Whole-House Repiping Cost
Whole-house repiping runs $4,000 to $15,000. PEX is typically 30 to 40 percent cheaper than copper. The most common quote dispute is drywall restoration, so confirm in writing whether patching, texture, and paint are included.
Cost breakdown
National baseline ranges. Any state guide re-prices these for local labour costs.
| Item | Typical low | Typical high | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| PEX repipe, 1-2 bathrooms | $4,000 | $8,000 | Single story with accessible attic or crawlspace |
| PEX repipe, 3+ bathrooms | $7,000 | $12,000 | Multi-story adds vertical runs and more wall openings |
| Copper repipe, 1-2 bathrooms | $6,000 | $11,000 | Material and labour both higher than PEX |
| Copper repipe, 3+ bathrooms | $10,000 | $18,000 | Top of the residential range |
| Slab home surcharge | $1,000 | $4,000 | Overhead rerouting instead of under-slab replacement |
| Drywall patch, texture, and paint | $800 | $3,500 | The most common scope dispute; confirm inclusion |
| Permit and inspection | $150 | $800 | Required in nearly all jurisdictions |
| Pressure regulator, if needed | $250 | $600 | Worth adding if incoming pressure exceeds 80 psi |
Editorial estimates for orientation, not quotes. Always get a written estimate before work begins.
What drives the price
- Material
- PEX runs 30 to 40 percent below copper, installs faster, and has fewer joints to fail
- Access
- An accessible attic or crawlspace keeps wall openings minimal. A slab home with finished ceilings is the expensive case
- Number of fixtures
- Cost scales with fixture count more than square footage
- Stories
- Multi-story homes need vertical chases opened, which adds both plumbing and restoration work
- Restoration scope
- Whether the quote closes the walls back up, and to what standard, can swing the total by thousands
When repiping is genuinely warranted
The honest test is pattern rather than severity. Two or more leaks in different parts of the same system within a couple of years means the system is failing rather than unlucky, because the pipe everywhere else is the same age and condition.
Two materials justify repiping regardless of leak history. Polybutylene, gray or blue flexible plastic installed from the late 1970s into the mid-1990s, degrades from the inside and fails without warning. Galvanized steel corrodes internally until flow drops even where it is not leaking; low pressure with no visible leak on an old galvanized system is close to diagnostic.
PEX or copper
PEX costs less, installs faster with far fewer joints, tolerates freezing considerably better because it can expand, and resists the water chemistry that pits copper. For most repipes today it is the pragmatic choice.
Copper's advantages are longevity where conditions suit it, tolerance of high temperatures, and buyer perception in some markets. It is also more vulnerable to freeze damage and to aggressive water, which is exactly why so many copper systems are being repiped in PEX.
The scope question that causes most disputes
Repiping means opening walls and ceilings to reach the pipe. Every quote covers the plumbing. Not every quote covers putting the house back together, and the difference is frequently thousands of dollars.
Get it in writing: does the price include patching, texture matching, and paint, or does it end at the plumbing with open holes? Both are legitimate ways to sell the job, but comparing a quote that includes restoration against one that does not is comparing nothing at all.
Frequently asked questions
How long does repiping take?
Typically two to five days for an average home, plus restoration time if drywall work is included. Most households stay in the house through it; water is shut off during working hours and restored at the end of each day.
Is PEX safe for drinking water?
Yes. PEX is certified to NSF/ANSI 61 for potable water and is approved in essentially every US plumbing code. Some people notice a slight taste in the first weeks after installation, which dissipates after the system is flushed and used.
Will repiping increase my home's value?
It does not add value the way a kitchen remodel does, but it removes a deduction. Galvanized or polybutylene supply piping is something inspectors flag and buyers negotiate on. A documented, permitted repipe closes that issue and makes the disclosure a positive rather than a problem.
Can I repipe part of the house?
Yes, and partial repipes are a legitimate middle path, particularly when one branch is failing and the rest is a different material or age. The caveat is that on a uniformly aged system, doing half means returning for the other half later at full mobilization cost, which is usually worse value than doing it once.
Related cost guides
- Burst Pipe Repair CostWhat burst pipe repair costs by location and pipe type, plus the water damage costs that usually exceed the plumbing.
- Slab Leak Repair CostWhat it costs to find and fix a leak under a concrete foundation, and when rerouting beats repairing in place.
- How Much Does an Emergency Plumber Cost?What emergency plumbing actually costs, how after-hours premiums work, and which problems are cheaper to schedule for morning.
Related services
- Whole-House RepipingReplacement of a home's supply piping where the existing system has reached end of life, using PEX or copper.
- Emergency Leak DetectionNon-invasive location of hidden water leaks behind walls, under floors, and beneath slabs using acoustic, thermal, and pressure testing equipment.
- Emergency Burst Pipe RepairA burst pipe releases water continuously until the supply is shut off. Emergency repair covers isolation, pipe section replacement, and pressure testing.
Common questions
Related articles
- The Five-Minute Habits That Prevent Most Plumbing EmergenciesA short list of genuinely high-return maintenance, and an honest note about which common advice is not worth your time.
- The First Ten Minutes of a Plumbing EmergencyWhat you do before the plumber arrives determines most of the damage. The order of operations that limits it.
- Why Pipes Burst in Cold States and Catastrophically in Warm OnesMinnesota freezes harder than Texas every year and loses fewer pipes. The reason is preparation, not temperature.