Cost to Re-Pipe a House
Updated February 25, 2026
Re-piping replaces all the water supply lines in your house -- from the main shut-off to every fixture. It is a major project but sometimes the only option when old galvanized or polybutylene pipes are failing across the system. Spot repairs on corroded pipes are temporary. A full repipe solves the problem permanently. PEX has made repiping dramatically cheaper than it was in the copper-only era. A 1,500 square foot house repipe in PEX costs $2,000-$5,000. The same repipe in copper costs $5,000-$12,000. Here is what determines the price.
Overview
Re-piping replaces all the water supply lines in your house -- from the main shut-off to every fixture. It is a major project but sometimes the only option when old galvanized or polybutylene pipes are failing across the system. Spot repairs on corroded pipes are temporary. A full repipe solves the problem permanently. PEX has made repiping dramatically cheaper than it was in the copper-only era. A 1,500 square foot house repipe in PEX costs $2,000-$5,000. The same repipe in copper costs $5,000-$12,000. Here is what determines the price.
Cost Breakdown
PEX Repipe Cost
PEX tubing: $0.30-$0.80 per foot. Total materials for a typical 3-bedroom house: $300-$800. Labor: $1,500-$4,000 depending on house size, number of fixtures, and accessibility. Total installed: $2,000-$5,000 for a 1,500 sqft house with 2 bathrooms, kitchen, and laundry. Larger homes (2,500+ sqft, 3+ bathrooms): $4,000-$8,000. PEX installs 3-4x faster than copper because it bends around corners (fewer fittings), feeds through walls like wire, and uses crimp or push-fit connections instead of soldering.
Copper Repipe Cost
Copper pipe: $1.50-$4.00 per foot (prices fluctuate with commodity markets). Total materials: $800-$2,500. Labor: $3,000-$8,000 (copper requires soldering every fitting, which takes 3-4x longer than PEX crimp connections). Total installed: $5,000-$12,000 for a 1,500 sqft house. Larger homes: $8,000-$15,000+. Copper is still preferred in some situations: exposed runs where appearance matters, outdoor applications (PEX degrades in UV), and jurisdictions that require copper for the first few feet from the meter.
What Drives Cost Up
- Number of fixtures: each fixture (toilet, sink, shower, dishwasher, washing machine, hose bib) requires a supply line run.
- A house with 15 fixtures costs more than one with 8.
- Accessibility: pipes in open basements and crawlspaces are easy to reach.
- Pipes in finished walls, slab foundations, or multi-story homes require more cutting, patching, and time.
- Wall repair: the plumber cuts drywall to access pipes.
- Patching and painting the walls afterward is a separate cost -- $500-$2,000 depending on how much cutting is needed.
- Permit and inspection: $100-$300 in most areas.
- Required for a full repipe.
- Old pipe removal: some plumbers leave old pipes in the walls (abandoned in place).
- Others remove them -- add $500-$1,500 for removal if required.
When Re-Piping Is Necessary
- Galvanized steel pipes: corrode from the inside, restrict flow, produce rust-colored water.
- If your house has galvanized pipes (grey, threaded, rough-textured), repiping is a matter of when, not if.
- Most galvanized pipes fail at 40-60 years.
- Polybutylene pipes (grey plastic, 1978-1995): prone to sudden failure from chlorine in municipal water.
- Insurance companies and home buyers avoid houses with polybutylene.
- Repipe for both safety and resale value.
- Copper with widespread pinhole leaks: if multiple sections of copper have pinhole leaks from pitting corrosion, the entire system is failing.
- Spot repairs are temporary.
DIY Repipe: Is It Realistic?
A full house repipe is a major project but technically within reach of an experienced DIYer using PEX with crimp or push-fit fittings. The plumbing itself is straightforward -- it is the drywall cutting, pipe routing through walls, and inspection process that add complexity. DIY savings: $1,500-$4,000 in labor. You still need the permit and inspection ($100-$300). A manifold system simplifies DIY repiping: one central manifold with a dedicated line to each fixture. No tee fittings in walls, easier to route, and allows individual fixture shut-offs.
