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Cost to Install a Sewer Line in Boston [2025 Data]
Normal Range: $1,066 - $5,160
Most people pay $3,113 to install a sewer line in Boston, Massachusetts, but depending on materials and labor costs in your area, you may end up paying between $1,066 and $5,160.
How we get this data
Photo: Ursula Page / Adobe Stock
Photo: Ursula Page / Adobe Stock
Highlights
Boston’s historic neighborhoods have narrow streets and older infrastructure that can complicate access, raising labor costs for a sewer line project.
Winter weather may shift soil and put pressure on pipes, so durable materials are a smart investment.
Permit fees in Boston run higher than in the suburbs because of regulations and inspection requirements.
Consider trenchless installation to speed up work in congested areas and under concrete, even if the up-front price is steeper.
In a city like Boston, Massachusetts, where cobblestone streets meet modern skyscrapers, underground plumbing work isn’t easy. The cost to install a sewer line in Boston averages $3,113, and costs range between $1,066 and $5,160. Historic buildings with old foundations, unpredictable New England weather, and the high cost of living and labor all play a role in the total cost. Understanding what impacts those numbers can help you budget with confidence.
Sewer Line Installation Cost Factors
Sewer line services in Boston, Massachusetts, are a multilayered process. Installing or replacing a sewer line means budgeting for standard expenses like materials and labor as well as factors that are unique to the city’s age, construction, and climate.
Sewer Line Cost per Linear Foot
The average cost to install a sewer line in Boston ranges from $50 to $250 per linear foot. Sewer line pipes are about 5 inches in diameter and run underneath your yard from your house to the main sewer drain.
| Length (Feet) | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| 25 | $1,250–$6,250 |
| 50 | $2,500–$12,500 |
| 75 | $3,750–$18,750 |
| 100 | $5,000–$25,000 |
While the local water and sewer agency is responsible for maintaining the sewer main, homeowners are responsible for maintaining and repairing the sewer lateral on their property. The sewer commission offers a Sewer Lateral Financial Assistance Program to help property owners keep sewer lines working correctly.
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 $2.50 to $20 per linear foot, and installation costs can reach $50 to $250 per linear foot. Factor in the type of piping material to get a closer estimate of how much you’ll pay.
| Piping Material | Pros | Cons | Average Cost (Per Linear Foot) |
|---|---|---|---|
| PVC | Lightweight, inexpensive, resists corrosion | Brittle in freezing temperatures | $2.50–$11 |
| ABS | Stronger than PVC, resists warping | More expensive, not to code in some areas | $5–12 |
| Cast iron | Durable, quieter than other options | Heavy, expensive, prone to rust | $12–$20 |
| HDPE | Flexible, resists cracking | Requires special installation equipment | $3–$8 |
Boston’s climate can be harsh—snowy winters, spring thaws, and storms from the Northeast winds all take a toll on sewer lines. Therefore, the type of sewer pipe you choose is essential to installing a system that works for years to come.
If you live in an older neighborhood in Boston, your existing sewer lines may be made from clay or outdated cast iron. Upgrading to a modern material can help prevent future breaks caused by frost heave, soil movement, or too much water pressure.
Demolition and Prep
Before your sewer line contractor can install your new line, they need to access the existing one. However, many Boston neighborhoods are tightly packed, and the historic nature of some buildings and streets can make demolition and prep the most unpredictable part of the job.
Trenching cost: Budget about $800 per 100 linear feet to dig the trench for your new sewer line. However, costs will likely rise if your contractor has to excavate by hand due to narrow access or to protect historic landscaping or paving.
Boulder removal cost: Some Boston yards hide glacial rocks under the soil, so be prepared to pay $650–$1,200 per large stone.
Tree removal cost: The roots of mature maples and oaks lining older streets can become entangled with sewer pipes. If your contractor needs to remove them, plan to spend $200–$2,000 per tree.
Pavement removal cost: If your driveway, sidewalk, or brick walkway needs to be cut for access, budget $8–$15 per square foot for removal. Replacing them will add to the cost.
The Boston Water and Sewer Commission may also require that you hire traffic control or police details during street work, and the costs vary widely. Your contractor can guide you through the process if it’s necessary.
Sewer Line Installation Pro Costs
In addition to the above factors, the total cost of a sewer line installation in Boston, Massachusetts, depends on the size of the job, labor, permits, and regulation fees.
Labor
As with most large home construction projects, the overall cost of a sewer line installation or repair depends heavily on the cost of labor. Labor rates in Boston are on the higher side due to the city’s higher cost of living. Licensed plumbers and excavation pros charge $100 to $200 per hour for labor alone. However, the rate can increase if your job is more complicated than average.
For example, if you’re installing a sewer line during the winter when cold-weather conditions make the ground harder to dig or snow removal is part of the job, rates can climb by 50% or more. On the flipside, trenchless sewer line installation can cost more per hour, but it’s quick and doesn’t disrupt what’s aboveground, saving on total time and landscaping repairs. Your sewer line repair pro in Boston, Massachusetts, will help you understand their fee structure and give you an estimate based on the specifics of your job.
Permits and Regulations
If you live in Boston, city regulations require that you apply for and receive a permit before working on your sewer line. In most cases, permits come from the Boston Water and Sewer Commission and cost between $100 and $500, depending on the scope and size of the job.
You’ll also have to pay for work inspections during and after installation. If you live in a neighborhood with a homeowners association (HOA), you’ll need to coordinate with the city and the HOA to make sure the work meets codes and other requirements. In historic districts, the work may also need additional reviews that can add time and fees to the job.
Does Sewer Line Installation Increase Home Value?
In Boston, a properly functioning sewer connection is a selling point as much as a necessity. While you might not recoup the entire sewer line replacement cost, a new line helps avoid red flags during inspection, especially if it addresses and eliminates existing plumbing problems. Replacing an aging or failing sewer line also protects your home’s structural integrity and prevents the expense of sewage backups in your home—as well as preventing the foul odors and slow drains that come with a blockage.
Pro Tip
A few warning signs that something is wrong with your system include a constant gurgling, slow-flushing toilets, bad odors, flooding in the yard, and a washing machine that's not draining properly (your clothes are still soaking wet after the spin cycle). Reach out to a pro if you think something may be wrong.
Peace of mind: Older Boston homes have aging lateral sewer pipes that are prone to backups. Replacing the line removes a major inspection red flag and can help assure buyers that the home’s plumbing system is safe and functional. Plus, they won’t have to worry about repairing or replacing it for years to come.
Functionality and reduced maintenance: Modern pipes are less likely to crack from frost heave, tree roots, or shifting soil. This means fewer emergency calls and lower repair costs, and that can appeal to budget-conscious or risk-averse buyers.
Marketability: In popular neighborhoods where homes are in high demand, sewer upgrades can eliminate a common reason for price cuts. This can mean more offers, faster sales, and less time waiting for the sale to be final.
Flood-prone protection: Homes in coastal neighborhoods benefit from newer, watertight sewer pipe connections that withstand high groundwater and tidal flooding. A new sewer line can help make your home more attractive to buyers who are concerned about how the weather can impact homes.
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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