Plumbing costs depend on your project and location. Check with a local pro for your specific job.
Bathtub or shower drain replacement costs between $500 and $1,020, with your drainpipe material and location determining the final total.
Your drainpipe material affects your total, with copper and cast iron raising costs over PVC or polypropylene.
You should budget for drywall work, unclogging, and water damage repair from $1,350 to $6,100.
Hiring a local faucet repair professional ensures your drain replacement meets code and helps prevent leaks and water damage.
You may not think that much about your bathtub or shower drain—until it stops working properly. The cost to replace a tub drain and overflow is around $700, but prices range between $230 and $1,170 depending on the location of the drain and the material.
At best, a malfunctioning drain can make it harder for water to drain, and at worst, it can cause water damage to the floor or ceiling of your home. Let’s look at all the costs associated with replacing a bathtub or shower drain.
Here are the main factors that affect the cost of replacing a bathtub or shower drain. Keeping these in mind as you create a budget can help you understand the overall price.
Shaddai Plumbing team is great! They are very professional, they keep their word, they complete job without delays. Great quality. We had to replace old water pipes across 2-story home and their service was great. We asked to add additional water switches to be able to switch hot/cold water on and off in separate parts of home - and they did it. Now if it will be leak or other problem - we can switch off kitchen area, or second floor without impacting other parts of our home. Highly recommended!
Before removing a bathtub drain and replacing it, consider that different types of drain materials have different price points. Copper and cast iron tend to be more expensive than other types of drainpipes.
| Type of Drain | Average Cost (Per Linear Foot) |
|---|---|
| Cast iron | $12.50–$30 |
| Copper | $2.50–$15 |
| PVC | $0.75–$7.50 |
| PP | $1.25–$15 |
Cast-iron drainpipes, which are common in houses built before the 1970s, cost an average of $12.50 to $30 per linear foot.
Copper drainpipes cost between $2.50 and $15 per linear foot. Copper is an excellent choice for drainpipes because of its durability and longevity.
PVC stands for polyvinyl chloride. These pipes cost from $0.75 to $7.50 per linear foot and are among the more affordable drainpipes.
Polypropylene pipes are also cost-effective and range between $1.25 and $15 per linear foot. While more affordable, these pipes are less durable than metal ones.
New drainpipes cost between $0.75 and $30 per linear foot. The total cost will depend on how much pipe you need to replace and what type of pipe you use. Materials like cast iron and copper are more expensive than PVC or PP pipes.
Labor costs an average of $45 to $200 per hour. In most cases, you should leave drain replacement to an experienced plumber. The last thing you want to do is accidentally cause a leak to the floor below the bathtub, which can cost between $45 and $55 per square foot to repair.
You may also need to account for some common repair add-ons when replacing a drain in your tub or shower. For example, you may need to call in a pro to unclog the drain, which averages $225, or you might want to upgrade your showerhead at the same time.
If installing a new drain requires tearing out part of the wall, new drywall installation costs about $2,100. Other elements of your bathroom that might need repair after pipe replacement include cabinets and tile. Most importantly, if parts of your foundation are disturbed, prioritize fixing them.
When pulling out drainpipes, you may find a leak and surrounding damage. Repairing water damage costs between $1,350 and $6,100, but your costs will depend on the extent of the damage.
Improperly performed DIY plumbing work can result in water damage and significant repair bills. Hidden leaks can lead to serious structural damage, mold growth, and flooding. Unless you have plumbing experience, it’s best to leave this project to a plumbing repair pro near you.
Replacing plumbing parts can be a bigger job than it appears—here’s why you should hire a plumber for this project:
A pro can identify and repair underlying problems before they become serious.
Replacing drainpipes requires the tools and experience a plumber can provide.
A plumbing pro will ensure the work is up to code and functioning properly.
A plumber can access necessary areas with as little damage to the surrounding material as possible.
Hidden leaks can be hard to spot, and a pro knows what signs to look for.
Although you should let the pros handle this project, there are some things you can do to help the process along:
Purchase the replacement parts and have them on hand.
Turn off the water shutoff to your tub.
Locate the access to your tub’s plumbing and ensure the plumber can easily get to it.
Let the plumber know what problems you’re experiencing that are leading you to replace the drain and overflow.
Ask the plumber if you need to provide the replacement parts.
Find out if they’ll need to cut into drywall or flooring to access the plumbing.
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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Positive experience. As previously stated, the replacement/repair could not be completed (no fault of the plumbing tech) b/c misinformation was rec?d by property management maintenance. Thanks to the plumbing tech for your efforts. Appreciate you!
The WaterworksIf you want to pay the most exorbitant prices possible for your job, this is the company for you. “By the job” pricing is a rip-off, at least how these people use it. Every job is plugged into a category and prices are set by category. You might have a job that takes half an hour or one that...
Benjamin Franklin PlumbingCole has been handling plumbing and general contracting for our four properties over the past three years, and he’s always done a great job. Most recently, he installed a sink and countertop in our retail store where none existed before, and it turned out exactly how we needed. He’s...
ANB Renovations LLCMatt is a consummate professional. The work turned out to be far more difficult than expected and rather than turn the job down, Matt rose to the occasion and completed a near impossible task. I can not recommend Greene's Plumbing Service more highly. On a scale of 1-5 I would give Matt a...
Greene's Plumbing ServiceInvolved an extensive bathroom remodel, including removing tub & installing walk in shower, new drywall, custome tile work to ceiling, plumbing, etc. Overall, job was done on time and on budget. Nick & his team were very professional and had high attention to detail. Quality was great. Highly...
Stamos Flooring and Remodeling LLCAwesome company. Had a jacuzzi tub taken out and replaced with huge walk in shower with partial glass enclosure. Onyx to the ceiling with a decorative border, moved plumbing and installed hand held shower, new ceiling, flooring, and paint. Replaced window with glass block. Everything was done...
Columbus Bath DesignThe initial quoted price from a walk-through seemed high, but we discussed that the quote represented worst case scenario (re-wiring to two floors) and we were excited about the opportunity to have the work done in a timely manner with closing for fire safety reasons, etc. When the job was...
Initially, I called the Service People to have a leaking garbage disposal replaced. I had purchased a special deal through Angie's List: $79 for $200-worth of plumbing services. <br /> When I went to schedule the work, the earliest date I could get through Angie's List was after the upcoming...
This company did a very good job on the brick wall and it looks just amazing. The staff was always professional and was practically OCD on how the bricks were stacked and how they were laid. Although it took longer than expected, I am willing to sacrifice time over perfection anyday. The...
My Handy Mate LLC Improvement & Remodeling<p>I am so glad we called Rotor-Rooter. I was hesitant to call them because we usually prefer to give business to local providers. But when we had sewage back up in our basement on a Saturday evening, I had a hard time getting a hold of someone, not to mention the high weekend/evening rate...
Roto-Rooter Plumbing & Water CleanupFrom average costs to expert advice, get all the answers you need to get your job done.
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