House Repiping Cost Calculator

Name: House Repiping Cost Calculator
Author: Ganak

Square Footage

Number of Bathrooms

Pipe Material

Foundation Type

Number of Stories

Estimated Repiping Cost Range

$7,680–$11,520

Planning midpoint:$9,600

9.6K

Cost Breakdown

How your estimate adds up

Base Repipe

$5,650

Pipes, labor & accessibility adjustments

Selected Add-Ons

$1,350

Kitchen, laundry, water heater, spigots & options

Permits

$350

Standard permit fee

Drywall Restoration

$2,250

Wall repair, texture & prime

Total (sums to midpoint)$9,600

Cost per Square Foot

Total estimate divided by heated square footage

Cost per Sq Ft

$5.33/sq ft

Low

$7,680–$11,520

High

What Is a House Repiping Cost Calculator?

Get a realistic cost estimate before calling plumbers

A house repiping cost calculator estimates the total cost of replacing all water supply lines in your home. It accounts for your home's size, number of bathrooms, pipe material, foundation type, and whether you need drywall restoration — the surprise cost most homeowners forget.

Homeowners

Researching costs

Before getting quotes

Home Buyers

Budgeting repairs

Evaluating old plumbing

Contractors

Quick estimates

For client proposals

Repiping is a major investment — average costs range from $4,000 for a small PEX repipe to $25,000+ for a large copper repipe on a slab foundation. This calculator helps you understand what drives those numbers.

How the Calculator Works

A base-rate + multipliers model using 2026 US plumbing data

Total = (SqFt × Material Rate + Bathrooms × Bath Rate) × Foundation × Stories × Complexity × PEX Type + Fixtures + Permits + Restoration

Home Size & Bathrooms

The primary cost drivers. Square footage determines total pipe length; each bathroom adds fixture connections (sinks, toilets, showers). A 2-bath, 1,800 sq ft home is our default baseline.

Pipe Material

PEX offers the best overall value ($2.25/sq ft) and is the most common choice. Copper is the most durable ($4.25/sq ft) and preferred for resale. CPVC is the lowest-cost option ($2.00/sq ft).

Foundation & Stories

Slab foundations add ~35% because plumbers must cut through concrete or reroute through walls. Multi-story homes increase labor time — each additional story adds ~30%.

Fixtures & Add-Ons

Kitchen, laundry, water heater connections, and outdoor spigots are added at fixed per-fixture rates. Main water line replacement is a separate major add-on.

Restoration & Permits

Drywall repair adds $1.25/sq ft. Permits range from $350 (crawlspace/basement) to $500 (slab). Both are togglable — see how they affect your total.

Worked Example

A 1,800 sq ft, 2-bath home with PEX on a crawlspace: base cost = (1,800 × $2.25) + (2 × $800) = $5,650. With fixtures (kitchen, laundry, water heater, 1 spigot = +$1,350), permits ($350), and restoration (~$2,250), the total is approximately $9,600. The same home with copper costs ~$14,300 (high estimate ~$17,200).

Repiping Cost by Home Size

Estimated all-in costs for common home sizes with PEX, copper, and CPVC (crawlspace, 1-story, moderate layout, with restoration and permits)

Home Size	Baths	PEX	Copper	CPVC
1,000 sq ft	1 bath	$6,000	$8,700	$5,600
1,500 sq ft	1.5 baths	$8,150	$12,050	$7,575
1,800 sq ft	2 baths	$9,600	$14,300	$8,900
2,500 sq ft	3 baths	$12,850	$19,350	$11,875
3,500 sq ft	4 baths	$16,275	$25,175	$14,950

National averages including restoration and permits. Slab foundations add 35%. Multi-story homes add 30% per extra floor. Use the calculator above for your exact configuration.

PEX vs Copper vs CPVC: Which Should You Choose?

Compare cost, lifespan, installation speed, and freeze-resistance

PEX

Best overall value — $2.25/sq ft installed

30–50 year lifespan
Freeze-resistant (expands)
Fastest installation
Fewer fittings = fewer leaks
Quiet — no water hammer
Best for cold climates

Copper

Most durable — $4.25/sq ft installed

50–70+ year lifespan
Naturally antimicrobial
Best resale value
Handles high pressure
Recyclable material
Preferred in upscale homes

CPVC

Lowest-cost option — $2.00/sq ft installed

40–50 year lifespan
Chemical resistant
Glue joints (no soldering)
Moderate freeze resistance
Lower resale perception
Budget-conscious choice

Methodology & Limitations

What this calculator covers — and what it doesn't

Scope

Whole-house interior water supply line replacement (hot and cold). Includes all branch lines, fixture connections, and shut-off valves from the main shut-off inward.

Assumed Inclusions

1 kitchen sink connection and 1 laundry hookup are included in every estimate by default. Bathroom fixture counts follow your selected bathroom number. The main water line from the meter to the house is not included unless you toggle it on.

Pricing Basis

Rates and multipliers are Ganak planning assumptions informed by published national benchmarks. Source pages and links reviewed July 2026. These are planning estimates — actual quotes vary by local labor rates, material prices, permit fees, accessibility conditions, and contractor availability.

