How Much Does It Cost to Repipe a House?

The total cost of repiping a house depends on several factors, including home size, number of stories, plumbing fixture count, accessibility of existing pipes, permit and inspection requirements, and labor involved in both installation and drywall repair. These elements directly affect the amount of piping needed, the time required to complete the job and the complexity of accessing and replacing old plumbing.

Home Size and Number of Stories

Repiping cost increases with both square footage and the number of stories because these factors determine the total piping length, vertical routing complexity, and overall labor required. A single-story home under 2,200 sq ft may require 1,000 to 1,200 linear feet of pipe, while a two-story home over 3,500 sq ft could need more than 2,000 linear feet. The added complexity in multi-story homes comes from routing pipes between floors, maintaining pressure balance, and cutting through framed structures like fire blocks and floor joists. These tasks extend installation time and demand careful coordination across multiple access points, increasing overall project duration and cost by 15–25%.

Number of Plumbing Fixtures

The total fixture count significantly impacts repiping scope, since each fixture introduces new connection points, material requirements, and routing decisions. A home with 9 to 11 fixtures, including typical kitchens, bathrooms, and laundry areas, requires multiple branch lines and isolation valves. As the number of fixtures increases, so does the need for fittings, control loops, and extended runs, which drive up material volume and labor hours. Homes with 12 to 14 fixtures or more may involve split water zones, dual hot water feeds, and additional appliance hookups, each requiring precise pressure balancing and code-compliant layout. This added complexity can contribute $550 to $1,800 per fixture in cost.

Accessibility of Pipes

Pipe accessibility plays a critical role in labor intensity, as concealed, obstructed, or buried lines increase time and technical effort. When plumbing is routed behind walls, under slab foundations, or within crawl spaces, crews often need to cut through drywall, concrete, or flooring to reach connection points. For example, slab-on-grade homes require jackhammering or trenching to access buried supply lines, while older homes with lathe-and-plaster walls demand precision cuts to avoid structural or cosmetic damage. Installers may need to work around load-bearing walls, HVAC ducts, or electrical runs, which complicates routing. Inaccessible or obstructed piping can add 10 to 30% to the total labor cost, depending on layout and material constraints.

Permit and Inspection Requirements

Most municipalities require permits and inspections for repiping to ensure compliance with local plumbing codes, which adds both time and direct cost to the project. Permit fees generally range from $50 to $500, depending on location and scope. Once issued, inspections are typically scheduled at two stages: rough-in, to review pipe routing before walls are closed, and final, to confirm system integrity after pressurization and leak testing. Piping systems must pass static or dynamic pressure tests at 60 to 80 psi, holding pressure without loss for a fixed duration. Failing an inspection may delay the project and require additional work, increasing the total cost and timeline.

Labor and Drywall Repair Costs

Labor and wall restoration costs account for a substantial portion of repiping expenses, often making up 40 to 60% of the total budget. Skilled plumbing labor is billed at $45 and $200 per hour, and most whole-home repiping projects demand 60 to 100 hours of labor, depending on scope and access. Once new pipes are installed, walls, ceilings, or floors must be restored. This includes cutting, patching, taping, texturing, and painting drywall, often for $2 to $8 per square foot. Homes with custom textures, tiled walls, or premium finishes may require specialist repair crews, which further increases labor coordination and finishing costs.

House Repiping Cost Breakdown

House repiping costs are determined by national pricing benchmarks, cost per fixture, cost per square foot, pipe material type, and total home size. These specifications help define the scope of materials, labor intensity, and installation methods required. Since each of these factors carries an influence on pricing, understanding them individually is necessary to form an accurate project estimate. The following sections provide detailed insights into how each cost layer contributes to the overall repiping total. For homeowners, the most reliable way to get exact pricing is through a detailed in-home evaluation by a licensed contractor.

National Price Ranges

National repiping costs vary based on regional labor rates, material access, and local code requirements. Urban areas and states with stricter regulations often have higher costs due to licensing standards and labor premiums. In contrast, rural regions with lower demand or more accessible supply chains tend to fall on the lower end of the range. Recognizing these national differences is important when comparing estimates and planning a realistic budget.

Average National Cost Range

The average cost to repipe a house in the U.S. is approximately $7,500 for a full repipe in a 1,500 to 2,000 sq ft home with 10 to 12 plumbing fixtures, using PEX or CPVC. This estimate typically includes 1,200 to 1,600 linear feet of piping, basic permit fees, mid-range labor rates, and moderate drywall repair. Homes falling within this range usually have standard layouts and accessible piping routes that do not require extensive demolition or rerouting. While regional variations may shift the final price, this benchmark provides a solid reference point for average residential repiping projects.

