Poly B plumbing replacement cost is typically $4,000-$12,000 for a standard U.S. home, with an average near $7,500. Home size, pipe access, replacement material, local labor rates, and drywall repairs have the biggest effect on the quote.
| Item | Low | Average | High | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Whole-home replacement | $3,000 | $7,500 | $15,000 | Varies with home size and access |
| Per finished square foot | $2 | $5 | $10 | Plumbing scope, not home sale value |
| PEX repipe | $3,000 | $6,500 | $12,000 | Common lower-cost replacement |
| Copper repipe | $5,000 | $10,000 | $18,000 | Higher material and labor expense |
Assumptions: Typical 1,500-2,000-square-foot home, standard fixture count, accessible routing, and ordinary U.S. labor rates. Drywall and finish repairs may be extra.
Typical Poly B repipe prices by home size
A small one-bathroom home or condo may cost $3,000-$6,000 to repipe when plumbing runs are accessible. A 1,500-2,000-square-foot home with two bathrooms commonly falls near $5,000-$10,000; larger homes, multiple stories, or extensive concealed piping can reach $10,000-$15,000 or more.
Most homeowners should budget about $5,000-$10,000 for a standard whole-home Poly B replacement. Estimates often assume replacement of accessible supply lines, connection to existing fixtures, and PEX piping. The per-square-foot range is a rough planning tool; fixture count and pipe routing matter more than floor area alone.
What pipe, labor, and wall repairs add to the quote
A contractor’s bid may combine pipe and fittings, skilled labor, access work, and restoration. Ask whether the price includes permits, fixture reconnection, pressure testing, and cleanup; different inclusions can make two quotes look far apart.
| Quote component | Typical range | What changes the charge |
|---|---|---|
| PEX pipe and fittings | $500-$1,800 | Home size, fittings, manifold layout |
| Plumbing labor | $2,500-$8,000 | Access, fixture count, crew hours |
| Wall or ceiling access and patching | $500-$4,000 | Number and finish of openings |
| Permit and inspection | $100-$800 | City rules and project scope |
| Disposal and cleanup | $100-$600 | Removed pipe volume and haul-away |
Labor planning example: 30-60 hours at $75-$150 per hour equals $2,250-$9,000 before materials and restoration.
Wall repairs are often the largest extra cost outside the plumbing work itself. A plumbing-only quote may leave cutouts open, while a turnkey quote may include drywall patching but exclude paint, tile, or cabinet work.
How bathroom count and pipe access change the price
Each added bathroom means more hot- and cold-water branches and fixture connections. A home with three bathrooms can cost $1,000-$3,000 more than a similar one-bathroom layout, depending on distance and whether lines are easy to reach.
Access is another major driver. Open basement ceilings or crawlspaces can keep labor near the lower end, while finished walls, tile, tight crawlspaces, or a second story may add $1,000-$5,000. Homes above 2,500 square feet or with long runs over 100 feet commonly require more pipe and labor than compact layouts.
Two bids for the same square footage can differ substantially when one has finished walls and the other has open access. Ask the estimator to identify the number of access openings and any excluded repairs.
PEX versus copper for replacing Poly B lines
PEX is usually the lower-priced choice, often costing $3,000-$12,000 for a whole-home replacement. It bends around corners and can reduce fitting and labor needs, though local code and installation conditions determine where it can be used.
Copper commonly costs $5,000-$18,000 or more for a full repipe because pipe and installation are generally more expensive. It may be selected for preference, local practice, or specific routing needs. Compare written bids that specify pipe type, fittings, warranty, and fixture reconnections rather than comparing material names alone.
Choosing PEX instead of copper may save roughly $1,500-$6,000 on a typical project. The actual difference depends on labor, access, and local material prices.
How long plumbers need to replace Poly B
A straightforward repipe often takes two to five working days for a crew of two or three, with water shut off during portions of the work. Complex homes may take a week or longer, especially when the crew must open and close multiple areas or coordinate inspections.
Plumber rates commonly run $75-$150 per hour per worker, but most replacement work is quoted as a project rather than billed by the hour. Confirm the expected start date, daily water availability, and whether fixture reconnection happens before the crew leaves.
Schedule and access affect labor more than the length of pipe alone. A basement or attic route can shorten installation, while tile and cabinetry can require slower, careful access work.
Regional labor rates and permit charges across the U.S.
Prices in high-cost metro areas and coastal markets can be 15%-30% above a national midpoint. Smaller cities and rural areas may run 10%-20% below it, although travel distance or limited contractor availability can erase that savings.
Permit fees vary by jurisdiction, commonly around $100-$800, and some areas require inspections or additional code upgrades. The contractor should identify permit responsibility in writing. If a quote excludes a permit, ask whether the local authority requires one for a full supply-line replacement.
Use local written estimates rather than applying a national average as a fixed price. Three bids with the same pipe type, fixture count, access plan, and restoration scope offer a more useful comparison.
Drywall, cabinets, and other Poly B replacement extras
Opening and patching drywall may add $500-$4,000, with repainting or matching textured finishes potentially increasing the total. Tile removal, cabinet alterations, or difficult shower-wall access can add several hundred to several thousand dollars depending on the area and finish.
Fixture replacement is not automatically part of a repipe. New shutoff valves, supply lines, or damaged fittings may add $10-$50 per connection for parts, plus labor. Moving fixtures or replacing a water heater is separate work unless itemized in the bid.
Ask for separate prices for plumbing, access cuts, patching, painting, and fixture upgrades. Itemization makes it easier to control scope and avoid paying for finish work that another contractor will redo.
Ways to lower the Poly B replacement estimate
Compare at least three licensed plumbing estimates using identical project details. Request a whole-home pipe route, material specification, number of fixture connections, permit plan, warranty, and clear exclusions. A low bid can become expensive if wall repair or disposal is omitted.
Keep fixtures in their current locations, choose a standard PEX layout when permitted, and clear access to crawlspaces, utility rooms, and cabinets before work begins. Bundle necessary shutoff-valve replacement with the repipe, but avoid adding unrelated fixture upgrades unless the existing fixtures are failing.
Controlling access and written scope is usually more effective than choosing the lowest initial quote. If damage is limited and a plumber proposes a partial repair, compare its cost and coverage with full replacement; replacing only one visible run may leave other Poly B lines in service.