Sources

Informed by published national cost data from HomeAdvisor, HomeGuide, and Homewyse.

Disclaimer

This calculator produces a national planning estimate only. It is not a contractor quote, bid, or guaranteed price. Local labor rates, permit fees, accessibility conditions, material prices, and contractor availability can move actual quotes above or below this national estimate. Always obtain at least 3 written quotes from licensed, insured local plumbers before starting your project.

Common Mistakes When Estimating Repiping Costs

Five errors that cost homeowners thousands

Forgetting Drywall Restoration

Plumbers cut holes in walls to access pipes. Most quotes exclude drywall repair, texture matching, and priming. Budget $1,200–$3,500 extra — this is the #1 surprise cost.

Ignoring Permit Requirements

Whole-house repiping requires a plumbing permit ($100–$500). Skipping it can cause problems during home sales and insurance claims. Most cities require an inspection after the work.

Underestimating Slab Foundation Costs

Homes on concrete slabs cost 30–40% more to repipe. Plumbers must jackhammer through concrete or reroute pipes through walls and ceilings — both are labor-intensive.

Choosing the Wrong Pipe Material

Copper costs 2× more than PEX but lasts longer. PEX is freeze-resistant and quieter. Match your material to your climate, budget, and how long you plan to stay in the home.

Assuming Insurance Covers It

Homeowners insurance does NOT cover repiping due to age or wear and tear. It may cover water damage from a sudden burst, but not pipe replacement. Budget for the full cost yourself.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about repiping costs, what's included, and regional pricing

Repiping and replumbing are often used interchangeably, but they mean slightly different things. Repiping replaces only water supply lines, while full replumbing may also include drain/waste/vent (DWV) pipes. Our calculator estimates water-supply repiping. For a typical 1,800 sq ft, 2-bath home on a crawlspace with PEX: expect $7,680–$11,520 (planning midpoint ~$9,600), including permits and drywall restoration. Copper runs $11,440–$17,160, and CPVC runs $7,120–$10,680. Major cost drivers are square footage, bathrooms, pipe material, and foundation type. Smaller homes (800–1,200 sq ft) with PEX may start around $2,900, while large copper repipes on slab can exceed $60,000.

A whole-house water-supply repipe typically includes: replacement of all hot and cold water lines from the main shut-off valve to every fixture (sinks, toilets, showers, tubs), new shut-off valves at each fixture, a kitchen sink connection, a laundry hookup (if applicable), water heater reconnection, and outdoor spigot connections. The estimate also accounts for permits (where required) and drywall restoration if you include it. It does NOT include drainage/waste pipes, fixture replacement (sinks, faucets, toilets), water heater replacement, paint finishing, or flooring repair.

Here are ballpark all-in ranges (PEX, crawlspace, with permits and restoration): 1,000 sq ft / 1 bath: $4,800–$7,200 (midpoint ~$6,000). 1,500 sq ft / 1.5 baths: $6,520–$9,780 (midpoint ~$8,150). 1,800 sq ft / 2 baths: $7,680–$11,520 (midpoint ~$9,600). 2,500 sq ft / 3 baths: $10,280–$15,420 (midpoint ~$12,850). 3,500 sq ft / 4 baths: $13,020–$19,530 (midpoint ~$16,275). These assume moderate layout complexity. Add 35% for slab foundations and ~30% per extra story. Use the calculator above with your exact specs.

No — the main water line from the street/meter to your house is NOT included in the base estimate. This is a separate scope of work (often called a 'water service line replacement') and is toggled off by default. If you need it replaced, toggle 'Main Water Line' in the Advanced Options — it adds approximately $2,500 to the estimate. Note that some municipalities or water utility companies may be responsible for the portion of the line up to the meter; check with your local utility before contracting this work.

This calculator uses national average pricing calibrated against published benchmarks. Actual contractor quotes vary by region because local labor rates, permit fees, accessibility conditions, material prices, and contractor availability can all differ from the national baseline. A high-demand metro market may come in above the national estimate, while a lower-cost region may come in below it. Seasonality and prevailing wage laws also influence local pricing. The estimate here is a planning tool — always get 3+ written quotes from licensed, insured local plumbers for your specific project.

Yes, most jurisdictions require a plumbing permit for whole-house repiping. Permit costs range from $100–$500 depending on your city or county. A licensed plumber will typically pull the permit for you, and the cost may or may not be included in their quote. Permits ensure the work is inspected and meets local building codes, which is important for insurance and future home sales. Slab foundation jobs often require higher permit fees (~$500) due to the additional structural considerations. Unpermitted work can cause major headaches when selling your home.

Homeowners insurance typically does NOT cover repiping due to age, corrosion, or normal wear and tear — these are considered maintenance issues. Insurance may cover water damage from a sudden, accidental pipe burst, but not the cost of replacing the pipes themselves. Some insurers offer optional 'service line' or 'equipment breakdown' coverage that may help with repiping costs. If your pipes burst and cause water damage, the damage repair may be covered but the pipe replacement usually isn't. Check your policy and talk to your agent before starting a repipe project.

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Last updated Jul 12, 2026