Are your pipes corroded or otherwise damaged, and you’re looking to get your house repiped? If yes, you’re likely also considering how much it’ll cost. Let’s get into it.
What’s the Average Cost to Repipe a House?
Although the cost to repipe a house can vary quite a bit, depending on the size of yours, the type of plumbing system you have and other factors, there are some general numbers below that you can keep in mind. That said, if you simply want a one-figure answer to what the average cost is, that national average is $7,500.
More generally, repiping a house usually costs between $1,500-$15,000. Meanwhile, if you own a 1,500-square-foot home, you should expect to pay in the ballpark of $6,500-$10,000 to get this done. The pipe materials used, number of fixtures, how accessible everything is and labor rates all contribute to these calculations.
What Factors Affect the Cost of Repiping?
Some of these cost factors are, for the most part, unchangeable, such as necessary permits and the size of your house, while you do have much more leeway with others, such as the pipe material that’s being used.
Pipe Material
Three of the most used pipe materials are PEX, CPVC and copper. Of these, PEX tends to have the lowest upfront costs at around $0.40-$2 per linear foot. The corresponding figures for CPVC are $0.50-$1 and for copper are $2-$8.
Keep in mind that copper’s the most durable – i.e. getting it will reduce your long-term costs – and that codes in your area may limit what types you’re allowed to use.
Home Size and Square Footage
Of course, the size of your home will have a substantial impact on the total cost. That’s because larger houses tend to have longer pipes and drain lines while this factor is multiplied if your home consists of multiple floors.
Number of Plumbing Fixtures
The more plumbing fixtures – e.g. showers, sinks, dishwashers – that you have, the more this will cost. For example, taking care of your shower will usually run between $600-$1,600, your sink from $350-$800 and your dishwasher between $400-$800.
Accessibility
If your pipes are not easy to reach, that will increase the overall cost; if they’re behind concrete, it’ll cost a bit more to get to them than if they were instead behind drywall.
Labor Costs
Around three-quarters of the overall cost of repiping your home will go towards labor. Keep in mind that the overall cost of living in your area will affect this amount.
Permits and Inspections
You’ll usually need a permit to legally repipe your house. Its amount varies significantly by region; a rough range to consider would be $50-$500. Meanwhile, an inspection’s usually required in connection with that; this can cost around $25-$150.
How Much Does It Cost to Repipe a 1,500-Square-Foot House?
With PEX costing about $0.40-$2 per linear foot, you can estimate the total cost of using it to be $4,000-$6,000, assuming that your home is standard in size.
Conversely, CPVC’s cost of $0.50-$1 per foot would make that cumulative amount around $7,000-$8,500.
The cost of using copper at $2-$8 per linear foot would likely result in the total being between $10,000-$20,000.
But, again, keep in mind that these figures will rise if you have more fixtures than are standard or live in a multi-story property.
How to Estimate Your Repiping Cost
The simple formula to estimating your repiping costs would consist of taking the length of your pipes, multiplying that by the material cost per foot and adding the costs of labor and any permits and inspections.
So, if you’re using copper at, say, $5 per linear foot, and your home is 1,500 square feet, you’ll likely have around 200 linear feet of pipe, which results in a cost of $1,000 for the copper. Meanwhile, labor would probably be around $5,000, and permits and inspections will likely be around $300. The total in this hypothetical example is $6,300.
Does Repiping Add Value to Your Home?
Generally, absolutely. Getting your house repiped will help with future inspections, inspire buyer confidence and improve the water quality for you while you’re still there and them after they move in. As a result, you can usually sell your home at a higher price after getting this done.
FAQs About Repiping Costs
Why does repiping cost so much?
Repiping can cost more than some expect for a few reasons, including how labor-intensive the work can be and the cost of the materials themselves.
Is PEX cheaper than copper?
With copper easily the most expensive – albeit also the most durable – of the main materials used in repiping, yes, it’s normally more expensive than copper. More specifically, the usual range for the cost of PEX per linear foot is $0.40-$2 while the comparable figures for copper are $2-$8.
How long does repiping take?
If you have a standard home, estimate this process as taking a few days. However, if you have a multistory house or an otherwise complicated project, it could take one to a few weeks.
Can repiping cost more than $15,000?
Yes, repiping can cost more than $15,000. In most cases, it won’t, but if your home is large, and that’s combined with you wanting copper installed, the odds of that being the case for you go up significantly.
Can I repipe part of my house to save money?
You can, but keep in mind that doing so may result in you still suffering from leaks or poor water quality. However, if you have severe trouble areas and are also on a budget, this could be the perfect solution for you.
Final Takeaways
Here are a few brief takeaways to consider as you decide what’s best for your circumstances:
- Typical cost: $1,500-$15,000
- Average cost for a 1,500-square-foot home: $6,500-$10,000
- PEX is budget-friendly while copper is for those wanting a long-lasting premium option
- Labor will almost always be the largest cost factor at roughly 70%
- Make sure to get multiple quotes before making a final decision
Call Benjamin Franklin for a Custom Quote
If you’d like to get a quote from the punctual plumbers at Benjamin Franklin Plumbing, reach out to us today. We serve Birmingham, AL, as well as nearby areas and would be glad to discuss your repiping situation with you and inspect your home.