,342.
How we get this data
Photo: Ursula Page / Adobe Stock
Photo: Ursula Page / Adobe Stock
Highlights
Sewer systems in Indianapolis are older, so sewer line replacements are common.
If you have old cast-iron pipes, switch to PVC or ABS, which can better handle Indiana’s soil conditions and weather.
You’ll need to hire a licensed contractor to take on this major project.
Homes with septic tanks impacted by the Citizen Energy Group’s STEP program are required to connect to the public sewers.
Many sewer lines in and around Indianapolis, Indiana, were installed in the late 1800s and early 1900s. With age comes a whole host of issues like root intrusion, corrosion, leaks, and sewage backups—eventually, all plumbing needs an update. If you’re dealing with this issue, the cost to install a sewer line in Indianapolis is $3,956 on average, with most homeowners spending between $1,703 and $6,342.
Sewer Line Installation Cost Factors
A significant portion of Indianapolis, Indiana, uses a combined sewer system that processes stormwater and wastewater. Coupled with the aging infrastructure, this can lead to issues like sewage backups when it rains. The city has been working to upgrade the public sewer system, but an old sewer line in your home could also be an issue.
Sewer line replacement costs depend on several factors, such as the type of pipes, size of the job, and land prep.
Sewer Line Cost per Linear Foot
The average cost to install a sewer line in Indianapolis ranges from $50 to $65 per linear foot, but it’s not uncommon for costs to rise to $250 per square foot if the installation is complex. Sewer line pipes are about 5 inches in diameter and run underneath your yard from your house to the main sewer drain.
| Installation Size (Linear Feet) | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| 10 | $500–$650 |
| 20 | $1,000–$1,300 |
| 40 | $2,000–$3,000 |
| 60 | $3,000–$3,900 |
| 80 | $4,000–$5,200 |
| 100 | $5,000–$6,500 |
Materials
To install a sewer line, you’ll need to purchase the pipes that connect the main sewer drain to your home. New pipes cost about $3 to $20 per linear foot, but you could spend more if you buy a specialized sewer pipe. In addition to the linear footage, factor in the type of piping material to get a closer estimate of your costs.
Many homes built before the 1980s in Indiana have cast-iron sewer pipes. Indiana’s soil's chemical composition, along with the freeze-thaw cycle in the winter and humidity in the summer, can corrode these pipes more quickly. While you can replace damaged sections of pipe, your sewer pro may recommend replacing the whole line with PVC or ABS, which are used more in modern construction.
| Type of Pipe | Cost per Linear Foot (Material Only) | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|
| PVC | $3–$10 | Affordable material and installation, resistant to corrosion and tree root intrusion | Can become brittle and freeze in cold temperatures, not as strong as metal piping |
| ABS | $5–$11 | Performs well in freezing temperatures, affordable, resistant to tree root intrusion | Contains BPA that can leech into water, noisier than PVC pipe |
| Cast-iron | $20–$75 | High strength, durability, and sound insulation | Prone to premature corrosion, costly repairs |
| Clay | $50–$60 | Resists chemical degradation, eco-friendly, durable | Vulnerable to tree roots, heavy and hard to install, prone to cracks, high cost |
Demolition and Prep
Land prep is one of the biggest factors that determine the cost of your sewer line installation. If you’re replacing your sewer line, you may want to opt for a trenchless installation, which helps you save on excavation and demolition costs. Excavation can be particularly tricky with Indianapolis’ high water table, which increases costs. Land prep costs are as follows:
Trenching: $4–$12 per linear foot
Old pipe removal (replacement only): $250
Boulder removal cost: $650–$1,200 per boulder
Tree removal cost: $100–$600 per tree
Pavement removal cost: $8–$15 per square foot
Sewer Line Installation Pro Costs
Since your sewer line installation will connect to a public utility, there are stringent regulations on who can perform the work and how. In Indianapolis, you’ll need to hire a licensed contractor. Here are what labor costs look like.
Permits and Regulations
A permit for a sewer connection costs about $250. If you’re swapping from a septic system or installing a sewer line in new construction, you’ll need to pay a $2,530 connection fee. When the job is done, you’ll need to pass an inspection.
Labor
Most sewer line repair pros in Indianapolis charge $60 to $80 per hour for their labor. They must be listed, insured, and bonded with the City of Indianapolis before taking on this kind of job.
Does Sewer Line Installation Increase Home Value?
A sewer line doesn’t have an impact on your home value as long as it’s working and in good condition. The only exception is if you live in an area that’s part of the Citizen Energy Group’s Septic Tank Elimination Program (STEP). This program requires homeowners with septic systems to connect to the public sewer, which comes at a cost that potential buyers may not want to shoulder.
Additionally, if you have an older sewer line that’s causing problems, you may not be able to command the full value of your home while it needs a potentially costly repair. In this case, call a pro and make sure your plumbing is good to go. Your issue could be as simple as cleaning the line, or you might need to invest $1,400 to $3,500 for the cost of installing a sewer cleanout. Depending on the condition of your system, your pro could recommend a full replacement.
How Angi Gets Its Cost Data
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 survey real Angi customers about their project costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We pair this data with research from 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.
Want to help us improve our cost data? Send us a recent project quote to [email protected]. Quotes and personal information will not be shared publicly.
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