Low-End vs High-End Scenarios

Repiping costs range significantly between basic installations and complex, large-scale projects due to differences in home size, plumbing system density, material use, and access requirements.

Low-End Scenarios

• Home size: Under 1,500 sq ft
• Fixture count: 6 to 8 fixtures
• Pipe type: PEX or CPVC
• Accessibility: Open walls or crawl space access
• Estimated pipe length: 800 to 1,000 linear feet
• Labor effort: Minimal wall cutting and quick routing
• Typical cost profile: Lower third of national range ($1,500 to $7,500)

High-End Scenarios

• Home size: Over 3,500 sq ft, multi-story
• Fixture count: 15+ fixtures
• Pipe type: Copper
• Accessibility: Slab foundation or blocked wall access
• Estimated pipe length: 2,000 to 2,500 linear feet
• Labor effort: Structural cuts, drywall demolition, complex rerouting
• Typical cost profile: Upper third of national range ($15,000 to $35,000)

Cost Per Fixture and Per Square Foot

Repiping costs are generally estimated using two approaches, where the cost per plumbing fixture ranges from $550 to $1,800 and the cost per square foot ranges from $2 to $8, depending on material type and project complexity. The fixture-based estimate considers each connection point, such as toilets, sinks, showers, and appliances, accounting for fittings, valves, and labor. Square footage pricing reflects the total piping length, system layout, and accessibility of pipe runs throughout the home. Both methods serve as practical starting points but should be validated through an on-site quote tailored to the home’s configuration.

Cost by Pipe Material

The choice between PEX, copper, and CPVC significantly affects installation method, labor effort, and long-term system performance. PEX is flexible and quick to install, copper is rigid and durable but needs open access, while CPVC provides a stable mid-range option with easy solvent-welded joints.

PEX Pipe Cost Per Foot

PEX pipe typically costs between $0.50 and $1.00 per linear foot, making it the most cost-effective option for whole-home repiping. It is flexible, easy to route through tight spaces, and requires fewer fittings, which reduces both material and labor time. PEX is resistant to scale and corrosion, performs well in a range of temperatures, and is commonly used in residential systems with minimal structural disruption. Installation is often faster because it can be snaked through walls without major demolition.

Copper Pipe Cost Per Foot

Copper pipe usually costs between $2.00 and $5.00 per linear foot, depending on wall thickness (Type L or Type M) and regional market pricing. It is valued for its long-term durability, resistance to ultraviolet degradation, and compatibility with high-pressure systems. However, copper requires soldered joints, is less flexible, and typically needs open-wall access for installation, which increases labor costs. It is commonly used in homes where long service life and water quality preservation are top priorities.

CPVC Pipe Cost Per Foot

CPVC pipe costs fall between $0.75 and $1.50 per linear foot, offering a middle-ground solution for homeowners seeking both affordability and reliable performance. CPVC is rigid and suited for both hot and cold water systems, with good resistance to chlorine and scaling. It requires solvent welding for installation, which is more labor-intensive than PEX but less demanding than copper soldering. CPVC is often chosen for homes with standard pressure requirements and moderate installation complexity.

Cost Comparison Table

 Cost by Home Size

The size of the home impacts the amount of piping, the number of connections, and the labor involved in repiping. Smaller homes are generally quicker to repipe, while larger homes require longer pipe runs and more access points. The sections below outline how different size ranges affect the project scope.

• Under 2,200 Sq Ft: Repiping a home under 2,200 sq ft typically costs between $6,600 and $7,000, depending on fixture count and access. These homes often have fewer than 10 fixtures and short, straight pipe runs that simplify labor and reduce material use.

• 2,200–2,500 Sq Ft: For homes between 2,200 and 2,500 sq ft, repiping usually ranges from $6,600 to $7,500. Layouts in this category may include two full bathrooms and additional utility fixtures, increasing branch line density and installation time.

• 2,500–3,500 Sq Ft: Repiping costs for homes in the 2,500 to 3,500 sq ft range typically fall between $7,500 and $10,500. These homes often require longer main lines, support more than 12 fixtures, and may involve partial access through ceilings and upper-floor framing.

• 3,500–4,500 Sq Ft: Homes sized between 3,500 and 4,500 sq ft usually cost $10,500 to $13,500 to repipe. These projects often involve multiple floors, high fixture density, and limited access zones, which raise labor intensity and routing complexity.

• Over 4,500 Sq Ft: Repiping homes over 4,500 sq ft generally costs over $13,500, reflecting extended pipe networks, 15+ fixtures, dual pressure zones, and potential inclusion of specialty areas such as outdoor kitchens or spa systems.

Note: All the above-mentioned costs are calculated on the basis of $3 per square foot.