What Does Sewer Line Replacement Cost? [2025 Data]
Sewer line replacement costs $3,319, but can range between $1,388 and $5,323, depending on pipe material.
Sewer line replacement costs $3,319 on average, with ranges falling between $225 and $10,000. Sewer pipe replacement costs are generally by linear foot. Simple PVC sewer pipe starts at $4.50 per linear foot, while copper can cost as much as $85 per linear foot. While it’s not the most glamorous home improvement project, repairing or replacing your sewer line is a top-priority fix. A local sewer line repair pro can handle this project for you. If left untreated, sewage can back up in the basement or the yard, and we probably don’t need to tell you why you’d want to avoid that.
Sewer Line Replacement Cost Breakdown
Sewer line repair costs will vary based on materials, the extent of the damage, the distance to a local hookup, and any required yard work or excavation.
Pipe Material
| Pipe Material | Average Cost per Linear Foot | Description |
|---|---|---|
| PVC | $4.50 | Lightweight, easy to install |
| ABS | $6 | Easy to install, more durable than PVC |
| Copper | $85 | Extremely durable, easy to replace |
| Cast iron | $50 | Most durable, longest lifespan |
The three most common pipes used for sewer lines today are PVC, ABS, and copper, each its own cost range and preferred use case scenario. In rarer cases, cast iron is used as a sewer pipe material.
Distance
Depending on pipe materials, running a new sewer pipe costs $50 to $250 per linear foot, which includes materials and labor. Your sewer pipes run from the house to a street-adjacent city hookup. This distance varies depending on the design of your house and neighborhood. In other words, the further your house is from the hookup, the longer the sewer pipes and the higher the costs.
Of course, the entire length of the pipe may not require replacement, so discuss options with your pro. Most homeowners end up paying around $150 per linear foot. Since the average cost for replacing a sewer line is between $1,300 and $4,900, this means the average length of repairs is between nine and 33 linear feet.
Pipe Location
Where the pipe starts in your home and the path it takes to the local hookup both impact the overall cost, as any hurdles increase labor costs and require more materials. For instance, accessing a pipe located underneath a driveway or behind a concrete wall requires professional excavation. Hiring a local ground excavator increases the overall cost here, coming in at $400 to $1,200 for 100 linear feet.
If repairs are conducted directly underneath or through a concrete slab, an excavator must break up the concrete, ballooning the cost to $300 to $350 per linear foot (only for the portion entangled with the concrete.)
Yard or Driveway Repair
If you need to repair your landscape or hardscape, anticipate spending somewhere between $1 to $25 per square foot, depending on the type of repair. Repairing small cracks in the driveway costs the least while replacing entire slabs of concrete costs the most.
Repairs that occur in your yard or below your driveway have the added cost of repairing your landscape. Here are some of the most common yard or driveway repair costs to factor into your budget:
Landscaping cost: $4.50 to $12 per square foot
Yard leveling cost: $1 to $2 per square foot
Concrete driveway repair cost: $1 to $25 per square foot
Asphalt driveway repair cost: $1 to $15 per square foot
Deck repair cost: $30 to $60 per square foot
Inspection
Most sewer line projects require a video inspection, which costs anywhere from $100 to $500. Though you might be tempted to skip this step to save on the cost of your replacement, a video inspection is key to having an accurate diagnosis, replacement plan, and total price estimate.
Cause of Repair
From a partial sewer line replacement to a complete replacement and additional troubleshooting costs, expect to pay anywhere from $50 to $250 per linear foot to repair your sewer line. Sewer line damages can stem from all kinds of factors affecting the replacement cost. If you have a clog, tree roots, a collapsed pipe, or a combination of issues at play, anticipate spending between $80 and $1,000 to tackle the problem.
Replacement Method
Replacing a sewer line can vary by the method of replacement and the contractor performing the project, among other factors. A partial replacement will be the most affordable option, with complete replacement and replacing burst pipes ranging from $60 to $250 per linear foot.
| Replacement Type | Average Cost per Linear Foot |
|---|---|
| Complete | $60–$250 |
| Partial | $50 |
| CIPP lining | $90–$250 |
| Burst pipes | $60–$200 |
Labor Installation
The cost to hire a plumber for your sewer line replacement is between $150 and $500 an hour, depending on where you live and the complexity of the replacement. After you vet local plumbers, it’s a good idea to ask for a quote to compare prices.
Trench vs. Trenchless
Trenchless replacements cost anywhere from $60 to $250 per linear foot, including materials and labor. Trenchless replacements are the most basic and common replacement, and, as the name suggests, this type of sewer line replacement does not require digging a trench and disrupting your property. As such, it is reserved for relatively small lines of the damaged pipe.
If you’ve got a bigger problem on hand, you may need to have a professional dig a trench around the faulty sewer line to replace it. A repair involving trenching costs an additional $4 to $12 per linear foot on top of the cost of the sewer line replacement. Excavation costs range from $30 to $70 per cubic foot.
Location
Where you reside can make all the difference in your total replacement cost. For example, if you live in Austin, Texas, you may spend around $2,000 on average, whereas in Los Angeles, California, residents may spend closer to $4,000 for the same project. Costs are likely to correspond to the cost of living, competitive labor rates, and material prices.
