Repipe Cost Guide for Southern California Homes

Most whole-house repipes start around $6,000. Final price depends on home size, fixture count, access, and material.

The cost to repipe a house varies with the size of the home, number of plumbing fixtures, and the piping materials used. On average, most repipe jobs start around $6,000. Factors That Affect Repipe Costs
  • Home size and bathrooms - Larger homes and more fixtures increase labor and material costs.
  • Type of piping material installed
    • Uponor PEX-a - Flexible, cost effective, and leak resistant.
    • Type L Copper - Premium, long lasting water line material.
    • ABS, PVC, CPVC - Common for drain, waste, and vent systems.
    • Cast iron piping - Durable for drain and sewer replacements, used often in multi story buildings.
    • Black iron gas piping - Heavy duty for natural gas distribution.
    • TracPipe® stainless steel - Flexible gas piping for efficiency and safety.
  • Accessibility - Slab foundations, tight attics, or complex layouts can add cost.
  • Finishing work - Drywall patching, texture, and painting can raise the total on larger projects.
Average Cost Start Around
  • Small to mid size homes - $6,000+
  • Larger homes with multiple bathrooms - $12,000+
Why It Matters Repiping protects your home from leaks, slab damage, water contamination, and emergency repairs. A repipe improves water pressure, efficiency, and safety for water and gas systems. How Plumbing Solution Specialist Can Help We provide free, no obligation estimates and use American made, code approved materials for water, drain, and gas repipes. Our certified technicians deliver clear pricing, efficient installation, and an industry leading lifetime workmanship warranty.

Table Of Contents

The cost of a repipe depends on several factors, whether you are replacing water supply lines, drain and sewer piping, or gas lines. Below are the pricing points homeowners should know.

1. House Size and Number of Stories

  • Larger homes need more material and labor, especially when running new lines through walls, ceilings, and foundations.
  • Multi story homes often cost more because vertical lines require more openings and access.
  • Older homes with galvanized steel, cast iron, clay sewer, or black iron gas piping may need full replacement to meet code. Remodels and additions can add complexity and cost.

2. Number of Plumbing Fixtures

More fixtures mean more repiping for supply and drainage. Fixtures include sinks, toilets, showers, tubs, dishwashers, washers, hose bibbs, and water heaters. Each adds connections for hot and cold water, drains, and sometimes gas.

3. Ease of Pipe Accessibility

  • Easily accessible pipes in crawl spaces, basements, or garages cost less to replace.
  • Difficult to reach areas like slab foundations, behind cabinetry, attics, or tight crawl spaces need extra demolition and labor, so price rises.

4. Diameter of the Pipe

Larger diameters like 2 to 4 inch cast iron sewer lines or 2 inch gas mains cost more than smaller supply lines due to material and labor.

5. Inspections and Permits

Every repipe needs city permits and inspections. Fees vary by city and county. An experienced repipe contractor helps work pass inspection the first time.

6. Type of Pipe Being Installed

Material choices affect price.
  • Water supply - Uponor PEX-a for flexible and affordable installs, Type L copper for durable premium installs.
  • Drain and sewer - ABS or PVC for standard use, cast iron for quiet and long lasting service, clay in older systems.
  • Gas lines - Black iron for traditional installs, TracPipe® stainless for flexible routing in tight spaces.

7. Other Factors

  • Drywall removal, patching, texturing, and painting.
  • Flooring or slab restoration for reroutes.
  • Cleanup, debris hauling, and disposal.
  • Extended warranties and lifetime workmanship guarantees.
Pipe Material Cost Per Foot
CPVC $2 to $50+
PEX $2 to $55+
Copper $10 to $80+
When you compare quotes, review the material that will be installed and any added fees or services included in the price.

How Expensive Is It To Repipe A House With Copper

Copper is often the most expensive piping material for repipes. Cost depends on home size, number of stories, access, and local pricing. Copper is rigid, so repiping with it often needs more wall openings and more labor time than flexible options like PEX. Higher labor plus higher material cost makes copper one of the pricier options.

Maintenance and Lifespan

  • Corrosion risks - Copper can corrode and leave blue green stains on fixtures.
  • Pinhole leaks - Corrosion can create small holes that lead to water damage.
  • Shorter lifespan - Copper can last decades less than PEX, so another repipe may be needed later.

Why Many Homeowners Choose PEX

PEX is cost effective and long lasting. It does not corrode, its flexibility cuts labor and wall damage, and its projected lifespan is over a century. See the differences between copper and PEX.

What Makes PEX the Cost Effective Choice for Repiping

Cross linked polyethylene, called PEX, is one of the most cost effective choices. Homeowners often save several thousand dollars versus copper because both material and labor are lower.

Why PEX Costs Less

  • Lower material cost - PEX is more affordable than copper or cast iron.
  • Reduced labor - PEX can be snaked through walls and ceilings with small access points, which cuts install time.
  • Minimal drywall damage - Small openings lower repair and finishing costs.

Long Term Value

PEX resists corrosion, handles freezing better than copper, and has a projected lifespan over 100 years. Learn more about PEX repiping.

Save Thousands by Contacting a PEX Repipe Specialist

Hiring a repipe specialist instead of a general plumber can save money over time. A general plumber may replace small sections and charge per visit, which does not solve the root cause. A repipe specialist reviews the full system and recommends a complete repipe when it is the best long term fix. Replacing the system at once can stop leaks, pressure drops, and water damage.
Questions about repipe costs