Cost to Install a Sewer Line in Baltimore [2026 Data]
Septic tank service costs depend on your project and location. Check with a local pro for your specific job.
PVC is the most common choice for sewer line replacement in Baltimore.
Historic homes may have outdated cast-iron, clay, or Orangeburg piping you’ll want to replace.
Trenching will significantly raise the cost of your installation because pipes must be buried deeper to prevent freezing.
Permits for installation are only granted to plumbers licensed in Baltimore County.
As a historic city, Baltimore, Maryland, has aging sewer lines, with some dating back 100 years. Over time, these old lines break and have to be replaced. The cost to install a sewer line in Baltimore is $3,436 on average, with most homeowners spending between $1,831 and $5,041. Price out your installation by including the most significant cost factors.
Sewer Line Installation Cost Factors
There are a few common signs that you need a sewer line replacement—like frequent plumbing backups, slow-draining fixtures, gurgling sounds, and lush patches of grass in your yard.
If you have an older home in Baltimore, Maryland, and haven’t updated the exterior plumbing, you should hire a local sewer service as soon as you start to notice issues. The cost of a replacement will depend on a few factors.
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.
Sewer Line Cost per Linear Foot
The average cost to install a sewer line ranges from $50 to $250 per linear foot, with an average of $80 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.
| Installation Size (Linear Feet) | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| 10 | $800 |
| 20 | $1,600 |
| 40 | $3,200 |
| 60 | $4,700 |
| 80 | $6,300 |
| 100 | $7,800 |
| 150 | $11,700 |
| 200 | $15,600 |
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 $3 to $20 per linear foot. PVC pipes are the most common type of sewer pipe in Baltimore, but older homes may have cast iron, clay, or Orangeburg pipes (the latter is no longer used).
If only a portion of your sewer line is damaged, your plumber might replace that section with the same type of material. If you have an older home with outdated materials, they may recommend upgrading the whole line to PVC or ABS pipes. When choosing a material, consider how long each option will last.
Reference the following chart to estimate how much you’ll pay per linear foot and type of pipe:
| Type of Sewer Pipe | Cost per Linear Foot (Material Only) | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|
| PVC | $3–$10 | Ideal for outdoor use, won’t corrode, affordable, and easy to install | Less strong than metal piping, sensitive to temperature changes, and can become brittle in cold weather |
| ABS | $5–$15 | Ideal for outdoor use, performs well in freezing weather, affordable, and easy to install | UV sensitivity, BPA content can leech into water, and it is not as strong as metal piping |
| Cast iron | $20–$75 | Long lifespan, high strength and durability, and not flammable | Heavy, prone to rust and corrosion, and costly to repair and replace |
| Copper | $30–$100 | Long lifespan, highly durable, lightweight, and easy to install | High cost and prone to freezing and corrosion when exposed to acidic water |
| Clay | $50–$60 | Resistant to chemical degradation, durable, and eco-friendly | Vulnerable to tree roots, heavy, difficult to cut, and prone to cracks |
Demolition and Prep
One of the biggest factors impacting your sewer line replacement cost is whether it requires trenching. In Baltimore, where winters are cold, sewer lines may need to be buried deeper to prevent freezing when the temperature dips. You can also opt for a trenchless sewer repair to save on labor costs.
Demolition and land prep costs include:
Trenching: $10–$50 per linear foot
Pipe disposal (for replacements only): $250
Boulder removal cost: $650–$1,200 per boulder
Tree removal cost: $200–$2,000 per tree
Pavement removal cost: $8–$15 per square foot
Sewer Line Installation Pro Costs
You’ll need to find a professional plumber who’s licensed in Baltimore County before you can install a sewer line, or you won’t get a permit for the job otherwise. Labor costs can add a significant amount to the total cost, especially if you need to excavate. Here’s how the costs shake out.
Permits and Regulations
Baltimore County requires a permit for excavation and plumbing system replacement or installation. Though costs vary, they range between $80 and $235. Your contractor will handle this part of the job.
After the work is completed, you’ll need to pay $30 for a sewer line inspection to make sure the job is up to code.
Labor
On average, plumbing contractors in Baltimore charge $80 to $95 per hour for their services. Costs could rise if heavy clay soil or shifting sand (prevalent near the Patapsco River) complicate the excavation. Contractors must hold a license from the Maryland Board of Plumbing.
Does Sewer Line Installation Increase Home Value?
Sewer line installation doesn’t increase your home value, but it can help you retain it. Buyers can be turned off by the prospect of a high-cost sewer line replacement. Therefore, if your existing line is damaged—or you live in one of Baltimore’s older homes and your exterior plumbing hasn’t been updated—a sewer pro can update your sewer line to pass a plumbing inspection.
Your pro can also suggest regular maintenance tasks to keep your sewer line in the best condition possible.
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.
Septic tank services reviews from real Angi homeowners in Baltimore, MD
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I hired ETS to remove an old oil tank under my porch. They did it quickly, without complications.
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Ryan is exactly the type of person I was looking for. He was very honest regarding his analysis of what was wrong. It turns out it was a valve rather than the tank. So it was much less expensive especially since initially I thought the hot water heater may replacement. He was prompt and...
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They removed the tank very very quickly
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