How Much Does Sewer Line Installation Cost? [2024 Data]
Normal range: $1,431 - $5,755
Most people pay $3,479 to install a sewer line, but depending on materials and labor costs in your area, you may end up paying between $245 and $10,000.
The average cost of sewer line installation is $3,479 and ranges between $1,431 and $5,755. If your home is connected to a sewer system, it enables you to do the dishes, wash your hands, take a shower, or even just flush the toilet. Sewer lines connect to the main sewer drain and are the homeowner’s responsibility to install, repair, or replace when necessary.
- Average
- $3,479
- Low end
- $245
- high end
- $10,000
Cost to Install a Sewer Line and Connections by Location
The cost to hire a local sewer pro to install a sewer line varies slightly by location since different cities set prices depending on local water resources and the current setup on your street.
Here are a few examples of what it might cost to install a sewer line in areas across the country:
| City | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Boston | $2,420 |
| Miami | $1,760 |
| Chicago | $2,310 |
| New Orleans | $1,600 |
| Detroit | $3,420 |
| New York | $3,400 |
| Portland | $4,160 |
| Houston | $2,940 |
| Los Angeles | $4,130 |
| Dallas | $1,630 |
Cost to Hook Up to City Water and Sewer
Hooking your sewer connection up to the city’s water and sewer line costs anywhere from $500 to $20,000. The price varies greatly depending on local requirements. If you need to make any changes to your property to accommodate the hookup, there’s a good chance that you’re responsible for the cost of those improvements.
In some cases, your local municipality subsidizes some of the cost to connect to the public water and sewer lines. This assistance also depends on regional regulations and the complexity of the project. To know just how much you’ll pay, contact your local municipality.
Sewer Line Installation Cost Breakdown
The main factors that affect the cost of sewer line installation are materials, labor, trenching, permits, and regulations.
Sewer Line Cost per Linear Foot
The average cost to install a sewer line ranges from $50 to $250 per linear foot. Sewer line pipes are typically about 5 inches in diameter and run underneath your yard from your house to the main sewer drain.
Materials
To install a sewer line, you’ll need to purchase the pipes that connect the main sewer drain to your home. New pipes cost approximately $3 to $20 per linear foot. Factor in the type of piping material to gain a closer estimate as to how much you’ll pay per linear foot by referencing the following chart:
| Piping Material Type | Average Cost per Linear Foot |
|---|---|
| Cast-iron | $2–$10 |
| Copper | $20–$30 |
| PEX | $2–$5 |
| PVC | $0.50–$5 |
Cast-Iron Piping
Cast-iron pipes cost between $2 and $10 per linear foot on average. If you have an older home, there’s a chance that you have cast-iron pipes. This piping material is a little on the outdated side due to its susceptibility to corrosion—newer materials like PVC and PEX piping are more popular in newer homes.
Copper Piping
Copper piping costs between $20 and $30 per linear foot on average. While copper piping sports the highest price tag of all of the piping materials, its history as one of the longest-standing piping materials in homes makes it one of the more popular piping materials.
Polyethylene Piping
You’ll pay between $2 and $5 per linear foot to install polyethylene (PEX) piping. PEX pipes offer an affordable alternative to copper and more heat and cold resistance than PVC piping, giving you the best of both worlds.
PVC Piping
The most cost-friendly piping material is polyvinyl chloride (PVC), which costs between $0.50 and $5 per linear foot to install. PVC piping is both durable and budget-friendly, making it an economical material for your sewer hookups.
Labor
You’ll also need to pay a licensed plumber to install the sewer line. While it might be tempting to cut costs, you should always leave projects like sewer line installation to the professionals. Labor for sewer line installation costs between $30 and $247 per linear foot.
Trenching
Depending on the state of any existing sewer line, you may also need to pay for trenching. The cost to dig a trench runs about $800 per 100 linear feet. The total expense depends on the length and depth of the trenches needed.
This price usually does not include removing landscaping or hardscaping before digging, so be sure to get a quote from your plumber before you begin. You can save money on landscaping repairs if no-dig trenchless sewer repair is an option.
Backflow Preventer
To prevent backflow into your basement, you may need to install an overhead sewer, which costs between $8,000 and $10,000 on average. These pipes run above the ground to ensure that no waste flows in the wrong direction.
