Installing a new water line for refrigerators costs $100 on average, or between $75 and $130, depending on the materials and whether you hire a pro.
If you’re installing a new water line for your refrigerator, you can expect the cost to install a water line for a refrigerator to fall around $100, with costs commonly ranging from $75 to $130. Whether your old line kicked the bucket or you finally upgraded to the fridge of your dreams, if you’re installing a new water line, knowing what to expect can help you plan ahead. Here’s a close look at the various factors that go into installing a water line for refrigerators.
You can break down the cost of your refrigerator water line cost by looking at the materials, equipment, labor, and location.
There are three types of materials you can choose for your refrigerator’s water line, ranging from $10 to $45. Copper comes in at the highest price point, followed by stainless steel, and then plastic.
If you plan on installing a water line for your refrigerator, you’ll need to consider two pieces of equipment: an adapter and the water line itself. The adapter connects the water line tube to the pipes, while the water line brings the water through to the refrigerator. Adapters can cost between $1 and $15 apiece, while the water line costs $10 to $45.
As with the water line, your adapter comes in several materials—plastic is the cheapest option, followed by stainless steel, and, lastly, copper.
| Refrigerator Water Line Equipment | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Adapter | $1–$15 |
| Water line | $10–$45 |
The average cost to hire a plumber is between $45 and $200 per hour, depending on experience. Not all plumbers charge by the hour, however. Some plumbers charge a flat rate fee ranging from $100 to $400. Expect your local plumber to have a minimum charge for servicing your water heater. It takes around one to three hours to flush a water heater, so you'll spend between $45 and $600 if you hire a professional.
Apprentice: $45–$90 per hour
Journey-level: $70–$120 per hour
Master: $90–$200 per hour
If your main water line is located farther away from your refrigerator, you may need to spend more to connect it.
The type of material you choose for your refrigerator’s water line has one of the biggest impacts on the cost of your installation. Here’s a closer look at your options and what that might mean for your wallet.
| Water Line Material | Price Range |
|---|---|
| Copper | $25–$40 |
| Plastic | $10–$20 |
| Stainless Steel | $10–$30 |
Copper water lines cost between $25 and $40, or $35 on average. Copper pipes cost the most on average and are susceptible to corrosion and mineral buildup, but they’re sturdier and can withstand high pressure better than plastic water lines. If you choose copper, then you’ll also need to choose copper fitters, like your adapter, as copper can corrode other metals.
Plastic water lines are made from PEX piping, which costs between $10 and $20, or $15 on average. This material is very flexible and easier to install than copper and stainless steel. It’s also more affordable, corrosion-resistant, and limescale-resistant. However, it doesn’t last as long as some of the sturdier options and can become damaged if exposed to UV rays.
Braided stainless steel is one of the strongest water line materials and costs between $10 and $30 on average, or around $20. As an economical choice in the middle of the price range, stainless steel also withstands high water pressure while resisting crimps, kinks, and damage from flimsier options.
Your water line for refrigerators may require ongoing expenses worth keeping in mind as you budget for the long term.
The cost to maintain your water line is up to $25. To keep your refrigerator water line in tip-top shape, you should clean your refrigerator water dispenser once every three to six months using distilled white vinegar, dish soap, and a soft-bristle brush. This is especially important for copper and stainless steel water lines, which are more susceptible to mineral buildup than PEX lines.
If your refrigerator water line needs replacing due to corrosion or damage, you’ll pay a similar cost as installing a water line for the first time—between $10 and $60 for the materials and between $45 and $200 per hour in labor costs if you hire a professional plumber.
Installing a refrigerator's water line yourself is a relatively simple task that you can DIY on the sly. Doing so will save you between $45 and $200 per hour. This project requires just two supplies: a power drill, drill bits, pipe cutters, towels, and a flashlight—all items you may already have lying around your storage closet or garage.
If you’d rather leave this job to the pros, you can also hire a plumber near you to complete the project. Hiring a pro can free up the hour or two you’d spend installing your own water line and any additional research and videos you’d need to watch to get the job done fast.
If you decide to work with a licensed plumber to install your refrigerator water line, they might offer additional services that go hand-in-hand with your installation. Plumbers can bundle several services and may even charge you a lower, flat rate rather than individual charges per project. Ask your pro about add-on services to see what they have to offer. Here are just a few examples of common refrigerator water line add-ons:
Kitchen sink installation cost: $215–$650
Appliance installation cost: $125–$300
Drain cleaning cost: $150–$350
Pipe leak repair cost: $300–$850
While installing a water line for a refrigerator is a relatively low-cost installation, you can still save enough to make it worth your while if you play your cards right. The best ways to save money include:
Installing the water line yourself.
Choosing an apprentice plumber for the installation.
Purchasing PEX water lines and plastic adapters.
Reach out to at least three pros to compare quotes and find the cheapest option.
Connected a water line to a refrigerator is an intermediate project that’s perfect for DIYers. If your fridge and sink already have a water line and need replacing, then this task will be even easier. However, if you’re installing a water line for the first time, it should still be a doable project to take on. You’ll just need to install an adapter to your sink before you can connect the water line.
To install a new water line, make sure that you have the right length of material. From there, you’ll want to identify the hookups under your sink and behind the fridge. Homes that don’t already have a water line or available connection will need a hole drilled near the sink first.
After you’ve scoped out the area and completed these tasks, shut off the main water valve, drain the line by running the sink, install the adapter, and connect the water line to the adapter and fridge. Turn the water back on, flush the water line, and call it a day.
