How Much Does It Cost to Repipe a House? [2025 Data]

Cost Factors of Repiping a House

Several factors affect the cost of repiping a house, but you can expect about 70% of your total to go toward labor. Accessing and running new piping requires getting behind your walls and under your floors, which is a time-consuming project for your plumber and their team. The size of your home, the type of materials, and other factors also play a role.

Size of the House

Large homes have more plumbing fixtures and require longer runs for pipes and drain lines, so they cost more to repipe. Additionally, multistory 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

Proper piping is required for all of your home's fixtures, including toilets, sinks, and showers. The more fixtures you have, the more piping you'll need. Rough-in plumbing for a bathroom is costly, as getting pipes to precise locations is more labor-intensive than running plumbing behind walls. If you’re changing your home’s layout, expect to pay more for the total cost.

Type of Pipe Material

There are three main types of piping materials: copper, CPVC, and PEX. Costs vary with the material. For instance, copper ranges from $2 to $8 per linear foot, while CPVC costs $0.50 to $1 per linear foot. 

Remember that local codes can dictate the types of pipes you can use. Your plumber can recommend the best material for your home.

• PEX Pipes: PEX pipes, or cross-linked polyethylene pipes, are flexible, won’t corrode, and it’s less likely these pipes will freeze. They also resist deterioration from scale and chlorine buildup. PEX piping ranges from $0.40–$2 per linear foot. 

• CPVC Pipes: These common residential pipes require cemented joints to make various angles. CPVC has a lower temperature limit than other piping and costs $0.50–$1 per linear foot. 

• Copper Pipes: These pipes are the most durable and resistant to bacteria and won’t deteriorate from UV exposure. However, they can burst if it freezes and need pipe insulation. Copper piping ranges from $2–$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 difficult-to-reach location, expect to pay more for repiping your house. For example, pipes under concrete are 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 true when adding plumbing to a new build or changing the layout of your home. Permit fees vary by region, but expect to pay $50 to $500.

Labor

Labor makes up most of your home repiping costs, about 70% of your total or around $5,250. The process is 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 

• 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 vary based on location, with higher labor prices in cities with a higher 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 soil around your home can also affect the cost of repiping. For example, clay soil shifts over time, affecting the surrounding plumbing and leading to more costly installations. This is only 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, expect to pay less to repipe it than a standard house because there’s less piping. The cost to replumb a mobile home is between $1,500 and $4,000. 

Inspection Cost

If your municipality requires a permit for repiping, you’ll need an inspection after the work is done to ensure everything is up to code. In most cases, the initial inspection cost is included in the permit fee. However, reinspection costs $25 to $150 if an issue requires it.

Costs of Common Add-Ons When Repiping a House

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 indicate a pipe blockage or leak. High water pressure can put too much stress on the plumbing system and promote pinhole leaks. If the water pressure isn’t just right, it might be time for pipe replacement. 

• Contaminated Water: If water is discolored or tastes or smells strange, it could be contaminated by worn-out pipes or debris. Rust can cause the water to turn brown, orange, red, or yellow, leading to a smell like rotten eggs. If the water is discolored for just a moment after turning the faucet on, the city could have recently worked on the water lines. 

• Visible Pipe Damage: 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 but keep finding leaks. This could indicate the pipes are deteriorating, meaning it could be time to repipe the house.

• Water Temperature Fluctuations: If the water temperature is fluctuating, it could be an issue with the pressure-balancing valves, water heater, or 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 you have galvanized or lead pipes or pipes over 60 years old and nearing the end of their life, your home could be overdue for a pipe replacement.

Cost to Repipe a Whole House Yourself vs. Hiring a Pro

Labor is the biggest cost factor when repiping a house, accounting for about 70%. If you have the tools, repiping a house costs $0.50 to $1 per linear foot with if you use CPVC pipes, $0.40 to $2 with PEX pipes, or $2 to $8 if you’re replacing copper pipes. 

However, repiping a home is a huge task, and you could spend 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 need to be done according to specific rules dictated by local building departments.

This project requires advanced expertise in waste elimination, plumbing, and water connections and 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.

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 extensively research project costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We rely on 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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