Cost to Repipe a House

Repiping replaces the water supply lines throughout a house, usually because old galvanized, polybutylene or corroded copper pipe keeps leaking. Angi says the job runs $1,500 to $15,000, with most homeowners paying around $7,500. HomeGuide gives a similar $2,000 to $15,000 range and a national average of $4,080.

Cost by pipe material

PEX is flexible plastic tubing. It snakes through walls with fewer openings, which cuts both labor and drywall repair. Copper lasts a long time but costs more for material and labor. CPVC is a rigid plastic in between on price.

Cost by home size

Angi also gives a rough rule of about $1,200 per fixture, and HomeGuide $450 to $1,800 per fixture. More bathrooms, a second story and a finished basement all add pipe runs and wall openings.

Labor

Angi estimates labor at about 70% of the total, around $5,250 on a $7,500 job. Most whole-house repipes take several days.

Drywall repair

Plumbers open walls to run new pipe. Some include patching; many leave it to you or a drywall contractor. Angi lists repairs at around $300 for small fixes and $900 or more for larger ones; HomeGuide gives $300 to $1,500+. Ask whether patching and painting are in the quote.

Permits and inspections

Repiping usually requires a permit. Angi lists $50 to $500, plus $25 to $150 if a reinspection is needed.

Common add-ons

If your water heater is near the end of its life, replacing it during the repipe saves a second visit. See water heater replacement cost.

Repipe or repair?

One leak in otherwise sound pipe is a repair. Repeated leaks, low pressure from corroded galvanized pipe, discolored water or a known polybutylene system usually justify a full repipe. For a leak under a concrete floor, compare slab leak repair cost.

When a home needs repiping

Repiping replaces the water supply lines throughout the house. It is usually recommended when:

• The home has aging galvanized steel pipe that is corroding and restricting flow.
• Polybutylene pipe is present, a material with a history of failures.
• Leaks keep appearing in different places.
• Water is discolored or pressure has dropped throughout the house.
• Several slab leaks have occurred.

Pipe materials

• PEX is flexible, quick to install with fewer fittings, and resistant to scale and freezing damage. It is the most common choice for repiping.
• Copper is durable and long-lasting but costs more and takes longer to install.
• CPVC is used in some regions but is less common for repipes.

What affects the price

• Home size and number of bathrooms and fixtures.
• Pipe material.
• Access: homes on slabs are often repiped through the attic and walls; homes with crawl spaces are easier.
• Drywall repair after the plumbing is done.
• Permits and inspection.

What to expect

Most repipes are completed over a few days. Water is usually shut off only during working hours. Plumbers cut small openings in walls and ceilings to run the new lines, then patch them, either themselves or through a drywall contractor.

Questions to ask

1. Is drywall patching and painting included?
2. Will you route the new lines through the attic or walls?
3. What warranty comes with the pipe and the labor?

In Texas

Many Texas homes are built on slabs, so repipes are often done through the attic, abandoning the under-slab lines entirely. This is a common response to repeated slab leaks. In attics, pipes should be insulated against both summer heat and occasional hard freezes.

Signs your home needs repiping

• Repeated leaks. One leak can be bad luck. Several leaks in a short time usually mean the pipes are wearing out throughout the house.
• Discolored water. Rusty or brown water, especially from galvanized pipes, comes from corrosion inside the pipes.
• Low water pressure. Corrosion and mineral buildup narrow older pipes, reducing flow at every fixture.
• Known problem materials. Some piping materials have a history of failures, and insurers sometimes ask about them.
• Age. Galvanized steel installed decades ago is often near the end of its life.

PEX vs. copper

PEX is flexible plastic tubing. It is faster to install because it can be snaked through walls with fewer openings, it resists scale and corrosion, and it costs less in labor. It should not be exposed to sunlight for long periods.

Copper has a long track record and is durable. It costs more in materials and labor, and it can corrode in some water conditions.

Many repipes today use PEX because of the lower cost and faster installation, but some homeowners prefer copper. Ask the plumber about the water in your area and the warranty on each option.

Living in the house during a repipe

Most repipes are done while the family lives in the home. Plumbers usually keep the water off only during the workday and restore it each evening. The new pipes are run first, then connected to fixtures, and the old pipes are disconnected and left in place or removed where accessible. Furniture near walls may need to be moved, and there will be dust from the wall openings. Ask how the plumber protects floors and belongings, and whether patching and painting are included or handled by a separate drywall contractor.

More on permits and inspections

A whole-house repipe usually requires a permit and at least one inspection, often before the walls are closed. The plumber should pull the permit. Keep the final inspection record, as it can help when selling the house or dealing with insurance.

Warranty terms

Ask how long the pipe material and the labor are warranted. PEX and copper warranties differ by manufacturer and installer.

Sources

1. Angi: How Much Does It Cost to Repipe a House? (updated Aug 3, 2026)
2. HomeGuide: How Much Does It Cost to Install or Replace Plumbing? (Aug 29, 2025)