Sewer Cleanout
A sewer cleanout can cost between $500 and $2,000. Sewer cleanouts are access points for cleaning out clogs or inspecting the lines through the use of a camera. A two-way sewer cleanout costs up to $3,500 and requires more work—especially if you need major excavation work done to install the cleanout.
Permits and Regulations
You’ll also need to purchase permits to connect to the city sewer line. These permits range from $400 to $1,600, with an average cost of about $1,000. The price may vary depending on local regulations, and homeowners are usually required to obtain the permits in advance of the project. If your city isn't in control of your installation, ask your plumber what you need to do. In some cases, plumbers or contractors may be able to obtain permits on your behalf.
Housing Type
Your housing type impacts how much the sewer line installation will cost you. Here’s a breakdown of the different housing types and the amount of coverage you may or may not have:
Single-family: You are responsible for the total cost of the sewer line installation.
Twin home: Both owners must negotiate who will cover the cost of the installation.
Duplex: The property owner covers the costs.
Townhome or condo: Your HOA may cover the expenses, but this coverage may include increased HOA fees.
Additional Costs to Consider
Additional costs may sneak up that could affect the total cost to install a sewer line on your property. Keep the following in mind as you budget for the installation.
Obstacles
Obstacles can make navigating a sewer line installation akin to following a winding—and costly— labyrinth. From tree removal services to driveway reparations, some obstacles are pricier than others. Here's a list of some of the most common hurdles you may face when installing a sewer line and the costs that come with such obstacles.
Boulder removal cost: $650 to $1,200 per boulder
Tree removal cost: $200 to $2,000 per tree
Pavement removal cost: $8 to $15 per square foot
Landscaping
Don't plant trees or anything with invasive root systems near a septic field because the roots can infiltrate your pipes, clog the system, or even rupture the pipes.
- Bethany Uribe | Division Manager/Estimator, ASAP Restoration LLC
The cost to landscape your yard after a sewer line installation can range anywhere from $200 to $13,000. This wide cost range boils down to the size of your yard, the extent of the sewer line, your landscaping design, and the landscaping materials.
Repairs
If there’s something wrong with your sewer lines or if you’re experiencing a clog or blockage, you may need to get your sewer line repaired or replaced. Depending on the issue, sewer line replacement or repair costs are between $1,400 and $4,100.
Cost to Switch From Septic to Sewer
Switching from a septic system to a sewer system costs around $6,000 on average. You have to factor in several components to arrive at a cost estimate when you're making this switch, including:
| Component | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Permits | $1,000 |
| Decommissioning | $500–$1,000 |
| New sewer line | $2,900 |
| Trench | $150–$200 per foot |
| New pipes | $1,050 |
DIY vs. Hiring a Pro
You should always hire a local plumber with good reviews to install your sewer line. This task takes specialized knowledge and experience that the average homeowner just doesn’t have. Since a malfunctioning sewer line can mean backed-up drains and costly repairs, this is one home project that it’s best to leave to the professionals.
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 over 10,000 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
When installing a sewer line, you should consider other potential costs before starting your project. You should determine whether the work will require tree removal, driveway repair, or patio resurfacing.
Before you commit to these extra costs, you should ask your plumber if there’s any way you can avoid them.
While the answer to whether or not you need to replace your sewer line depends on your specific situation, it’s usually wise to be proactive when it comes to your plumbing.
Unfortunately, many sewer line issues only get worse over time. However, if there’s a specific problem pertaining to your sewer line, like impinging tree roots, you may be able to put off the problem with a temporary fix.
The cost to install a two-way cleanout for a sewer line ranges from around $500 to $2,000. Two-way cleanouts provide plumbers with outside access to your sewer and can make it easier to clear out clogs and blockages.
Yes, before you can connect to a public sewer, you must gain permission from the water company near you. You'll also need to ensure that you comply with local regulations prior to connecting to a public sewer line. Apply to your local water authority by looking at their website for an application or by giving them a call to have your home ready for a seamless sewer line connection.
Sewer lines may be buried anywhere from 18 inches deep to 8 feet (96 inches) deep, but the average is 18 to 30 inches deep. Pipe depth may depend on local climate conditions and soil type. For example, people living in areas where freezing is common may need their pipes buried deeper (below the frost line) so that they don’t freeze up.