Safety Warnings
- Delaying a repipe on galvanized or polybutylene pipes. Both materials fail progressively. Each month of delay increases the risk of a catastrophic failure and water damage that costs far more than the repipe.
Pro Tips
- Get three quotes and ask each plumber: PEX or copper? How many wall openings? Does the quote include wall patching? Is the permit included? Will old pipes be removed or abandoned?
- PEX manifold systems ($50-$150 for the manifold) run dedicated lines from a central point. More tubing is used, but fewer fittings and easier troubleshooting. Many plumbers prefer this approach for repiping.
- Save the old copper pipe and sell it for scrap. A full house of 1/2-inch and 3/4-inch copper is worth $100-$400 at scrap prices.
- Schedule the repipe when you can vacate the house for 1-3 days. The water is off during the work. Some plumbers can do a phased approach (one bathroom at a time) to maintain partial water access.
Mistakes to Avoid
- Getting only one quote. Repipe pricing varies by 50-100% between plumbers because they assess the difficulty differently.
- Not budgeting for wall repair after the repipe. The plumber cuts holes in drywall to route pipes. Patching, mudding, and painting those holes costs $500-$2,000 depending on the number of openings.
- Choosing copper for the entire repipe when PEX is 60-70% cheaper and performs equally well for interior supply lines.
- Delaying a repipe on galvanized or polybutylene pipes. Both materials fail progressively. Each month of delay increases the risk of a catastrophic failure and water damage that costs far more than the repipe.
Bottom Line
PEX repipe: $2,000-$5,000 for a typical house. Copper repipe: $5,000-$12,000. PEX is the clear value winner for most residential repiping. Budget an additional $500-$2,000 for wall repair after the plumbing work. A repipe is a major investment but solves systemic pipe failure permanently -- no more spot repairs, rust-colored water, or low pressure from corroded lines.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are expert tips for cost to re-pipe a house?
Get three quotes and ask each plumber: PEX or copper? How many wall openings? Does the quote include wall patching? Is the permit included? Will old pipes be removed or abandoned? PEX manifold systems ($50-$150 for the manifold) run dedicated lines from a central point. More tubing is used, but fewer fittings and easier troubleshooting. Many plumbers prefer this approach for repiping. Save the old copper pipe and sell it for scrap. A full house of 1/2-inch and 3/4-inch copper is worth $100-$400 at scrap prices. Schedule the repipe when you can vacate the house for 1-3 days. The water is off during the work. Some plumbers can do a phased approach (one bathroom at a time) to maintain partial water access.
What mistakes should I avoid with cost to re-pipe a house?
Getting only one quote. Repipe pricing varies by 50-100% between plumbers because they assess the difficulty differently. Not budgeting for wall repair after the repipe. The plumber cuts holes in drywall to route pipes. Patching, mudding, and painting those holes costs $500-$2,000 depending on the number of openings. Choosing copper for the entire repipe when PEX is 60-70% cheaper and performs equally well for interior supply lines. Delaying a repipe on galvanized or polybutylene pipes. Both materials fail progressively. Each month of delay increases the risk of a catastrophic failure and water damage that costs far more than the repipe.
What is the bottom line on cost to re-pipe a house?
PEX repipe: $2,000-$5,000 for a typical house. Copper repipe: $5,000-$12,000. PEX is the clear value winner for most residential repiping. Budget an additional $500-$2,000 for wall repair after the plumbing work. A repipe is a major investment but solves systemic pipe failure permanently -- no more spot repairs, rust-colored water, or low pressure from corroded lines.
What's the bottom line on cost to re-pipe a house?
PEX repipe: $2,000-$5,000 for a typical house. Copper repipe: $5,000-$12,000. PEX is the clear value winner for most residential repiping. Budget an additional $500-$2,000 for wall repair after the plumbing work. A repipe is a major investment but solves systemic pipe failure permanently -- no more spot repairs, rust-colored water, or low pressure from corroded lines.
How much does cost to re-pipe a house cost?
The typical cost range is $2,000-$15,000 depending on material and house size. Actual costs depend on your location, materials, and whether you hire a professional.