Quick Answer: Plumbing costs range from $400 for a single fixture replacement to $15,000+ for a whole-house repipe. Fixture replacement averages $400–$800 per fixture. A repipe runs $8/linear foot for materials plus $12–$16/ft for labor. Drain repair costs $500–$3,000. Water heater installation runs $1,500–$3,500. Plumber labor rates average $32.81/hr nationally (SOC 47-2152). Enter your ZIP for location-specific pricing.
Calculate plumbing costs by project type. Select fixture replacement, whole-house repipe, drain repair, or water heater installation, enter quantities and ZIP code for a location-specific estimate with a full cost breakdown.
Plumbing Cost by Project Type
| Project Type | Per-Unit Cost | Common Size | Total Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fixture Replacement | $400–$800/fixture | 1–5 fixtures | $400–$4,000 |
| Whole-House Repipe | $25–$50/lin ft | 150–300 lin ft | $4,000–$15,000 |
| Drain Repair | $500–$2,000/drain | 1–3 drains | $500–$3,000 |
| Water Heater Install | $1,500–$3,500/unit | 1 unit | $1,500–$3,500 |
How Plumbing Cost Is Calculated
- Materials: Quantity × material cost per unit. Fixture replacement: $250/fixture for faucets, valves, supply lines. Repipe: $8/linear foot for PEX or copper. Drain repair: $150/drain for fittings and pipe sections. Water heater: $800 for a standard 50-gallon tank.
- Labor: Quantity × hours per unit × plumber hourly rate × 1.5 burden. Fixture replacement takes 2.5 hr per fixture. Repiping takes 0.25 hr/linear foot. Drain repair takes 4.0 hr per drain. Water heater takes 6.0 hr to install.
- Fixed costs: Permits ($0–$250), inspection ($0–$150), access and drywall repair ($0–$500), and cleanup ($50–$200). Fixed costs vary by project type and range from $50 for a simple fixture swap to $1,100 for a whole-house repipe.
- Contractor markup: 20% for overhead, profit, licensing, and insurance.
Plumbing Project Guide
- Fixture Replacement: Includes faucets, toilets, garbage disposals, and shut-off valves. Most fixtures take 1–3 hours per unit. Costs are predictable and straightforward. Combining multiple fixture replacements in one visit saves on service call fees.
- Whole-House Repipe: Replacing all supply lines from the main line to each fixture. PEX is the most popular choice ($8/ft material) due to flexibility and freeze resistance. Copper costs more ($12–$18/ft) but lasts longer. Includes cutting into walls, running new pipe, and patching drywall. Takes 2–5 days.
- Drain Repair: Fixing clogged, broken, or bellied drain lines. Simple clogs cost $150–$300. Pipe replacement or relining costs $500–$2,000 per section. Camera inspection ($150–$400) is recommended before major drain work to accurately diagnose the problem.
- Water Heater Installation: Replacing an existing tank water heater is straightforward. Switching from tank to tankless requires additional gas line work, venting changes, and electrical — adding $500–$1,500 to the project. Standard tank life is 10–15 years; tankless units last 20+ years.
Formula Summary
Plumbing Cost Formula: Total installed cost includes materials (per unit), burdened labor, and fixed costs for permits, inspection, access/drywall repair, and cleanup, multiplied by contractor markup.
Total = (Q × M + Q × H × R × 1.5 + F) × 1.20
where Q = quantity (fixtures, linear feet, drains, or units), M = material cost/unit, H = labor hours/unit, R = plumber hourly rate, 1.5 = labor burden, F = fixed costs, 1.20 = markup.
| Project Type | Material $/unit | Labor hr/unit | Fixed Costs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fixture Replacement | $250 | 2.5 | $50 |
| Whole-House Repipe | $8/LF | 0.25/LF | $1,100 |
| Drain Repair | $150 | 4.0 | $475 |
| Water Heater Install | $800 | 6.0 | $325 |
Constants: Labor burden 1.5×. Contractor markup 20%. Fixed costs include permits, inspection, access/drywall repair, and cleanup. Trade: plumbers (SOC 47-2152), national mean $32.81/hr. Rates from BLS OEWS May 2024, 393 metros.
Plumbers Hourly Rates by Metro (BLS OEWS May 2024)
| Metro | 25th %ile | Mean | 75th %ile |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York | $31.16 | $43.78 | $51.44 |
| Los Angeles | $27.45 | $37.49 | $47.26 |
| Chicago | $31.39 | $44.43 | $56.90 |
| Dallas | $23.28 | $30.24 | $36.50 |
| Houston | $22.68 | $29.30 | $35.09 |
| Washington | $25.39 | $34.13 | $39.16 |
| Philadelphia | $29.43 | $38.73 | $47.90 |
| Miami | $23.15 | $27.27 | $30.43 |
| Atlanta | $22.55 | $29.64 | $37.50 |
| Phoenix | $23.59 | $33.45 | $46.90 |
Related Calculators
- Bathroom Remodel Cost Calculator — full bathroom renovation including plumbing upgrades
- Kitchen Remodel Cost Calculator — kitchen renovation with sink and dishwasher plumbing
- Foundation Repair Cost Calculator — address foundation issues that can damage plumbing
Estimates are for planning purposes only. Consult a qualified contractor for critical projects. Actual material requirements may vary based on site conditions, waste, and installation methods.
Pricing last verified: February 2026. Material prices vary by region, season, and supplier. Prices shown are national averages for planning purposes.