If you are looking into replacing your home's plumbing pipes, you will typically spend between $2,250 and $15,000 for PEX piping OR between $2,500 and $15,000 for copper piping, including labor and materials.

To narrow that down, re-piping a small 1-bathroom home with PEX costs about $2,000-$3,000. For a 2.5 bath, 3 bedroom home, the cost will be $3,000-$7,000 or higher. Using copper pipes for the install will add approximately 20-25 percent to these figures.

The cost for a whole home repiping varies according to:

1. size of your home and number of stories
2. number of plumbing fixtures (sinks, toilets, tubs, showers, etc.) and water-consuming appliances
3. accessibility of plumbing system
4. whether you use copper or PEX pipes

Reasons to Re-Pipe a House

Cost Breakdown

Cost to re-pipe a house will normally include:

• Materials and Supplies -- The main material for a repiping project is plumbing pipe, either copper or PEX. Copper pipes are bacteria-resistant, not UV sensitive, and recyclable; however, they are more expensive, can corrode, may give water a metallic taste, and may burst in freezing temperatures. PEX pipe material is flexible, resists bursting and corrosion, retains heat better than copper, and is easy to shut off; its disadvantages are it cannot be used outdoors because of a UV sensitivity, it cannot be recycled, and it allows for the possibility of water contamination. Other materials include: plumbing feed lines, main valves, shutoff valves, and flexible supply lines.
• Labor -- Your plumber will need to install the piping material, divert the water to the new pipes, and shut off the old pipes. Usually the old piping can be capped and left where it is; if you'd like your plumber to remove it, this may add to the expense. Repairs to drywall and finishing work may or may not be included in the re-piping contract.
• Estimate -- The initial house repiping estimate, which may include an onsite inspection, is often free.

Get the Most for Your Money

Don't take any chances with your home's plumbing pipes. If a licensed plumber or a repipe specialist advises you to have the house re-piped whether due to pinhole leaks, plumbing fixture or burst pipe issues, take this advice very seriously. Ask for a second opinion from another plumbing company, if you want to be doubly sure of the repiping project, but then go ahead and have the problem taken care of. WARNING: If you experience a major burst pipe issue, a flood report will be filed. This will discourage potential future homebuyers due to the danger of mold in your house.