Skip to main content
True Trade Path

Cost guide

Whole-House Repiping Cost

Replacing all water supply lines in a home — typically galvanized steel or polybutylene with copper or PEX.

Typical range
$4,000–$18,000
Most people pay
$9,000
Service life
50+ years for copper; 40–50 years for PEX

National cost range

National range, per house, 1,500–2,500 sq ft

$4,000 – $18,000

Most homeowners pay around $9,000. The spread is real, not hedging — the drivers below determine which end of it you land on.

Low end
$4,000
Simple access, like-for-like
Typical
$9,000
What most jobs come in at
High end
$18,000
Upgrades, difficult access, code work

What you are actually paying for

Find the row that matches your situation. Quotes that differ wildly from each other usually differ in scope, not in price.

ScenarioTypical cost
1,500 sq ft ranch, PEX, crawlspace accessThe most straightforward repipe configuration.$4,000–$8,000
2,000 sq ft two-story, PEX, finished wallsAccess holes and patching add cost.$7,000–$14,000
2,000 sq ft, copper repipeCopper material and soldering labor cost more than PEX.$10,000–$18,000
Slab-on-grade home, PEX through atticNo crawlspace — all lines fished through walls and ceiling.$8,000–$16,000
Partial repipe — kitchen and bath onlyWhen only the worst sections of galvanized are failing.$2,500–$6,000

What moves the price

In descending order of impact. These are also the questions worth asking a contractor whose quote sits outside the range above.

  1. Existing pipe material

    Galvanized steel is the most common trigger — it corrodes from the inside and restricts flow. Polybutylene (grey plastic) is a failure risk at fittings. Copper repipes cost more in material than PEX.

  2. PEX versus copper

    PEX is faster to install and costs 30 to 50% less in material. Copper lasts longer and is preferred in areas with aggressive water chemistry. Some HOAs and historic districts require copper.

  3. Access — slab versus crawlspace

    Homes on a slab require pipes run through walls and attic — more labor than a crawlspace home where lines run below the floor.

  4. Number of fixtures and stories

    A single-story ranch repipes faster than a two-story colonial with fixtures on both levels and a finished basement.

  5. Wall repair after

    Repiping through finished walls requires access holes that need drywall repair and painting. Some plumbers include basic patching; full restoration is often a separate contractor.

Can you do it yourself?

Not a DIY job

Whole-house repiping requires licensed plumbing work, proper connections, pressure testing, and a permit. The scope and code compliance requirements make this a professional-only job.

Permits and inspection

A plumbing permit is required. The inspection verifies proper materials, connections, and that shutoff valves are installed at key locations.
Run the DIY vs. pro decisionCheck a quote you already have

When this cannot wait

  • Rust-colored water from multiple fixtures
  • Low water pressure throughout the house that worsens over time
  • Visible corrosion or leaks at galvanized fittings
  • Polybutylene piping — insurers may surcharge or decline coverage

Common questions

How much does it cost to repipe a house with PEX?
A whole-house PEX repipe for a 2,000 square foot home typically runs $6,000 to $12,000, including materials and labor. Crawlspace homes cost less than slab-on-grade homes. Copper repiping runs 40 to 60% more.
How long does a whole-house repipe take?
Two to five days for a typical single-family home. Water is usually restored each evening during the process. Plan for drywall repair and painting after if pipes were run through finished walls.
Should I repipe with copper or PEX?
PEX is faster, cheaper, and freeze-tolerant. Copper is more durable in aggressive water and is required in some jurisdictions and HOAs. For most residential repipes, PEX is the practical choice.
Does insurance cover repiping?
Standard homeowners policies do not cover repiping for wear or corrosion. Some insurers require repiping of polybutylene or galvanized systems as a condition of coverage. Sudden pipe bursts may be covered; gradual deterioration is not.
Low water pressure in the whole house with galvanized pipes — repipe cost?
Galvanized pipes corrode internally and choke flow. Whole-house PEX repipe for a 2,000 square foot home runs $6,000 to $12,000. Pressure often doubles after repiping. Spot repairs on galvanized fail within 1 to 2 years — full repipe is the durable fix.
Polybutylene pipes and insurance won't cover the house — repipe cost?
Polybutylene repiping runs $6,000 to $12,000 for a typical home. Insurance cancellation for poly-B is common. Repiping restores insurability and eliminates the class-action-era failure risk. PEX is the standard replacement material.
Third pinhole leak in copper pipe this year — repipe or repair?
Three pinholes in a year means systemic corrosion — spot repairs at $300 to $800 each will continue. Whole-house repipe runs $6,000 to $12,000 versus $900 to $2,400 per year in repeated emergency repairs. Repipe after the third failure.
Rusty water from all faucets — what does repiping a house cost?
Rust from all taps indicates deteriorating supply pipes. Whole-house repipe runs $6,000 to $12,000. Water clears within days of repiping. A whole-house filter ($800 to $1,800) masks the problem without fixing it if pipes are corroding.
How long will I be without water during a whole-house repipe?
Water is typically off 4 to 8 hours per day during the 2 to 5 day project. Plumbers restore service each evening. Plan for bottled water and no laundry. Full project timeline: 2 to 5 days plus drywall repair ($500 to $2,000) if pipes ran through finished walls.
Why does repiping a slab house cost more than a crawlspace home?
Slab-on-grade homes route new pipes through walls and attic instead of under the floor, adding 30 to 50% labor. Slab repipes run $8,000 to $15,000 versus $6,000 to $12,000 for crawlspace homes. The alternative — jackhammering the slab — costs even more.

Not sure this is the problem?

Decide what to do next

Other cost guides

Find plumbers near you