What to Expect During a House Repipe: Day-by-Day Timeline
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Full bio →Before scheduling, use the house repiping cost calculator to estimate your project cost by square footage and material. Once you have a budget and quotes, here is exactly what to expect from start to finish.
Project Timeline by Home Size
| Home size | Foundation | Material | Typical duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under 1,000 sq ft | Basement/crawl space | PEX | 2–3 days |
| 1,000–2,000 sq ft | Basement/crawl space | PEX | 3–4 days |
| 1,000–2,000 sq ft | Slab | PEX | 5–7 days |
| 2,000–3,000 sq ft | Basement/crawl space | PEX | 4–5 days |
| Any size | Any | Copper | Add 1–3 days |
| Any size | Slab | Any | Add 2–3 days |
These timelines cover pipe work only. Drywall patching and repainting (often a separate contractor) add 2–5 additional days after the plumber finishes.
Week Before Work Starts
Permit pulled (1–5 business days): Your plumber applies for a plumbing permit at the local building department. Most municipalities issue residential plumbing permits within 1–5 business days. Cost: $200–$600 depending on jurisdiction. Some plumbers include the permit; others add it separately — confirm before signing.
Pre-work walkthrough: The plumber’s crew walks through the home marking pipe locations, access points, and walls that need to be opened. Ask about:
- How many access holes will be cut
- Which walls or ceilings will be opened
- Whether drywall repair is included in the quote
Your prep:
- Clear under sinks and in closets where pipes may be accessed
- Move furniture away from exterior walls where horizontal pipe runs go
- Arrange for pets and young children to stay elsewhere during active work days (noise, open walls)
Day 1: Water Shutoff and Old Pipe Assessment
Morning: Crew arrives, confirms scope with you. Main water shutoff to the home is closed. If you have a water softener, it is bypassed. Water heater is turned off or set to vacation mode.
Assessment phase (1–3 hours): Before cutting, the crew identifies the full pipe layout. In older homes, the actual pipe routing often differs from what was expected. Additional access points may be added.
Water service: In most repiping projects, water is shut off during work hours (typically 8am–5pm) and restored each evening. You will have water overnight. Your plumber should confirm this schedule upfront.
Days 1–3: Pipe Installation (Standard Home, PEX)
Sequence:
- Main supply line entry point connected first
- Cold supply lines run to all fixtures (toilets, sinks, showers, tubs, appliances)
- Hot supply lines run from water heater to all hot-water fixtures
- Connections made at each fixture location (valves, stub-outs)
- New shutoff valves installed at key locations
PEX installation specifics: PEX tubing is flexible and can snake through walls with fewer access holes than rigid copper. Typical access points are at the top or bottom of walls rather than cutting long horizontal sections.
Copper installation specifics: Each connection requires soldering. Joints are heat-sensitive — crew works systematically from far end of each run back toward the main. Installation is slower, with more access cuts.
Final Day: Pressure Test and Inspection
Before closing any walls, the crew performs a pressure test — the system is pressurized (typically 80–100 psi) for 30–60 minutes and monitored for pressure drop. Any leak is found and repaired before walls close.
Plumbing inspection: A building inspector visits to verify the installation meets local code. They check:
- Pipe material and diameter
- Proper securing intervals (hangers every 32–48”)
- Correct shutoff valve placement
- Hot/cold labeling
Inspection is scheduled by your plumber. Most inspectors visit within 1–3 business days of request. The inspection must pass before walls are patched.
After Plumbing is Done: Drywall Phase
This phase is separate from plumbing and may be a different contractor:
| Task | Typical cost | Timeframe |
|---|---|---|
| Drywall patching (small holes) | $200–$600 | 1 day |
| Drywall patching (large sections) | $500–$1,500 | 1–2 days |
| Texture matching | $100–$300 | Half day |
| Repainting affected walls | $300–$800/room | 1–2 days |
Ask in advance: Is drywall patching included in your repipe quote? Most quotes do not include it. Get a separate drywall estimate before committing to any plumber.
Total Timeline: Summary
| Phase | Duration |
|---|---|
| Permit processing | 1–5 business days (before work) |
| Active pipe work | 2–5 days |
| Pressure test + inspection | 1 day (usually same day as final pipe work, inspection within 1–3 days) |
| Drywall patch and paint | 2–5 days |
| Total from permit to finished walls | 1–2 weeks |
For a full cost breakdown including what’s typically excluded from quotes, see how to get repiping quotes and signs your house needs repiping.