House Repiping Cost Calculator

Square Footage

Number of Bathrooms

Pipe Material

Foundation Type

Number of Stories

Estimated Repiping Cost

$9,600

9.6K

Cost Breakdown

Where your money goes

Labor

$4,550

Materials

$2,450

Permits

$350

Restoration

$2,250

Cost Details

Itemized estimate breakdown

Labor

$4,550

47% of total

Materials

$2,450

26% of total

Permits

$350

4% of total

Drywall Restoration

$2,250

23% of total

Project Details

Metrics, timeline, and cost range

Cost per Sq Ft

$5.33/sq ft

Cost per Fixture

$960.00/fixture

Est. Duration

3days

Base Cost

$5,650before adjustments

Range

$7,680–$11,520

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 is the most affordable ($2.25/sq ft) and easiest to install. Copper is the most durable ($4.25/sq ft) and preferred for resale. CPVC is a budget alternative ($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 labor, materials, 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

Most affordable — $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

Budget alternative — $2.00/sq ft installed

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

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, materials, and the repiping process

The cost to repipe a house ranges from about $3,000 for a small home with PEX to $25,000+ for a large home with copper on a slab foundation. A typical 1,500–2,000 sq ft, 2-bath home on a crawlspace with PEX costs $6,800–$12,400 (including permits and drywall repair), while copper runs $10,100–$18,500. Key factors include square footage, number of bathrooms, pipe material, foundation type, layout complexity, and whether you include drywall restoration. Slab foundations add about 35%. Use our calculator above for a personalized estimate.

PEX (cross-linked polyethylene) is the most affordable repiping material at $1.50–$3.00 per square foot installed. It's flexible, freeze-resistant, and requires fewer fittings than copper or CPVC, which reduces labor time. CPVC is a close second at $1.50–$2.50 per sq ft. Copper is the most expensive at $3.00–$5.50 per sq ft installed, but offers the longest lifespan (50–70+ years) and best resale value. For a budget-conscious repipe, PEX is the clear winner — expect to pay about half of what copper would cost.

It depends on your priorities. PEX is cheaper, faster to install, freeze-resistant, and quieter (no water hammer). Copper is more durable (50–70+ year lifespan vs 30–50 for PEX), naturally antimicrobial, and preferred by some home buyers for resale value. In areas with aggressive water chemistry, copper can corrode, making PEX the better choice. For budget-conscious homeowners in cold climates, PEX is usually the winner. For long-term homes where resale value matters, copper may be worth the premium. CPVC is a middle ground — affordable but with less flexibility and a shorter track record than PEX.

A full house repipe typically takes 2–5 days, depending on home size, accessibility, and number of fixtures. A 2-bath, 1,500 sq ft home with PEX usually takes 2–3 days. Slab foundation homes or complex layouts can take 4–5 days. Additional time is needed after the plumbing work for drywall repair, texture matching, and painting, which is usually handled separately by a drywall contractor. Most plumbers complete the plumbing work in one work week, but the full project including wall repair can span 1–2 weeks.

Most plumbers do NOT include drywall repair and painting in their repiping quote — this is the most common surprise cost for homeowners. Plumbers cut access holes in walls and ceilings to reach pipes but typically do not patch them afterward. Expect to pay $1,200–$3,500 extra for a drywall contractor to patch holes, match texture, and prime the repaired areas. Always ask your plumber explicitly whether wall repair is included in their estimate. Our calculator lets you toggle drywall restoration on/off to see the cost difference.

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.

If your home has galvanized steel pipes (common in homes built before 1960), polybutylene pipes (1970s–1990s), or is 50+ years old with multiple leaks, a full repipe is strongly recommended. Partial repipes create weak points at the junctions where old and new pipes connect, potentially causing new leaks. If only one section has an issue and the rest of your plumbing is modern copper or PEX, a targeted repair may be sufficient. A good rule of thumb: if you've had 2+ leaks in the past year, it's time for a full repipe — you'll spend more on repeated repairs than on a complete replacement.

For a typical 1,500 sq ft, 2-bathroom home with crawlspace foundation, including permits and drywall restoration: PEX costs $6,840–$10,260 (around $8,550), Copper costs $10,120–$15,180 (around $12,650), and CPVC costs $6,340–$9,510 (around $7,925). These estimates include 2 bathrooms, kitchen, laundry, water heater connection, and 1 outdoor spigot. The range reflects ±20% contractor variation. Excluding drywall repair and permits reduces these by about $2,200. Use our calculator above with your exact home configuration for a personalized estimate.

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.

Key warning signs include: discolored water (rusty brown or yellow from corroding galvanized pipes), low water pressure that affects multiple fixtures, frequent leaks or pinhole leaks, visible corrosion or flaking on exposed pipes, pipes that are 50+ years old (especially galvanized steel), polybutylene pipes (gray plastic, common in homes built 1970s–1990s), water that tastes metallic, and banging or rattling noises in pipes (water hammer). If you notice multiple signs, get a professional plumbing inspection. Homes with original plumbing from before 1970 almost certainly need repiping.

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Last updated Jun 4, 2026