How Much Does It Cost to Repipe a House? [2024 Data]

Cost Factors of Repiping a House

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Several factors affect the cost of repiping a house, but you can expect about 75% of your total to go toward labor. Getting behind your walls and under your floors to access and run new piping is a time-consuming project for your plumber and their team. The size of your home, the type of materials, and other factors will also play a role.

Size of the House

Large homes have more plumbing fixtures and require longer runs for pipes and drain lines than smaller homes, so they cost more to repipe. Additionally, multi-story homes cost more to repipe than single-story homes because you'll need more piping material to reach plumbing fixtures between floors. 

Number of Plumbing Fixtures

All of your home's fixtures, like toilets, sinks, and showers, require proper piping. As such, the more fixtures you have, the more piping material you'll need, which means higher repiping costs. Rough-in plumbing for a bathroom can also be expensive, as getting pipes to precise locations is even more labor-intensive than running plumbing behind walls. If you’re changing your home’s layout, expect to pay more than just repiping and keeping the layout as is.

Type of Pipe Material

There are three main types of piping materials: copper, CPVC, and PEX. Costs vary quite a bit depending on which material you need. For instance, copper piping ranges from $2 to $8 per linear foot, while CPVC piping costs $0.50 to $1 per linear foot. 

Remember that the type of piping you can use may depend on local building codes. Your plumber can recommend the best piping material for your home.

PEX Pipes

PEX pipes, or cross-linked polyethylene pipes, are flexible compared to other piping types. They won't corrode and it’s less likely your pipes will freeze like with copper piping. They also resist the deterioration that can come from scale and chlorine buildup. PEX piping is among the least expensive piping materials, ranging from $0.40 to $2 per linear foot. 

CPVC Pipes

CPVC piping is the most common piping material in residential construction. It's not flexible like PEX pipes, so it requires cemented joints to make various angles. These joints are stronger than copper piping joints, but CPVC has a lower temperature limit than other piping materials. CPVC piping costs between $0.50 and $1 per linear foot. 

Copper Pipes

Copper piping is the most expensive piping material, but it's also the most durable and resistant to bacteria. In fact, it's known to withstand even extreme natural disasters and won't deteriorate from UV exposure. However, it can burst if it freezes, so it sometimes needs pipe insulation. Copper piping ranges from $2 to $8 per linear foot. 

Diameter of Piping 

The size, or diameter, of your pipes also affects costs. Pipes used for waste drainage are wider than pipes designed to carry water. For the same type of piping, larger diameters will be more expensive. However, most drain lines consist of PVC, which is less expensive than copper, so drainpipes should still be more affordable than water supply lines.

Accessibility 

If your pipes are in a location that's tough for your pro to reach, you can expect to pay more for repiping your house. For example, pipes under concrete are much more difficult to access than pipes behind drywall, so they cost significantly more to remove and replace. 

Permits

In most cases, you'll need a permit to repipe your house. This is especially true when adding plumbing to a new build or changing the layout of your home. Permit fees vary by region, but you can expect to pay anywhere from $50 to $500.

Labor

On average, labor makes up most of your home repiping costs and accounts for about 70% of your total, or around $5,250. The reason why is because the process is very labor-intensive and includes the following:

• Accessing pipes behind walls

• Repairing drywall after pipe replacement

• Excavating concrete to expose pipes in the foundation

• Repouring concrete to repair the foundation after pipe replacement

• Maneuvering new lengths of pipe into small wall openings

• Sweating dozens of pipe connections

• Installing new piping to relocate fixtures

It’s also worth mentioning that labor prices will range based on location, with higher-cost cities tending toward higher labor prices to keep up with the cost of living.

Drywall Repairs 

Drywall repairs cost around $300 for small and DIY fixes to around $900 or more for bigger projects or drywall replacements. You’ll need to remove and repair or replace drywall to replace the pipes. Leaks or floods from old pipes can damage your drywall, necessitating more extensive repairs or replacement.

Soil Conditions

The condition of the soil around your home can also affect the cost to repipe it. For example, clay soil tends to shift and move over time, which can affect the surrounding plumbing and lead to more costly plumbing installations. This will only be a factor if you replace buried lines, like water mains, underground pool lines, and sprinkler lines.

Mobile Home Repiping

If you have a mobile home, you can expect to pay less to repipe it than a standard house because there’s less piping to replace. The average cost to replumb a mobile home is between $1,500 and $4,000. 

