How Much Does It Cost to Run or Fix a Gas Line?
Normal range: $272 - $936
On average, running a gas line costs $598, but prices can range from $272 to $936. This depends on the material and length of the pipe; repairing exisitng gas pipes costs less.
The average cost to run a natural gas line from a street to a house is $598, or about $15 to $25 per linear foot. This includes piping, materials, and the average hourly cost of a master plumber or gas line specialist of $45 to $150 per hour. For major repairs, like excavating a buried line, you might expect to pay up to $2,000. Gas leaks are a serious issue that you should handle immediately, so contact a professional as soon as possible.
- Average
- $598
- Low end
- $120
- high end
- $2,000
How Much Do Gas Pipes Cost by Type?
| Type of Pipe | Cost Range per Foot |
|---|---|
| CCST | $2 – $4 |
| PVC | $0.50 – $1.50 |
| Galvanized steel | $3 – $8 |
| Copper or brass | $1 – $3 |
Gas-powered appliances are popular due to their overall efficiency and quality. If you’ve ever waited impatiently for an electric stove to boil water, you know what we mean.
To experience the benefits of a gas-powered stove or related appliance, you may need to hire a natural gas plumber to run a line from the street to your home. There are multiple types of gas pipes to consider, each with its own use cases and cost per foot.
Flexible Corrugated Stainless-Steel Tubing (CCST): Runs throughout the home from the rigid piping source directly to the appliance. CCST pipe will cost $2–$4 per foot.
Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) and High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE): Tend to be found running underground from the street to the home and are great for low-pressure lines. This rigid piping is certainly on the cheaper side, at $0.50–$1.50 per foot.
Galvanized Steel and Black Iron: High-grade, multipurpose pipes found throughout the exterior and the interior of the home. They perform well for gas pressures of over 500 PSI. Installation tends to be labor-intensive, so count on paying $3–$8 per foot.
Copper and Brass: Have long been used for plumbing and related tasks but have fallen out of favor in recent years due to increased regulations regarding usage for transporting gas. Your pro can help you decide what’s best. These pipes will cost $1–$3 per foot.
Gas Line Installation Cost Breakdown
Getting a main gas line installed or extended is a great way to run natural gas from the street to your favorite gas-powered appliance. The average cost to run a gas line is $536, with a range from $120 to $1,350. This national average considers many factors, including the type of piping used, the length of piping needed, and any necessary excavation through drywall or underground.
Here’s a breakdown of how you can expect to spend money when hiring a pro to perform a natural gas line installation:
| Installation Factor | Cost Range |
|---|---|
| Pipes and materials | $1 – $850 per foot |
| Labor | $45 – $200 per hour |
| Line from street main | $20 per foot |
| Propane line | $40 per line |
| Excavation | $50 – $200 per cubic yard |
| Gas meter | $300 – $700 |
| Shut-off valve | $300 – $500 |
Pipes, Materials, and Labor
The primary cost factors for basic pipe laying jobs are the gas-carrying pipes themselves, related installation materials, and labor. The pipes will cost $0.50 to $8 per foot, depending on the type.
Additional materials, such as flex connectors and thread seal tape, will cost $0.50 per foot, though some contractors may include them with the pipes. Hiring a professional master plumber will cost $45 to $200 per hour, depending on the level of experience.
Turns and Location of Pipes
The cost of running an outdoor gas line will fluctuate depending on the distance it needs to travel, with an average price of $20 per linear foot. With that in mind, running a gas pipe from the street to a street-adjacent kitchen will be cheaper than running one from the street to a backyard grill or fire pit.
Additionally, the number of turns a pipe needs to take to reach its destination will impact the price. Turns may be necessary to avoid obstructions and will increase the number of fittings required and the amount of thread sealant needed. This will translate to an increased cost for both labor and materials.
Propane Option
As previously mentioned, installing a natural gas pipe from a street main will average $20 per linear foot. This price can be drastically reduced if you opt for propane gas instead of natural gas. Connecting a propane gas line, otherwise known as a yard line, will average $40 per line.
Why so cheap? You can place the propane tank right next to the gas-powered appliance, which will cut down on the level of piping you will need. You will need to contact your local gas company to inquire about hookup fees.
Additionally, you will have to purchase or lease a tank, which will cost around $75 per year. Finally, there is the cost of the propane gas itself. Count on spending $800 to $3,000 for 500 to 1,000 gallons of gas.
Excavation and Landscaping
In some instances, you will have to hire an excavator near you to excavate land, drill through drywall, or conduct restorative landscaping tasks. Excavating land to dig a trench will cost $50 to $200 per cubic yard.
After the installation, you may need a local landscaper to redo parts of your yard or patio damaged by digging. This will cost an additional $1,500 to $5,000.
Meters and Shut-Off Valve
If this is the first time you are running natural gas to your home, you will likely need to install a gas meter and a shut-off valve. Purchasing a residential gas meter will cost $150 to $300, with labor to install it coming in at $150 to $400. Commercial and industrial gas meters will be more expensive.
Installing a gas shut-off valve will run $300 to $500, with the valves coming in at $100 to $300 and the labor pricing out at an additional $150 to $200. You should also set aside a small amount for miscellaneous piping and related supplies.
Gas Line Repair Cost by Project
| Project Type | Cost Range |
|---|---|
| Repair gas leak | $120 – $5,000 |
| Pressure test | $75 – $500 |
| Damaged or corroded pipe | $6 – $7 per square foot |
| Cap a gas line | $75 – $150 |
| Gas system inspection | $150 |
If you already have a gas line installed and run into an issue, you may need to hire a contractor to conduct repairs. Labor will cost you $45 to $200 an hour, and materials will vary depending on the issue. For instance, gas leaks cost $120 to $250 on average to fix. If you suspect you have a gas leak, please do not hesitate to contact local authorities. Gas leaks can be hazardous and even fatal.
