PLUMBING
How to Estimate a Whole-House Repipe
Contractor method for estimating a whole-house repipe: pipe length, material, access and wall repair.
A repipe is a linear-foot job hiding a demolition job. The pipe is cheap; the access, the wall repair and the drywall are where bids balloon.
THE SHORT ANSWER
How do you estimate a whole-house repipe?
Count fixtures and total pipe run (250-400 ft typical), choose PEX or copper, price access difficulty and wall repair, then add permits. A PEX repipe runs $4,500-$9,000 total.
Count the fixtures and the runs
List every fixture (sinks, showers, toilets) and estimate the total pipe run in feet. A typical 3-bedroom home runs 250-400 ft. Two-story homes add 20-40% labor.
Choose PEX or copper
PEX is faster and cheaper ($4,500-$7,000 total); copper lasts longer but costs 50-75% more. Confirm the choice in the proposal — it changes the price dramatically.
Price access and wall repair
Attics, crawl spaces and open walls are easy access; finished walls and slab floors are difficult. Wall repair and repainting are real line items, often $1,000-$3,000.
Add permits and check the total
Plumbing permits run $200-$500. Use the Whole-House Repipe Cost Calculator and stay within 10% before markup.