Plumbing costs depend on your project and location. Check with a local pro for your specific job.
Grinder pump installation costs range from $1,500 to $5,000, and your pump type and power setup set total.
Your uphill sewage distance and your grinder pump’s power needs affect trenching, wiring, and overall installation difficulty.
You should budget $500 to $1,000 for a sewage lift pump plus electrical upgrades for your grinder pump.
Hiring a local plumbing professional prevents electrical hazards and ensures your grinder pump connects safely to your sewage system.
Installing a grinder pump costs anywhere from $1,500 to $5,000, but the average price is $3,000. A grinder pump isn’t exactly glamorous, but it is important for many households. Grinder pumps mash sewage waste from your home into a fine slurry, which is transferred to a septic tank or central sewer system. If this sounds a lot like a garbage disposal, that’s because the processes are fairly similar. Here’s how much you should budget for grinder pump installation based on several different cost factors.
Like many projects, grinder pump installation costs generally break down into two categories: materials and labor.
The biggest cost factor here will be the grinder pump itself.
| Type | Average Cost | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Centrifugal pump | $300–$1,500 | Standard option, easy to operate, rarely break down |
| Semi-positive displacement (SPD) pump | $2,000–$2,500 | Highly efficient, better for larger applications where vertical distance is a challenge |
A brand new grinder pump starts at just $300, but these are more affordable models with plastic cutting blades. The average price for a mid-level conventional grinder pump is $1,000 to $2,500.
It can be hard to find a good plumber, but I found one! I've hired Nick with Plumb Poppin twice and was extremely pleased with both jobs he completed for me. One of the jobs required busting through our slab to replace pipes that had gone bad. He took the time to explain what he had to do to fix the problem, and patiently answered my questions. It was a messy job and he cleaned the areas afterward so well you couldn't even tell the work had been done. He also installed a water filtration system for me. He was on time, has an excellent attitude, is very knowledgeable and quick thinking if a problem pops up. (I live in an older house.) His prices are more than reasonable and he backs up his work! I wouldn't hesitate to hire him, and will be using his services for any future issues I have.
There is also labor to consider, as some units will attach easily to pre-existing sewage systems. Others will need new lines, new pressure systems, and, in some cases, additions to the household power system.
Once you have purchased a unit, the installation will add another $500 to $1,500 to the overall cost. Installation mainly involves labor, including digging out an appropriate space for the grinder pump and any associated pressure-building connections.
A local plumber may also have to run some plumbing lines between the grinder pump and the rest of the sewage system. The average cost to install a sewer line ranges from $50 to $250 per linear foot.
Beyond the pump itself and labor, you may have to factor in some additional costs to get your final price.
Not all grinder pumps are equal when it comes to their ability to lift and move waste. Your system may need a bit more “get up and go” to ensure the slurry arrives at its desired location as quickly and efficiently as possible. In this case, you’ll need a sewage lift pump that works in concert with the grinder pump.
A low-head lift pump starts at around $500 and increases to $1,000. Your preferred technician will look at your system and let you know if you can get by without an additional lift pump.
Grinder pumps are extremely powerful, obliterating even the toughest of hygiene and waste products. In other words, they use up a lot of power. High-powered grinder pumps use 1HP to 2HP of power, and your home system may not like this power draw.
Hiring an electrician near you to upgrade your household power system costs $1,000 to $3,000. If you live in an average-sized home, you can get by with a grinder pump that uses less power, somewhere in the one-half HP range. Talk to your sewer system specialist to find out if a low-powered grinder will suit your needs.
Now here is some good news: Grinder pumps may have an insatiable hunger for power, but they also include sensors that allow the pump to operate only when filled to a predetermined threshold. Energy bills increase with a grinder pump, but only by around $30 because of this design.
Additionally, grinder pumps require minimal maintenance. Traditional septic systems need to be routinely pumped to clear out any lingering waste, but grinder pumps do this on their own. With regular use, you’ll have to hire a specialist to take a look at your grinder pump just once every eight to 10 years.
You should not install a grinder pump on your own. Installation is complex and often requires working with electricity, which is very dangerous for anyone not licensed and trained in electrical work. Improperly installed grinder pumps can cause a ton of damage to your home down the road, too.
A qualified contractor can source the pump, acquire any necessary permits, excavate the ground for the pump and associated components, and safely run it to the rest of your sewage system. Additionally, a specialist may outsource any other work you may need, such as upgrading a power line.
Sewage system specialists charge, on average, $75 to $100 per hour, and installing a grinder pump takes anywhere from six to 10 hours of work (not exactly an easy day’s DIY).
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Initially, I called the Service People to have a leaking garbage disposal replaced. I had purchased a special deal through Angie's List: $79 for $200-worth of plumbing services. <br /> When I went to schedule the work, the earliest date I could get through Angie's List was after the upcoming...
This company did a very good job on the brick wall and it looks just amazing. The staff was always professional and was practically OCD on how the bricks were stacked and how they were laid. Although it took longer than expected, I am willing to sacrifice time over perfection anyday. The...
My Handy Mate LLC Improvement & Remodeling<p>I am so glad we called Rotor-Rooter. I was hesitant to call them because we usually prefer to give business to local providers. But when we had sewage back up in our basement on a Saturday evening, I had a hard time getting a hold of someone, not to mention the high weekend/evening rate...
Roto-Rooter Plumbing & Water CleanupFrom average costs to expert advice, get all the answers you need to get your job done.
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