Whole house repiping cost (2026)

A whole house repipe replaces the water supply lines throughout your home. It is usually done when the old pipes are galvanized steel near the end of their life, polybutylene, or copper with repeated pinhole leaks.

Figures are 2026 national estimates compiled from published cost guides such as Angi, HomeGuide and This Old House. Prices in high-cost metro areas often run above these ranges.

Typical costs by material

What drives the price

• Number of bathrooms and fixtures. Each fixture needs its own connections.
• Home size and layout. Long runs and multiple stories add labor.
• Access. An unfinished basement or open attic makes routing easier. Slab homes with no crawl space often cost more because pipes are rerouted through walls and ceilings.
• Local labor rates. Labor is the largest share of the bill.
• Permits and inspections, which most cities require for a repipe.

How long it takes

Most homes are repiped in about two to seven days. Many contractors restore water each evening, so families can often stay in the home during the work.

Signs you may need a repipe

• Repeated leaks in different places, especially pinhole leaks in copper
• Rusty or discolored water from old galvanized pipes
• Low pressure throughout the house
• Polybutylene pipe, which many insurers now flag or refuse to cover
• Recurring slab leaks, where rerouting new lines overhead can end the cycle

PEX or copper?

PEX costs less, installs faster and tolerates freezing better. Copper costs more and cannot be used in every situation, but it has a long service record and some homeowners prefer it. Either one, properly installed, is a solid choice.

How to compare quotes

• Get at least two or three written quotes for the same scope of work.
• Ask what is included: permits, inspections, cleanup, and any wall, floor or yard restoration.
• Ask about the warranty on both parts and labor.
• Be wary of a quote far below the others and ask what it leaves out.