House Repiping Cost Calculator

How Much Does It Cost to Repipe a House?

$4,000 to $15,000 is the average cost to repipe a house in the United States, with most homeowners paying around $7,500. How much it costs to repipe a house varies significantly depending on your home's size, the pipe material you choose, the number of plumbing fixtures, and your geographic location.

Repiping involves replacing all or most of the water supply lines throughout your home. It's a major plumbing project, but one that's often necessary for older homes with galvanized steel, polybutylene, or deteriorating copper pipes. A repiping need is frequently discovered during a home inspection, which costs $300 to $500 on average.

Factors That Affect Repiping Cost

$4,000 to $15,000 is the typical range, and several key factors determine where your project falls within it.

Home Size

Repiping costs range from $2,000 for a small home to $25,000+ for a large home, making home size the biggest cost driver. Larger homes require more pipe, more labor hours, and more wall penetrations. A 1,200 sq ft home might need 200-300 feet of pipe, while a 3,000 sq ft home could require 500 feet or more.

Pipe Material

PEX piping costs $0.50 to $2.00 per linear foot, while copper runs $2.00 to $4.00 per linear foot. PEX (cross-linked polyethylene) is the most common choice for modern repiping and is faster to install because it's flexible and requires fewer connections. Copper takes longer to install due to soldering, but offers superior longevity. CPVC falls in between at $0.75 to $1.50 per foot but is less commonly used for whole-house repipes.

Number of Fixtures

Each additional plumbing fixture adds roughly $150 to $250 to the repiping cost. Fixtures include sinks, toilets, showers, washing machine connections, and outdoor spigots - each one represents a connection point that adds labor and materials. A typical home has 8-15 fixtures, but homes with multiple bathrooms, wet bars, or outdoor kitchens can have 20 or more. While the plumber is on site, it is a good time to replace worn-out outdoor spigots - a hose bib replacement costs $150 to $500 per spigot and is much cheaper to do during a repipe than as a standalone job.

Number of Stories

Multi-story homes cost 20% to 40% more to repipe because of the additional vertical runs, harder access to pipes in upper floors, and the potential need for more extensive wall and ceiling repairs.

Accessibility

Homes built on a slab foundation are generally more expensive to repipe than homes with crawl spaces or basements, because the plumber may need to reroute pipes through the attic or run them along exterior walls instead of going through the slab. While you are replacing supply lines, it is worth evaluating whether your water heater ($800 to $3,500 installed) also needs upgrading, since new pipes paired with an old water heater can create pressure mismatches. Leaking pipes can also lead to hidden moisture problems, so check our mold remediation cost guide if you notice musty odors or water stains - remediation averages $1,500 to $9,000.

Repiping Cost by Home Size

PEX repiping costs range from $2,000 for homes under 1,000 sq ft to $25,000+ for homes over 3,000 sq ft. Here are typical cost ranges based on home square footage:

Home Size	Cost Range
Under 1,000 sq ft	$2,000 - $5,000
1,000 - 1,500 sq ft	$3,500 - $7,000
1,500 - 2,000 sq ft	$5,000 - $10,000
2,000 - 3,000 sq ft	$7,000 - $15,000
3,000+ sq ft	$12,000 - $25,000+

Copper repiping typically adds 40-60% to these estimates.

PEX vs Copper: Which Should You Choose?

$4,000 to $10,000 for PEX vs $7,000 to $15,000+ for copper on a typical whole-house repipe makes PEX the better value for most homeowners. PEX is cheaper, faster to install, resistant to corrosion and scale buildup, and less likely to burst in freezing temperatures. Most plumbers and building codes now favor PEX for residential water supply lines.

The cost of repiping a house with copper makes sense if you want maximum longevity (50+ years), your local codes require it, or you're in an area where PEX has faced regulatory scrutiny. Some homeowners also prefer copper for its proven track record and potential to increase home resale value. If you have hard water, adding a water softener ($800 to $3,000 installed) during the repipe protects your new pipes from mineral buildup and extends their lifespan.

When to Repipe Your House

$4,000 to $15,000 spent on repiping now can prevent thousands more in water damage, mold remediation, and emergency plumbing repairs down the road. Consider repiping if you notice any of these warning signs.

• Rusty, brown, or discolored water coming from faucets
• Noticeable drop in water pressure throughout the house
• Frequent leaks, especially in multiple locations
• Visible corrosion or flaking on exposed pipes
• Your home has galvanized steel or polybutylene pipes
• Your home was built before 1970 and still has original plumbing

How to Save Money on Repiping

$400 to $4,500 in potential savings is achievable with the right approach. These tips can help reduce your total cost.

• Get multiple quotes. Prices vary widely between plumbers - get at least 3 written estimates.
• Choose PEX over copper. You'll save 30-50% on the total project cost.
• Bundle with other renovations. If you're already opening walls for a remodel, repiping at the same time saves on drywall repair costs.
• Ask about partial repiping. If only certain sections are failing, you may not need a full repipe.
• Check for permits. Some areas require permits for repiping ($50-300). Factor this into your budget.

Frequently Asked Questions

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