Septic tank service costs depend on your project and location. Check with a local pro for your specific job.
If your clay sewer pipe in St. Louis fails, you may have to install a new sewer line.
Only Master Plumbers or Drainlayers certified by the city can obtain plumbing permits.
The Metropolitan Sewer District’s Sewer Lateral Repair Program can help cover certain repair costs.
Whether you need to replace your existing sewer lateral or install one for new construction, the cost to install a sewer line in St. Louis averages $2,055. In St. Louis, sewer laterals are commonly made of clay, which lasts between 70 and 100 years before it degrades—therefore many sewer laterals are or will be in need of replacement. Depending on various factors, including material, demolition and prep, and labor, the cost range falls between $873 and $3,306.
Break down the cost factors as you build your budget and consider how they’ll affect the final cost of the project.
Sewer installation cost factors in St. Louis, Missouri, include linear footage, materials, demolition, and site prep costs. A sewer pro can provide a cost estimate based on the specifics of your project.
The average cost to install a sewer line 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.
See the table below for a cost breakdown based on the linear footage.
| Length (Feet) | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| 25 | $1,250–$6,250 |
| 50 | $2,500–$12,500 |
| 75 | $3,750–$18,750 |
| 100 | $5,000–$25,000 |
To install a sewer line, you’ll need to purchase the pipes that connect the main sewer drain to your home. New pipes cost around $3 to $20 per linear foot. Factor in the type of piping material, pros and cons, and cost per linear foot.
| Type of Pipe | Average Cost (Per Linear Foot) | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clay | $50–$60 | Durable, resistant to corrosion and chemicals, long-lasting | Common in older homes, likely needs to be replaced, prone to cracking and tree root intrusion |
| PVC | $0.50–$5 | Most affordable, allows for faster flow and reduced blockages | Can collapse under heavy loads without proper installation, susceptible to damage from extreme temperatures |
| Cast iron | $2–$10 | Highly durable, performs well in areas with heavy surface traffic | Prone to rust and corrosion, heavy material makes labor more intensive |
| Copper | $20–$30 | High quality, long-lasting, lightweight, fire-resistant | Prone to corrosion, can freeze in cold temperatures |
| HDPE | $4–$6 | Used with trenchless methods, resistant to corrosion, tree root intrusion, and chemical damage | Flammable, higher cost for skilled labor and specialized techniques |
Trenching: $800 per 100 linear feet
Boulder removal cost: $650–$1,200 per boulder
Tree removal cost: $200–$2,000 per tree
Pavement removal cost: $8–$15 per square foot
Labor will account for a substantial portion of the cost to install a sewer line in St. Louis, but you should also factor in the permit costs and connection fees.
The City of St. Louis will only issue plumbing permits to Master Plumbers or Drainlayers certified by the city. Replacing or installing a sewer lateral requires a permit, so you’ll need to verify that your contractor holds the City Certificate. You can also verify this by calling the Plumbing Section. The connection permit to install a sewer line costs $75.
Connecting a single-family residence to the St. Louis Metropolitan Sewer District (MSD) costs about $1,150 for the connection fee. If there’s no existing wye (connection point), there’s an additional $300 tap fee to add one to the main sewer line.
If there’s not an existing public sewer accessible to the property, the homeowner is responsible for the costs of the design and construction to extend the public sewer and the cost to acquire any necessary easements.
Labor costs to install a sewer line in St. Louis vary based on the material—cast iron is more labor-intensive than PVC, for instance—as well as the amount of time the project takes and the professional’s rates. Sewer repair companies charge between $30 and $247 per linear foot. A sewer repair pro in St. Louis, Missouri, can estimate the cost of labor for the overall project.
The MSD offers a Sewer Lateral Repair Program (SLRP). The lateral line from the home to the main sewer line is technically private property. However, to avoid cave-ins, the city helps cover the cost of damage to the lateral line in the public right-of-way, which lies between the property line and the sewer main.
If you see a cave-in in this area, report it to the Citizens’ Service Bureau using their online system. If the inspector determines that repairs are necessary, you’ll need to submit a Residential Sewer Lateral Repair Application.
Unfortunately, installing a new sewer line doesn’t directly increase home value. But there’s a caveat—a damaged sewer line can reduce the home value. Installing a sewer line isn’t as exciting as remodeling a kitchen or installing a pool, but it’s crucial to the function of the home, and prospective buyers will often request a sewer inspection. If the inspection finds issues with the sewer lateral, you’ll have to fix them before the sale or potentially accept a lower sales price, so the next owner can cover repair costs.
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.
Al did a great job on our tub to shower conversion. Recommended by friends, he worked with RSI and Hoffman Plumbing to prepare an estimate, was very thorough and conscious of our budget. Working in tight space of our 4th floor condo, Bobby managed the demolition and disposal with minimal...
Had some roots in our lateral sewer main. They were very thorough and prompt with the work they performed. I would definitely recommend them to others.
Express Services Plumbing LLCThey were great gentlemen with their approach to my emergency situation I had after this party , they came in clean to clean I highly recommend this company.
Highly recommend! I had a sewer backup caused by the water companies contractor. Their insurance sent a crew and made a mess. I called Allied, and Will came out and was very honest and helpful. He worked with the insurance company and advocated for me to have the mold and asbestos removed the...
Allied EnvironmentalThis company is absolutely amazing ! Our neighbors highly recommended them to us & we are so glad they did! Not only were they prompt & reliable but they were very thorough & more than competitive! They gave us options & got the job done! They also checked in with us later to...
Diagnostic Heating & Cooling LLCCiro and his crew are the best! They showed up on schedule, did an incredible job of extending our driveway, and left the area clean. Very professional every way. We will be using them again.
CM RemodelingThis job does not match categories. We needed a pipe removed from the 1st floor bathroom and the natural gas pipe to the upper floors removed and capped. The service was excellent and the attention to detail and our specific needs was perfect. John got the job done rapidly and cleaned up the...
Weather Tight Interior An ExteriorTriple D's prices were very fair and Mr. Smith kept the scheduled appointments. He answered all of my questions. Smith was professional and respectful of my property and told me how to protect vulnerable parts of the wiring for the AC unit. Highly recommended
Triple D General Contracting, LLC1)immediate response to my online search 2) quoted great price for higher end equip w/better warranty 3) very knowledgeable about water heaters 4) replaced my 12 yr old WH in 2 hrs from his call back 5) thoroughly discussed specifics w/woman homeowner 6) checked whole house main water line...
Anytime Plumbing ServicesShowed up, fixed the leaky tank to bowl seal, works great now. <br />
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