Plumbing · national cost guide
Whole House Repipe cost (2026)
Whole-house repipe costs $3,400–$8,000 in 2026, or about $5,700 for a typical job. Replacing a home's water supply piping — typically swapping old galvanized or failing pipe for PEX or copper. That national figure is the starting point — labor rates, climate and permit fees move it, so a whole-house repipe in San Jose prices differently than in El Paso.
Most jobs land around $5,700 nationally; your local price will differ.
Whole House Repipe cost by type
National ranges by option. Localize any of these to your city below.
| Type | National 2026 range |
|---|---|
| PEX | $3,400 – $7,000 |
| CPVC | $4,000 – $8,000 |
| Copper | $6,000 – $15,000 |
Whole House Repipe cost by home size
Repipe cost scales with how many bathrooms and fixtures the crew has to reach — more baths means more runs, more wall and ceiling access, and more labor. Pricing below assumes standard single-story access.
| home size | National 2026 range |
|---|---|
| 1 bath / ~1,000 sq ft | $3,000 – $5,500 |
| 2 bath / ~1,500 sq ft | $3,800 – $7,000 |
| 3 bath / ~2,000 sq ft | $4,800 – $9,000 |
| 4+ bath / 2,500+ sq ft | $6,000 – $12,000 |
National ranges before local adjustment — pick a city below to localize any row.
Whole House Repipe cost by efficiency tier
The pipe material drives both price and longevity. PEX is flexible, fast to run, and the cheapest to install; rigid copper costs more in material and labor but is the long-haul standard many buyers prefer.
| Tier | National 2026 range |
|---|---|
| PEX (cross-linked polyethylene)Cheapest to install; flexible, freeze-tolerant | $3,000 – $6,000 |
| CPVCMid-cost rigid plastic; common in hot-water lines | $3,500 – $7,000 |
| Copper (rigid)Highest cost; long lifespan, resale appeal | $5,000 – $12,000 |
Where this number comes from
The 2026 national range for whole-house repipe ($3,400–$8,000) is anchored to published industry, contractor and manufacturer pricing for the equipment plus typical installation labor. City pages take that range and adjust it three ways: the labor share is repriced from BLS OEWS metro trade wages where available and the BEA Regional Price Parity index elsewhere, the plumbing load is adjusted for the IECC climate zone, and a typical local permit fee is added.
- LaborBLS OEWS metro wages · BEA RPP
- ClimateIECC / DOE climate zones
- IncentivesIRS 25C/25D status · DSIRE
Every figure here is a research estimate, not a quote. Read the full method and sources in how we estimate costs.
Additional whole-house repipe costs to budget for
These line items sit outside the base quote often enough that leaving them out is the most common way a budget slips.
| Drywall & wall/ceiling patch + repaintCrews open walls to reach pipes; finishing is often separate | $500 – $3,000 |
| Permit & inspection | $100 – $500 |
| Move out / hotel during workWhole-house repipes can take 2–5 days with water off | $0 – $1,000 |
| Replace shutoff valves & supply lines | $150 – $600 |
| Slab access / concrete cut (slab homes)Only if lines run under a concrete slab | $1,000 – $4,000 |
How long does whole-house repipe last?
PEX and CPVC last ~40–50+ years; copper commonly reaches 50–70+ years. A repipe is essentially a once-in-a-lifetime job.
Repiped supply lines need almost no upkeep; budget only for the occasional shutoff-valve or fixture check.
Signs you need whole-house repipe
- Chronic low water pressure throughout the house
- Rusty, brown, or metallic-tasting water (corroding pipes)
- Frequent or repeated pinhole leaks and pipe repairs
- Old galvanized steel, polybutylene, or lead supply pipes
- Banging, knocking, or whistling pipes (water hammer / corrosion)
- Visible corrosion, flaking, or green stains on exposed pipe
- The home is 50+ years old on its original plumbing
Repair or replace?
Repair if…
- A single, accessible leak in otherwise sound modern pipe (PEX/copper)
- The rest of the system is under ~25 years old and leak-free
- The damaged section is short and easy to isolate
Replace if…
- Pipes are galvanized steel, polybutylene, or lead
- Leaks keep recurring in different spots (systemic corrosion)
- Water pressure and water quality are both declining
- You're already gutting walls for a remodel (do it once)
whole-house repipe guides & advice
All guides →Where whole-house repipe costs the most & least
2026 estimates for major U.S. cities, fully localized. Tap through for any city's full breakdown.
