Repipe and leak repair cost

A drip, a stain on the ceiling, or old pipes? Here is what the fix tends to cost.

Quick answer

About $1,246^[1] to replace pipes.

That is Angi's U.S. average from 94,386 projects. Most jobs cost $372 to $2,120^[1]. A whole-house repipe costs far more.

Water in the wrong place can wreck a home. A small drip today can mean a soft floor or moldy wall later.

This guide shows what pipe work costs, from a one-spot fix to new pipes for the whole house.

Each number links to its source. We show our math, so you can check it.

Common leak repairs

Most leaks are small jobs. Here are common ones and what they cost^[1].

Source: Angi^[1]. A plumber visit to look for a leak is often about $150.

See the last two rows? Fixing the wall or ceiling can cost more than the pipe. That is one more reason to catch leaks early.

Pipe prices per foot

New pipe is priced by the foot. There are three common kinds^[1]:

Labor adds about $1/ft^[1] to $4/ft^[1] per foot. Plumbers charge $45.00/hr^[1] to $200.00/hr^[1]. A permit can cost $50 to $500^[1].

Repiping a whole house

To repipe means to swap all the water pipes in a home. Angi lists $1,500 to $15,000^[1], about $7,500^[1] on average^[1]. Pulling out the old pipe can add $1,000 to $5,000^[1].

What plumbers earn in every state

The Bureau of Labor Statistics tracks plumber pay in every state^[2]. The U.S. middle was $30.67/hr^[2] in May 2025. The table shows labor per foot, moved by each state's pay.

Example: a pipe run in Florida

Say you live in Florida. A plumber says one long run of old pipe should be swapped for PEX. It is a hundred feet long. Here is the math.

The wall patch and permit are a big part of this small job. On a whole house, the pipe and labor grow much faster.

Ways to pay less

• Fix leaks fast. A faucet that drips once a second can waste more than 3,000^[4] gallons a year^[4].
• Get three written quotes. Ask each to list pipe, labor, permit and wall repair on their own lines.
• Ask about PEX. It often costs less than copper and bends around corners.
• Find out who patches the walls. Some plumbers do not. A drywall pro may be a separate bill.
• Check your water bill. If a family of four uses over 12,000^[4] gallons a month, the EPA says there may be a big leak^[4].

Fix it or repipe?

One leak in a young system? Fix it. Leaks that keep coming back in old pipes? It may be time to repipe. Angi lists pipes over 50 years^[1] old as a sign to think about it^[1].

Copper water lines can last about 70 years^[3]. PEX lasts about 40 years^[3][3]. Homes built before 1986^[5] are more likely to have lead pipes, says the EPA^[5]. See our fix or repipe guide.

What makes the price go up or down

• How many feet of pipe. A bigger home with more baths needs more pipe.
• The pipe type. Copper costs $2/ft to $12/ft^[1] for the pipe alone. PEX costs $0.40/ft to $4/ft^[1].
• Getting to the pipes. Pipes in walls and ceilings mean cutting and patching. Ceiling repair adds $300 to $1,000^[1].
• Taking old pipe out. Removing old piping costs $1,000 to $5,000^[1].
• Plumber pay. Angi lists rates of $45.00/hr to $200.00/hr^[1].

Questions to ask a plumber

• Where is the leak, and what caused it?
• Is this one bad spot, or are the pipes wearing out?
• What pipe will you use, and why?
• Is wall or ceiling repair in the price?
• Does this job need a permit?

Permits

A small leak fix often needs no permit. A full repipe often does. Angi lists plumbing permits at $50 to $500^[1]. Your town sets the rules, so ask the building office or your plumber.

What you can do yourself

You can find leaks before you pay anyone. The EPA suggests simple checks^[4]:

• Read your water meter. Wait two hours with no water use. Read it again. If it moved, you may have a leak.
• Put a few drops of food coloring in the toilet tank. If color shows in the bowl without a flush, the toilet leaks.

Cutting and joining pipes is best left to a plumber. A bad joint can leak inside a wall for a long time.