Inspection Cost

If your municipality requires a permit for repiping—which most do—you’ll also need an inspection completed after the work is done to ensure everything is up to code. In most cases, you won’t need to pay for the initial inspection, as the cost will be included in your permit fee. However, if an issue requires a reinspection or you miss your inspection appointment, a reinspection could cost between $25 and $150.

Costs of Common Add-Ons When Repiping a House

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Several other factors can affect the cost of repiping a house, such as the need to remove existing piping. Factoring in these additional costs can help you create a realistic budget.

Water Main Replacement

In some cases, repiping a house involves replacing the water main, which is the line that runs from your home to the street. Water main replacement costs between $600 and $2,500. Depending on your jurisdiction, the town might be responsible for replacing or maintaining your water main, so this could be an expense you can avoid.

New Water Heater Installation

Replacing a water heater costs about $850 to $1,750 on average, and coupling this with pipe replacement is common. Tank water heaters cost $600 to $2,500, while tankless water heaters cost $1,200 to $3,500. Most homes have a tank water heater. 

Although tankless water heaters are more expensive, they last about a decade longer and operate more efficiently, so they could save you money over time. If you already have a plumber repiping everything in your home, upgrading to a tankless water heater might be cost-effective.

Signs You Need New Pipes in Your Home

You turn on the faucet, and discolored water pours out. Or perhaps you’re taking a shower and notice an unusual smell coming from the showerhead. Even a small leak here or there isn’t something to ignore. These could be important warning signs that you need new pipes.

Water Pressure Is Too High or Too Low

Low water pressure can be frustrating when you’re trying to rinse out shampoo or scrub a dirty baking dish, but it could be indicative of a serious issue. There could be a blockage in the pipes or leaking water somewhere on your property, leading to lower water pressure at the faucet.

High water pressure is also an issue since it can put too much stress on your plumbing system and promote pinhole leaks. If the water pressure isn’t just right, it might be time for pipe replacements.

Contaminated Water

If your water is discolored or tastes or smells strange, it could be contaminated by worn-out pipes or debris in the pipes. Rust can cause the water to turn brown, orange, red, or yellow, leading to a smell similar to rotten eggs. 

If the water is discolored for just a moment after turning the faucet on, it could be that the city recently worked on the water lines. If only the hot water is discolored, it may be a sign of rust or corrosion in the water heater. However, if both the hot and cold water are coming out smelly or discolored, it’s likely an issue with the pipes, and you may need to consider repiping.

Visible Pipe Damage

Pipes underneath the sink, behind the toilet, or around the outside of the home are easy to inspect on your own. If you notice cracked, leaking, or corroded pipes (or other visible damage), they will need replacing. 

Recurring Leaks

You’ve patched up a leaky pipe or replaced a small section that kept dripping, but you keep finding leaks around the house. This could be a sign that the pipes are deteriorating from the inside out, meaning it’s probably time to repipe the house.

Water Temperature Fluctuations

There’s nothing more unpleasant than enjoying a nice, warm shower only for the water to switch to freezing cold and then to piping hot. If the water temperature in your home is fluctuating, it is probably an issue with the pressure-balancing valves or the water heater. However, it could also be an issue with corrosion or buildup inside the pipes. You’ll need a plumber to identify the plumbing problem, and repiping may be the best solution.

Old Pipes

If a plumbing inspection reveals you have galvanized or lead pipes or pipes that are over 60 years old and nearing the end of their life, your home is probably overdue for a pipe replacement.

Cost to Repipe a Whole House Yourself

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Labor is the biggest cost factor when repiping a house, accounting for around 70% of the total cost. If you were to do it yourself, you'd only need to pay for the piping material, which would average around $1,500. However, you should only tackle this project yourself if you're an experienced plumber. 

Repiping a whole house requires advanced expertise in waste elimination, plumbing, and water connections. If just one pipe is improperly installed, it can lead to costly leaks and water damage down the line, so hire a professional plumber for this job.

DIY vs. Hiring a Pro 

If you have the tools, repiping a house costs $0.50 to $1 per linear foot if you use CPVC pipes, $0.40 to $2 if you use PEX pipes, or $2 to $8 if you’re replacing copper pipes.

You’d save about $45 to $480 per hour for two to 14 full, 8-hour days of labor, equating to thousands of dollars. But repiping a home is a huge task, and you could end up spending far more money to fix mistakes if you attempt to DIY, especially if you do something that isn’t up to code and demands calling in a plumber to fix your work. Things like reducing angles in drain lines and venting toilet drains all need to be done according to specific rules dictated by local building departments.

This project is best reserved for licensed plumbers. If you need to repipe your home, hire a plumbing repair pro near you to get the job done correctly.

Dan Simms contributed to this piece.