The average cost of replumbing a mobile home is $1,000, but it can range between $600 and $1,600, depending on a variety of factors.
The average cost of replumbing a mobile home is $1,000, though most homeowners spend between $600 and $1,600. Paying for the cost of repiping a home isn’t on anyone’s list of exciting purchases. But, if you’re living in an older mobile home, you might be living with lead pipes, which can make drinking water dangerous. If your mobile home is a little newer, you may still need to consider replacing the plumbing to get better water pressure, quieter nights, and warmer showers.
While square footage does matter, a more important consideration is the number of fixtures you need. Fixtures include toilets, sinks, dishwashers, refrigerators, bathtubs, showers, and washer hookups. Residential properties typically bid by feature, not square footage, unless it’s new construction.
The average cost per fixture is between $600 to $1,600, depending on location and ease of access. When remodeling a mobile home, you’ll need to consider the location and number of fixtures to maximize efficiency and savings.
There are a few factors that go into the cost of replumbing a mobile home. Your mileage will vary, depending on the specific items you need to replace or repair and the size of your mobile home. Some things you’ll need to consider when pricing your project include:
If your plumbing job requires repairing your drain line, expect to pay anywhere from $225 to $1,170, with an average cost of around $700. Plumbing repair costs may change depending on the severity of the repair and the type of material. However, this estimate typically includes the parts and labor you’ll need to repair or replace a small section of your drain line.
Plumbing jobs don’t just deal with pipes—you may also need to repair or replace parts of your floor to make everything look new again. Plumbing in mobile homes is typically run through the flooring, so you may need to replace or repair it when running new pipes. Your final cost will depend on the size of the repair and your type of flooring material. The average cost of repairing your mobile home flooring will be anywhere between $7 and $30 per square foot.
If you live in an older mobile home, you should repipe your entire home completely if your pipes are made of lead. Lead in drinking water can lead to kidney and brain issues, according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), among other health problems. Your total cost will depend on the size of your home and how many pipes and fixtures you’ll need to replace, but the cost to replace lead pipes tends to start at around $2,500.
If your home contains galvanized steel pipes or polybutylene, you should also consider completely replacing the lines in your home. Galvanized steel corrodes over time and can reduce water pressure.
In addition to the actual plumbing work, you need a pro to handle, how much work they’ll need to do to get to the pipes can also affect your final cost. If they need to cut through any insulation or debris, that can also increase what you’ll pay.
If you need immediate repiping in your mobile home and can’t wait until a plumber can fit you into their schedule, be prepared to pay emergency plumbing rates. Emergency plumbers may charge anywhere from 1.5 to 3 times as much for the same level of work during evenings, weekends, and holidays.
The cost of materials will be one of your most significant expenses. Some of the most common pipe materials include:
CPVC: $0.50–$1 per linear foot
PVC: $.95–$1.25 per square foot
PEX: $.50–$2.50 per linear foot
Many experts recommend PEX when replacing your mobile home’s pipes, as it is better able to withstand freezing temperatures.
There are many benefits that make the cost to replumb a mobile home worth it for homeowners. While it may be tempting to put off this project, this choice could leave you with emergency plumbing bills. Here's a look at reasons why you might need to replumb your mobile home.
If your mobile home has old, corroded piping, the quality of your drinking water may be suffering. Pipe scale in your plumbing system can cause flakes that show up in your drinking water. While most flakes are generally harmless, some older pipes can cause iron, lead, cadmium, and other toxic heavy metals to leach into your water. Corroded pipes will also begin to flake, rust, or develop holes. It's probably time to upgrade your plumbing if you're seeing red, brown, or yellow water coming out of your fixtures.
If your pipes are looking worn, they might be on their last legs. Older, worn pipes could eventually begin to leak. While you may notice harmless "sweating" along your pipes at first, aging can cause some pipes to create significant water damage and mold in a home.
Do you suffer from erratic water pressure throughout your mobile home? Many people with older pipes actually avoid using two different fixtures at the same time because of this problem. Upgrading your piping can usually fix this.
If you have noisy pipes that are constantly rattling, this is more than just a nuisance. Rattling piping is actually a sign that pipes are either loose or deteriorating. In some cases, pipes could be filling up with sediment due to loose or dislodged fittings.
Your mobile home's pipes should be replaced immediately if they are made out of lead. If you're uncertain about your home's piping material, a plumber will be able to give you an answer following a quick inspection. Many pipes that were installed before the 1990s contain pollutants and harmful materials that can leak into your home's water supply. Additionally, any type of piping that is more than 50 years old is generally due for an upgrade.
Unless you’re a licensed plumber, handling the pipework in your own home is unwise. If you make even a small mistake, you could face expensive problems in the future. Pipes that aren’t appropriately installed could leak, resulting in water damage and mold. You’ll also need to navigate the proper angle of the pipes to maximize water flow, and choosing suitable pipes, valves, and connections can be confusing.
If you do opt to handle new plumbing, make sure to get a permit from your local city. It’s one of the home improvement projects that requires proper documentation and inspections. The typical plumbing permit ranges between $50 and $500, depending on where you live and the extent of the work you plan to complete.
On average, local plumbers charge between $45 and $150 per hour to complete the project, but having a pro take care of things can save you from costly repairs later.
When having any plumbing work done, we always recommend getting quotes from at least three qualified contractors. This will allow you to compare price points, timelines, and customer reviews and select a plumber who is best suited to the job.
But you’re looking for more than just the best price. To help select the best plumber to repipe your mobile home, ask a few questions to narrow down your choice and to ensure you understand how the job will be performed. Here are some questions to consider:
Is your company licensed and insured? Will the actual plumber who comes out to repipe my mobile home also licensed and insured? How can I check that the plumber is licensed?
How do you charge for plumbing work: a flat rate or by the hour? What’s the total estimate for this job?
What is your company’s experience with replumbing mobile homes? Have you worked on other mobile homes in my neighborhood?
Is your work backed by any type of guarantee? If so, what are the details?
What permits are required to repipe a mobile home? Does your company handle obtaining the permit, and if so, will that be reflected in your quote?
How long do you expect this project to take, and will my family be without water during that time?
How soon can you start the project?
What do I need to do to prepare my mobile home for this work? Do I need to clear anything out of the way?
Do you have examples of recent client testimonials? Can you explain how you resolved this recent negative review online?
Are there any specific challenges you might encounter with mobile home plumbing vs. traditional home plumbing? What hiccups often arise during this kind of work, and how would those impact the final cost?
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.
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.
The most significant difference between a standard plumbing system and a manufactured (mobile) home is the size and location of the pipes. In standard builds, the pipes run through the walls, whereas in a mobile home, they run through the floor.
Sometimes. While many traditional homes use copper, galvanized steel, PVC, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), and PEX, mobile homes will typically use PVC, CPVC, or PEX. These materials are more flexible, easier to work with, and handle colder temperatures.
Some of the most common plumbing problems in mobile homes are frozen pipes, leaking pipes, clogged drains, and low pressure. Since the pipes in a mobile home aren’t as insulated as those in a standard build, they’re more susceptible to fluctuating temperatures and damage.
Generally, homeowners insurance should cover the cost of an unexpected pipe leak, such as a frozen pipe burst. In that case, coverage may pay for the plumber to fix the pipe and a local water damage restoration company to clean up the water damage.
However, homeowners insurance would not cover the cost of entirely new plumbing throughout your mobile home. In general, homeowners insurance doesn’t pay for general wear and tear, including pipes that degrade over time. You may be able to get coverage for your mobile home’s pipes through a home warranty instead, however.
