By Mickey Wilson, owner of One Hour Plumbing Service. Licensed plumbing contractor, CSLB #992029.
The size of the house
A repipe is priced largely by the number of fixtures: every sink, toilet, tub, shower, hose bib, and appliance connection gets a new line. A one-bathroom house is a much smaller job than a three-bathroom house. A second story adds labor.
Raised foundation or slab
On a raised foundation, most of the new pipe runs through the crawl space, where it is easy to reach. On a slab, the new lines run through the attic and down inside the walls, which takes more openings and more time. Both are routine. They are just different amounts of work.
Copper or PEX
Copper costs more in material and takes longer to install. PEX is flexible, needs fewer fittings, and usually comes in lower. Both are good when installed right. Ask for a price on each if both suit the house.
What the walls are made of
Access openings in drywall are quick to cut and patch. Older Whittier homes often have lath and plaster or original tile, which take more care to open and more work to put back. This is one of the bigger differences between a newer tract house and a 1920s bungalow.
What is included
Quotes are only comparable if they cover the same things. Ask each plumber:
- Is the permit and inspection included?
- Does the price include patching the access openings, and to what finish?
- Are new shutoff valves and supply lines at each fixture included?
- Is the line from the meter to the house part of the job?
- Is the work warrantied?
Whole house or part of it
Not every house needs all of it. If only the hot side is failing, or only one bathroom is still on old pipe, a partial repipe can be the right call. Mickey looks first, on a raised foundation that inspection is free, and tells you which one the house needs.
Related service: Water Pipe Repair & Repiping
Service area: Plumber in Whittier