Most affordable
Whole House Repipe cost by state
Choose your state below; we've localized this project for 558+ cities across 51 states.
- Alabama9
- Alaska3
- Arizona15
- Arkansas7
- California73
- Colorado8
- Connecticut7
- Delaware2
- District of Columbia1
- Florida39
- Georgia14
- Hawaii3
- Idaho8
- Illinois16
- Indiana11
- Iowa9
- Kansas8
- Kentucky8
- Louisiana9
- Maine3
- Maryland5
- Massachusetts14
- Michigan15
- Minnesota9
- Mississippi5
- Missouri12
- Montana5
- Nebraska3
- Nevada7
- New Hampshire1
- New Jersey10
- New Mexico6
- New York22
- North Carolina16
- North Dakota5
- Ohio12
- Oklahoma3
- Oregon8
- Pennsylvania13
- Rhode Island2
- South Carolina10
- South Dakota3
- Tennessee13
- Texas39
- Utah8
- Vermont1
- Virginia16
- Washington18
- West Virginia4
- Wisconsin17
- Wyoming3
Prefer a full list? Browse all 558+ cities →
What affects the price
- Home size and number of bathrooms
- PEX vs copper
- Slab vs crawlspace/basement access
- Wall opening and patching needed
Ways to cut the cost
- PEX costs less than copper and installs faster
- Repipe during a remodel to share wall access
- Act before a leak causes water damage
- Get multiple licensed-plumber bids
Cheapest time for whole-house repipe
You can't time an emergency, but you can time a repipe or sewer job — and doing it in a slower month means slightly better pricing and a crew with the bandwidth to do it right.
Questions to ask Plumbing contractors
The answers to these separate a thorough bid from a cheap one; ask all of them before you compare totals.
- 1Trenchless vs. traditional dig — which fits my situation and why?
- 2Is a camera inspection included so we confirm the scope before digging?
- 3Are permits, inspection, and surface/landscape restoration included?
- 4What pipe material are you using (PEX vs. copper) and why?
- 5Who is responsible for the city-owned portion of the line?
Whole House Repipe cost questions
How much does whole-house repipe cost in 2026?
Nationally, whole-house repipe runs about $3,400–$8,000, with most homeowners paying around $5,700. Your city moves this based on local labor, climate and permits — El Paso, TX is among the lowest ($5,050) and San Jose, CA among the highest ($7,400).
What are the main types of whole-house repipe and how do they compare?
PEX ($3,400–$7,000); CPVC ($4,000–$8,000); Copper ($6,000–$15,000). Pick a city below to localize any of these to your area.
What affects the cost of whole-house repipe?
Home size and number of bathrooms; PEX vs copper; Slab vs crawlspace/basement access; Wall opening and patching needed.
Whole House Repipe cost by home size?
1 bath / ~1,000 sq ft: $3,000–$5,500; 2 bath / ~1,500 sq ft: $3,800–$7,000; 3 bath / ~2,000 sq ft: $4,800–$9,000; 4+ bath / 2,500+ sq ft: $6,000–$12,000. These are national ranges before local labor, climate and permit adjustments.
What extra costs should I budget for beyond the quote?
Drywall & wall/ceiling patch + repaint ($500–$3,000); Permit & inspection ($100–$500); Move out / hotel during work ($0–$1,000); Replace shutoff valves & supply lines ($150–$600). These sit outside most base quotes.
How long does whole-house repipe last?
50–100 years is the typical service life. PEX and CPVC last ~40–50+ years; copper commonly reaches 50–70+ years. A repipe is essentially a once-in-a-lifetime job. Budget $0–$150 a year for maintenance.
Should I repair or replace?
If you're patching the same lines more than once or twice a year — or the pipes are galvanized/polybutylene — a full repipe usually beats spending repeatedly on spot fixes. Repair makes sense when a single, accessible leak in otherwise sound modern pipe (pex/copper). Replace when pipes are galvanized steel, polybutylene, or lead.
When is the cheapest time for whole-house repipe?
The best window is off-peak winter for planned work, when demand drops and installers discount — typically Around 5% off peak pricing. Avoid anytime it becomes an emergency.