Here’s a breakdown of the various issues that can impact natural gas lines and how much it will cost to get them repaired by a pro.
Cost to Repair a Gas Leak
Gas leaks can be a serious health issue. Fixing a standard gas pipe leak will cost $120 to $250, though you should plan for financial surprises. For example, if drywall is covering up a leaky gas pipe, you will have to hire a drywall contractor to replace the areas knocked out by the plumber. This will set you back $270 to $760.
If soil is covering the leak, a contractor will need to excavate the ground, and landscaping will be necessary after the job. This will cost $1,500 to $5,000.
Cost to Conduct a Pressure Test
If you suspect a gas leak, a plumber will first conduct a pressure test. This is a relatively simple process that should cost $75 to $150 and take around 30 minutes to complete. However, some parts of the country will require a lengthier gas line pressure test that will take more than 24 hours and cost up to $500.
Damaged or Corroded Gas Pipe
Gas pipes corrode over time or become damaged due to an earthquake. If this happens, you may have to have these pipes replaced. In some extreme cases, you may have to replace the entire system. A plumber will charge you the standard gas line installation price plus $6 to $7 per foot to remove the damaged piping.
Cost to Cap a Gas Line
Capping a gas line can be necessary if you are ending your gas service and switching to electric or if you want to cap off an unused section of piping to avoid leaks. This process should only take around 30 minutes and should cost you $75 to $150, though certain urban areas will see higher prices.
Cost of a Gas System Inspection
It’s a good idea to have your natural gas system professionally inspected every year. A pro will use this inspection to suss out potential problems before they arise. For example, pipes can become weak over time, which can lead to eventual gas leaks. These plumbing inspections will average $150.
How Much Does It Cost to Install or Repair a Gas Line Near You?
The cost to install or replace a gas line will vary depending on where you live, so you should talk to a local contractor to get an accurate quote. Installing or repairing a gas line will be more expensive in urban areas due to population density and increased difficulty in excavating piping. Material availability, landscaping needs, and other factors can also impact the overall cost. Here are some price estimates for several locations throughout the U.S.
| Location | Cost Range | Average Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles, CA | $150 – $3,000 | $954 |
| Portland, OR | $168 – $1,200 | $608 |
| Minneapolis, MN | $100 – $1,145 | $340 |
| Hartford, CT | $115 – $1,200 | $473 |
| Chicago, IL | $125 – $1,000 | $398 |
| San Francisco, CA | $191 – $3,500 | $1,030 |
Repair or Replace Gas Line DIY vs. Hiring a Pro
Only hire an experienced, licensed, and insured professional to tackle gas line installation, modification, or repairs. This is absolutely not a DIY project. Incorrectly installed gas lines or badly patched leaks are incredibly dangerous and can result in fires, explosions, and even carbon monoxide poisoning.
It's also important to note that most insurance companies won't cover gas-line issues on a self-installed line. Let a pro tackle this project so that insurance can cover all future repairs or maintenance.
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’ve surveyed thousands of 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 costquotes@angi.com. Quotes and personal information will not be shared publicly.
Frequently Asked Questions
No, fixing—or patching—a hole in a gas line may not seal it completely. A patch should be a temporary solution because the damaged area will be weaker than the rest of the pipe, increasing the likelihood of future leaks. Therefore, if a gas line incurs damage, you should call a plumber and have it replaced right away.
If you suspect a broken gas line in your home, turn the gas off at the mains and call a nearby emergency plumber. Don't attempt to fix it yourself, and don't use anything that could cause a flame or a spark.
It's not hard to replace a gas line, but it requires a pro’s knowledge and expertise. Replacing a gas line becomes more time-consuming and costly if you need to excavate the area to access a gas line underground.
A simple fix or replacing a short run of the gas line inside the home that's easy to access may only take an hour or two. However, a more complex repair or one that requires excavation can take several days.
Installing a gas line can be extremely time-consuming and dangerous, so you will want to hire a seasoned professional. Perform a thorough search ahead of time to find a reputable and reliable plumber. Pay special attention to licensing and insurance as you go about choosing the best contractor for your needs.
To make sure the gas pipe installation or repair process is free from frustration, consider asking your plumber the following questions:
Do you have insurance and a professional license to do the job? Only a true professional can perform the highly specialized work of installing or repairing a gas line. Look for a plumber who will do it with the highest level of care, as a botched job could spell danger for you and your family. Make sure your pro is sufficiently licensed and insured.
How long will the project take to complete? A competent plumber will be able to give you an accurate timetable when it comes to completion, though obstacles could shift the end date. It still can’t hurt to have this information for peace of mind.
Will I need to hire additional professionals for excavation or landscaping? Installing gas piping may require the excavation of land. You may need to hire a professional land excavator, a landscaper, or a building code enforcement specialist. A good plumber will be able to go over additional hires when you get a quote.
Do you have references from previous clients? Each gas pipe installation or repair job will differ slightly, but it can be helpful to talk to clients who had similar work done by the same plumber or gas line specialist. They can vouch for the professional and give you handy information about possible obstacles.
Do you belong to any relevant trade associations? Of course, a decent gas line specialist doesn’t have to belong to an appropriate trade organization, such as the Plumbing, Heating, Cooling Contractors Association of America. It can, however, show an interest in their craft and a commitment to excellence.