How to Get and Compare House Repiping Quotes
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Full bio →Before You Call Anyone: Know Your Numbers
Before contacting plumbers, gather this information so every contractor quotes the same job:
- Square footage of your home (finished living space)
- Number of bathrooms (full and half)
- Stories (one, two, or three)
- Foundation type (slab, crawl space, or basement)
- Current pipe material (galvanized steel, polybutylene, copper, CPVC)
- Year home was built (or approximate age of existing plumbing)
- Any known problem areas (slow drains, prior leaks, low pressure locations)
Use the House Repiping Cost Calculator to generate a baseline estimate before collecting bids — this tells you immediately if a quote is wildly high or suspiciously low.
Step 1 — Get At Least 3 Quotes
Three bids is the minimum for any project over $3,000. Get at least 3 from:
- Licensed, bonded, and insured master plumbers
- Companies with 10+ reviews on Google or Yelp
- Preferably local companies (not franchise national chains) who know your municipality’s inspection process
Avoid accepting the lowest bid without understanding why it’s lower — often it means excluded permit, no drywall repair, or shorter-lasting materials.
Step 2 — Ask Each Contractor the Same Questions
Use this script for each call or in-person visit:
Scope questions:
- “Does your quote include the building permit and inspection fee?”
- “Does your quote include drywall patching after pipe access?” (If yes, ask: “To smooth and paint-ready finish, or just patch the holes?”)
- “Do you include new shutoff valves at each fixture?”
- “Will you replace the main shutoff valve at the meter?”
- “Does your quote include pressure testing after completion?”
- “Is disposal of old pipe included?”
- “For slab homes: does your quote include concrete cutting and patching?”
Material questions: 8. “What brand and type of PEX pipe do you use?” (Uponor/Wirsbo PEX-A is considered premium) 9. “What fitting system do you use — crimp, clamp, or expansion?” 10. “What is your warranty on materials? On labor?”
Timeline questions: 11. “How long will the project take? Will water be off overnight?” 12. “Who specifically will be doing the work — licensed plumbers or apprentices?”
Step 3 — Get Written Quotes with Full Scope
Never accept a verbal quote. Written quotes should specify:
| Item | What to Look For |
|---|---|
| Pipe material | Type and brand (e.g., “Uponor PEX-A”) |
| Supply line scope | ”All hot and cold supply lines throughout” — not just some |
| Fixture shutoffs | ”New angle stop valves at all fixtures” |
| Permit | ”Includes permit application and final inspection” |
| Drywall | ”Drywall patch and smooth to paint-ready” or “Access hole patch only” |
| Exclusions | Explicitly listed (water heater, drain lines, etc.) |
| Warranty | Labor warranty (minimum 1 year; good contractors offer 2–5 years) |
| Payment terms | Progress payments only; never pay more than 30% upfront |
Step 4 — Understand What’s NOT Included
Most standard repiping quotes exclude these items — confirm each with each contractor:
| Typically Excluded | Typical Add-On Cost |
|---|---|
| Building permit fee | $200–$600 |
| Full drywall repair + painting | $500–$2,000 |
| Water heater replacement | $800–$1,500 |
| Drain line work | $1,000–$5,000+ (separate project) |
| Fixture upgrades (new faucets) | $150–$500 per fixture |
| Landscape repair (slab break-out) | $500–$2,000 |
| Softener bypass and reconnection | $200–$400 |
Ask each contractor to confirm what IS included, and explicitly list what is NOT included, so you’re comparing apples to apples.
Step 5 — Evaluate the Quotes
Red flags that disqualify a bid:
- No license or insurance information provided
- Quote given without visiting the home
- Payment required in full upfront
- No written scope of work
- Suspiciously low (often means no permit, unskilled labor, or low-quality materials)
- Pressure to decide immediately (“price only good today”)
Good signs:
- Contractor pulled permit records you can verify online
- Reference to specific pipe brands and fitting systems
- Detailed written scope
- Proof of liability insurance on request
- Multiple similar projects in your neighborhood
Step 6 — Negotiate Without Compromising Scope
Once you have 3 legitimate bids, you can negotiate. Do not negotiate by asking for a lower price with the same scope — instead, offer:
- Paying promptly in full at completion (reduces contractor cash flow risk)
- Combining with other work (water heater, fixture upgrades) for a package discount
- Scheduling during their slower season (often November–February) for 5–10% off
- Providing easy access (clearing out under sinks, moving stored items)
Do not negotiate away:
- The permit (unpermitted work causes problems at resale)
- Quality pipe material
- New shutoff valves
- Pressure test at completion
What to Expect During the Project
Day 1: Main shutoff valve replaced; pipe route mapping; initial access cuts
Days 2–3: New pipe runs throughout the home; water restored each evening
Final day: All connections made, pressure test performed, inspection scheduled
After inspection: Drywall patches completed (1–2 days after, often by a separate contractor)
Water will be off approximately 4–6 hours per working day during active pipe work, but restored overnight. Plan for 2–4 weeks until drywall is patched and rooms are fully restored.