Cost to Repair a Sewer Line
Sewer lines fail for multiple reasons, each of which requires its own specific replacement procedure and cost. If a tree fell and disturbed your sewer line, for instance, it costs $100 to $600 to remove the roots on top of any associated pipe replacement fees.
| Repair Type | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Cracked pipes | $600–$1,050 |
| Collapsed line | $50–$250 per linear foot |
| Sewer trap | $1,500–$3,000 |
| Cured-in-place pipes | $80–$250 per linear foot |
| Pipe bursting | $60–$200 per linear foot |
| Sewer main line | $2,600 |
| Root removal | $100–$600 |
Additional Costs to Consider
Typically, a sewer line repair or replacement starts with a video inspection, where a camera is sent down the line to look for breaks or clogs. That service and many other factors will help give you an accurate sewer line cost.
| Cost Factor | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Inspection | $100–$500 |
| Excavation | $30–$70 per cubic yard |
| Tree removal | $100–$200 per hour |
| Pipe disposal | $250 |
| Permits | $200 |
DIY vs. Hiring a Pro
Working on a sewer line yourself without the required expertise can be a dangerous project, leading to additional unexpected damage. We strongly advise you to hire a sewer replacement pro near you to work on this type of repair.
This is not a job you learn by watching a few YouTube videos, as accessing underground pipes is time-consuming and potentially dangerous. There is a reason, after all, why technicians train for years before tackling this type of job. You can, however, lessen labor costs by digging trenches yourself, preparing and moving plants, and readying the area for work.
How to Know You Need to Replace a Sewer Line
Sometimes, knowing you need to replace a broken sewer line is obvious—other times, not so much. Check out these seven signs you need to replace your sewer line:
Changes in your water bills
Gurgling pipes
Standing water in yard
Bad odors on your property
Increased number of insects, rats, and mice
How to Save on Sewer Line Replacement Costs
Replacing a sewer line is costly and often unavoidable. Fortunately, there are some tips worth considering to save a few bucks.
Go trenchless: If possible, for your specific issue, choose a trenchless replacement method to save some money. Trenchless pipe replacement does not disturb the lawn, the driveway, or anything else on your property. In other words, your post-job costs are minimal or non-existent.
Repair at first: Depending on the extent of the damage and the specific issue, you may be able to repair small sections to start as you set aside money for the full replacement. Talk to your pro and ask if this piecemeal approach is appropriate.
Remember annual inspections: All sewer lines eventually require replacement, but extending their lifespan is possible by conducting yearly inspections, performing regular cleanings, and staying on top of maintenance tasks.
Look into insurance endorsements: Adding an endorsement clause to your homeowner’s insurance policy to cover sewer line damage is a great way to save money in the long run.
Gather several estimates: Replacing damaged sewer pipes is a serious job that can be pricey, so don’t go with the first estimate you come across. Talk to about three pros to find the best company for your budget.
Questions to Ask a Sewer Line Replacement Contractor
Once you've reached out to a contractor for help, it's important to ask the right questions before committing to a start date for this project.
Are you a licensed sewer contractor in your state?
Do you have insurance to cover any incidents that occur on my property during the project?
Do you offer warranties for the completed work? If so, for how many years?
Is my property suitable for trenchless sewer line replacement?
What does an estimate for sewer line replacement costs include?
Will there be additional charges to compensate for unexpected circumstances related to sloping, utility lines, soil, etc.?
How is post-work cleanup billed? Are there separate charges for hauling away cut trees or old pipes?
Are the costs for building permits included in the estimate?
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 thousands of 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
Sewer line replacement costs often seem high because this is a labor-intensive project that requires excavation, pipe removal, and pipe replacement. It takes a team of experienced, licensed technicians to handle the planning required. Sewer pipe work also requires specialized equipment that can include high-tech inspection cameras, excavators, trenching machines, and relining tools. While costs can vary based on the type of piping you choose, high-quality pipe materials that provide years of safe usage can come at a premium.
Ideally, you might find that you only need to clean the sewer line or remove a clog from the main line. That costs $200 to $300. However, “sewer main clogs can cost upwards of $1,000 to clear, depending on what is causing the clog, distance from accessible cleanouts to the clog, and whether there is occupied space below the clogged line (apartment buildings, condos, etc.),” says Botelho.
A clogged sewer line is not typically covered by homeowner’s insurance, though some sewer line issues are covered. For instance, damage related to a fallen tree is usually covered. Though sewer line replacement is not covered in a standard insurance policy, some companies offer add-ons for this purpose. Read the fine print before spending your own money.
The answer may vary based on where you live. Residential sewer lines are generally buried 5 feet to 6 feet under the ground. However, it's not uncommon to see pipes buried as deep as 8 feet in colder climates in order to ensure that piping is placed below the freeze line. Digging depth could impact your sewer line replacement cost.
The good news: you don’t have to think about this very often. Plastic, lead, and cast iron sewer lines last 50 to 100 years, depending on soil conditions and tree roots. The part you can control is keeping them clear by watching what goes down the drain. Use compost pails for food scraps, cooking grease, and paper towels.
Your home has a few telltale signs of a sewer line problem. If you notice multiple plumbing fixtures (toilet, sink, or shower drains) appear to be clogged, call a plumber ASAP. Also, if water appears in the tub or shower when you flush the toilet, you likely have a sewer line issue. A sulfur (rotten eggs) smell and bubbling or gurgling noises at the drain also warrant a check. And keep your eyes peeled for changes to the yard, such as a new indentation or mysteriously soggy grass.
