PEX repiping typically costs $4,000-$15,000 for a whole house, with many standard two-bathroom homes near $8,000. Home size, pipe access, fixture count, local labor rates, and drywall repair are the main factors that move a quote.
| Item | Low | Average | High | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Whole-house PEX repipe | $4,000 | $8,000 | $15,000 | Typical home, standard access |
| Small home, 1 bathroom | $2,500 | $4,000 | $6,000 | Limited fixtures and pipe runs |
| Large home, 3+ bathrooms | $8,000 | $13,000 | $20,000+ | More fixtures or difficult access |
| PEX pipe and fittings | $0.50 | $1.25 | $2.50 | Per linear foot, materials only |
Typical PEX Repipe Prices by Home Size
A plumber may charge about $2-$6 per square foot for a straightforward whole-house repipe, though fixture count and routing matter more than floor area alone. A compact 1,000-square-foot home with one bathroom may fall around $2,500-$6,000; a 1,500- to 2,000-square-foot home with two bathrooms often lands near $5,000-$10,000. Larger homes or extensive repairs can exceed $15,000.
For a standard two-bathroom house, budgeting about $6,000-$10,000 is a practical starting point. This assumes ordinary PEX tubing, accessible walls or crawlspace, replacement of most supply lines, and no major structural or code work. Assumptions: typical U.S. labor rates, standard-grade PEX, normal access, and limited finish repair.
What PEX Pipe, Plumbing Labor, and Wall Repairs Add
A repipe quote combines tubing and fittings with labor, access work, permits, and restoration. The table shows common ranges for a typical house; itemized estimates may allocate costs differently, and some contractors include patching while others price it separately.
| Quote component | Low | Typical | High | Pricing basis |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PEX pipe and fittings | $300 | $800 | $1,800 | $0.50-$2.50 per linear ft |
| Plumbing labor | $2,000 | $4,500 | $9,000 | $75-$150 per hour |
| Wall or ceiling access | $200 | $700 | $2,000 | Cutting and access protection |
| Permits and inspection | $100 | $400 | $1,000 | Varies by municipality |
| Drywall patching and cleanup | $300 | $1,000 | $3,000 | Painting may cost extra |
Labor and access usually outweigh the cost of the PEX tubing itself. Ask whether the estimate includes shutoff valves, connection to the water heater, fixture reconnection, permit fees, debris removal, and finish repairs.
Bathroom Count and Pipe Runs Change the Quote
Every additional bathroom, kitchen, laundry area, or outdoor hose connection adds branches and fixture connections. A one-bathroom layout may need roughly 8-12 fixture connections, while a three-bathroom house can have 20 or more. More connections increase labor and materials even when the home’s square footage is modest.
Long runs also matter: a house with 100-150 linear feet of accessible supply piping is generally less expensive than one requiring 250 feet or more through multiple floors. A second story, slab foundation, finished basement, or tight crawlspace can add hundreds to several thousand dollars. Request a fixture count and estimated pipe length, not just a price per square foot.
How Wall Access and Crew Time Affect PEX Repipe Labor
A typical crew of two plumbers may complete accessible work in 1-3 days, with more complex homes taking 3-5 days or longer. Plumbing labor commonly runs $75-$150 per hour per plumber, but many companies quote a fixed project price. Cutting fewer wall openings, working from an unfinished basement, or routing lines through an attic can reduce labor and restoration expenses.
Finished plaster, tile, cabinets, and a concrete slab make access more demanding. Moving appliances or protecting occupied rooms may also add time. Confirm the expected crew size, workdays, water shutoff schedule, and who repairs each opening before accepting a quote.
Regional PEX Repipe Rates From Rural Homes to Cities
Prices in high-cost metro areas can be 15%-35% above a national midrange estimate because of higher wages, overhead, and permit requirements. Rural areas may come in 10%-20% lower, but remote travel, limited contractor availability, or long material delivery routes can erase that difference. Cold-climate locations may also require extra freeze protection where pipes pass through unheated areas.
Compare quotes from plumbers who serve the same local market and perform whole-house repipes regularly. Regional differences are not a simple labor discount: local code requirements, access, and finish-repair expectations can change what each quote includes.
Three Sample PEX Repipe Quotes With Scope Details
These examples illustrate how scope changes the total, rather than setting a fixed national price. Actual quotes depend on inspection, local rates, and whether finish restoration is included.
| Home and scope | Labor estimate | Materials and extras | Sample total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1,000 sq ft, 1 bath, accessible crawlspace | 18-24 hours | $700-$1,200 | $3,500-$5,500 |
| 1,800 sq ft, 2 baths, mixed wall access | 32-45 hours | $1,200-$2,500 | $6,500-$10,500 |
| 2,800 sq ft, 3 baths, two stories | 50-75 hours | $2,000-$4,000 | $12,000-$20,000+ |
A low quote may exclude drywall, paint, permit fees, or fixture reconnection. Compare written scopes line by line, including the number of fixtures, pipe route, valve replacement, cleanup, and warranty.
PEX Repipe or Spot Repair for a Few Leaks
One accessible leak may cost about $200-$700 to repair; opening a finished wall or replacing a short pipe branch can bring the bill to $500-$1,500. These repairs can make sense when the rest of the plumbing is in good condition. Repeated leaks, widespread corrosion in existing metal lines, or several failing branches may make a full repipe more economical over time.
PEX is flexible and can reduce the number of fittings, but it still needs proper supports, protection from sunlight, and installation that meets local code. Ask the plumber to price both the immediate repair and a full repipe if leaks are recurring.
Ways to Reduce a Whole-House PEX Repipe Bill
Keep the scope clear by listing every fixture that needs a new supply line and asking whether sound sections can remain. If the system has widespread failures, partial replacement may only postpone the larger expense; if damage is isolated, targeted repairs can avoid unnecessary work. Choose standard PEX and fittings unless a documented condition calls for a higher-cost product.
Get at least three itemized quotes, schedule work before an emergency leak forces rush service, and coordinate drywall repairs separately if that is less expensive. Clear access to the water heater, crawlspace, and cabinets before the crew arrives. Verify permits and finish work in writing so a low bid does not become a costly change order.