Whole-House Repiping Cost

National cost range

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.

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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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.

Direct answer

Whole-house repiping in 2026 typically costs $4,000 to $18,000 for a 1,500–2,500 square foot home, with planning near $9,000 nationally. PEX through a crawlspace ranch often runs $4,000 to $8,000; two-story PEX with finished-wall access $7,000 to $14,000; copper repipe $10,000 to $18,000; slab-on-grade PEX via attic and walls $8,000 to $16,000; partial kitchen-and-bath repipe $2,500 to $6,000. Galvanized and polybutylene failures, slab versus crawl access, and wall repair after holes matter more than fixture count alone.

What each price band actually buys

Low end

Single-story crawlspace home, PEX, minimal finished-wall intrusion, standard fixture count.

Typical

Two-story PEX repipe, strategic access holes, pressure test, permit, water restored nightly during multi-day job.

High end

Copper pipe, slab home with attic routing, extensive drywall repair, high fixture count.

Labor vs materials

Typical split for this job nationally: roughly 65% labor and 35% materials. Crew size is usually 2–4 plumbers, across two to five consecutive days on site.

What this price usually does not include

• Full drywall finish and paint unless line-itemed
• Water heater replacement unless bundled
• Sewer lateral or drain line replacement
• Mold remediation from long-term leaks
• Hardscape cutting for rare exterior supply routes
• Temporary housing during extended water outages

Hidden costs that show up on real jobs

Regional variation

Repipe labor dominates: West Coast and Northeast crews often quote above Sun Belt crawlspace ranches for the same footage. Aggressive water chemistry may push copper preference. Use `/home/cost/whole-house-repiping/[metro]` when published to compare PEX versus copper scope.

Code upgrades this job can trigger

• Accessible main shutoff and fixture stops where required
• Approved PEX or copper materials and fittings listed for potable water
• Pressure test documentation for permit
• Dielectric unions where dissimilar metals meet
• Expansion loops or supports per manufacturer on PEX

Repair vs replace

Partial repipe helps when one branch of galvanized is failing but the remainder tests sound—budget $2,500 to $6,000. Whole-house repipe is appropriate for polybutylene, widespread corrosion, or insurer mandates. Spot clamps on galvanized buy months, not decades. If slab leaks recur, compare repipe-through-attic to repeated jackhammer repairs on the slab-leak guide economics.

Timeline and visits

Water is usually restored each evening during a two- to five-day repipe. Drywall repair adds one to three weeks if scheduled separately. Copper jobs may run longer than PEX for the same footprint.

Quote checklist — line items a fair bid should show

1. Pipe material: PEX versus copper
2. Home stories, square footage, and access type
3. Number of access holes and who patches drywall
4. Permit and pressure test
5. Fixture count and manifold location
6. Water heater connection scope
7. Cleanup and disposal of old pipe
8. Warranty on workmanship and materials

Questions to ask before you sign

• Will we have water each night during the repipe?
• How many drywall holes per room and who finishes them?
• Why PEX versus copper for my water chemistry and HOA rules?
• Is the scope whole-house or partial, and what triggers full repipe?
• Will you pull permit and leave pressure test documentation?
• What is the change-order rate if galvanized breaks during pull?

Quote red flags for this job

• Repipe quoted without site visit for access type
• No permit on whole-house water supply replacement
• Polybutylene left in place behind walls “because it looks fine”
• Drywall repair entirely excluded without hourly rate
• Price per foot without total footage estimate
• Cash discount with no warranty

Payment schedule norms

Repipes often use 20–30% start, 40% mid-job, 30% at pressure test and inspection. Hold final until water restoration and leak walkthrough complete.

Seasonality

Winter freeze regions may prioritize repipes before heating season; summer is busy for crawlspace access in humid climates.

Can you do it yourself?

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