How Much Does Sewer Line Replacement Cost in Denver? [2026 Data]

Sewer line replacement in Denver, Colorado costs an average of $4,231, with most homeowners spending between $2,364 and $6,098 depending on excavation method and pipe length. Mile High City homeowners contend with Denver's 60-inch frost line, requiring sewer lines to be buried deeper than in warmer climates. The city's high elevation also affects water pressure and appliance performance in ways coastal areas don't experience.

Sewer Line Replacement Cost Factors 

The pipe material you select impacts both upfront costs and long-term performance in Colorado's extreme conditions. Modern PVC and ABS options provide superior durability compared to aging cast iron pipes common in Denver, Colorado's older homes. The pipe length required when replacing the sewer line from your house to the main directly affects project scope, especially when it involves longer runs through mature landscaping. 

Pipe Material

The three most common pipes used for sewer lines are PVC (the most budget-friendly option), ABS (the mid-range option), and copper (the most expensive). Each has its own cost range and preferred use case scenario. In rarer cases, cast iron is used as a sewer pipe material. 

Here’s how sewer line replacement costs are affected by pipe material:

Pipe Length

The cost of running a new sewer pipe ranges from $50 to $250 per linear foot, with an average price of $150 per linear foot, which includes both materials and labor. Your sewer pipes extend from the house to a street-adjacent city hookup, and the distance depends on your specific neighborhood and property. The further your house is from the hookup, the longer the sewer pipes and the higher the costs.

Of course, the entire length of the pipe may not require replacement, so discuss options with your pro. If you keep up with maintenance, like cleaning your sewer drain regularly, you may only need to repair or replace a section of your sewer line. 

Type of Replacement

A partial replacement will be the most affordable option, with complete replacement and replacing burst pipes ranging from $60 to $250 per linear foot. Here’s how costs break down by type of sewer line replacement:

Sewer Line Replacement Pro Costs

Professional sewer line contractors in Denver charge premium rates for their essential expertise in dealing with Colorado's challenging underground conditions. You'll also need to account for Denver-specific permitting requirements based on project valuation and the increased costs of excavating through hardened bentonite clay layers.

Labor

Plumber labor in Denver runs $45 to $200 per hour, on average, with sewer work hitting the higher end of that range. Project costs are typically higher for trenching or excavation crews, as plumbers need to enlist laborers to help. Labor will make up the biggest component of total per-foot costs, depending on depth, access, and restoration needs. Trenchless sewer line piping costs more per foot, but it saves on restoration costs. 

It's important to work with experienced professionals who understand Denver's expansive soils, extreme weather fluctuations, and altitude-related plumbing considerations. This ensures your project meets city codes while protecting your property from future failures in Colorado's demanding environment.

Permits

For residential plumbing projects in Denver, permit fees are based on the valuation of the work. Homeowners should budget at least $400 to $1,000 for standard plumbing and sewer-lateral permits, inspections, and administrative fees for typical single-family replacements.

Residential replacement projects typically require coordination with Denver Public Works if the lateral crosses the right-of-way. All work must meet Denver building codes and pass city inspections before final approval, ensuring compliance with Colorado's strict plumbing standards and local amendments specific to the Mile High City's unique conditions.

Front-Range Soils

Colorado's most significant geologic hazard is expansive or swelling soil laced with layers of bentonite that cause significant property damage. The powerful force of expansion is capable of exerting extremely high pressure on foundations, slabs, and underground pipes. You may notice signs of a clogged sewer line because the pipe's integrity has been compromised. 

Installed costs for sewer line replacements trend higher with slower and more expensive excavation compared to warmer-climate cities. Excavating here requires specialized equipment, significantly increasing labor costs compared to digging in sandy or loamy soils.

Frost Line Depth

Denver’s frost depth is one of the deepest in the nation, requiring sewer lines to be buried much deeper than in warmer climates. Like the region's soil composition, the frost line increases excavation costs and project complexity. 

Winter excavations become particularly challenging when the ground freezes, sometimes requiring ground-thawing equipment or scheduling delays until spring. The freeze-thaw cycle puts additional stress on aging sewer pipes, with water infiltrating small cracks, freezing, expanding, and causing further damage.

Does Sewer Line Replacement Increase Home Value?

Sewer line replacement serves as critical infrastructure maintenance rather than a value-adding improvement in Denver's competitive real estate market. While you won't see dramatic returns, Denver residents can recover 35% to 50% of sewer line replacement costs when they sell their homes. 

A functioning modern sewer system protects your property from catastrophic damage and eliminates inspection red flags that commonly derail home sales in Denver. A recent replacement demonstrates proactive maintenance and provides essential peace of mind to potential buyers who may otherwise have sewer questions.

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. 

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