National cost guides put a whole-house repipe at roughly $4,500 to $15,000, with PEX usually around $4,000 to $9,000 and copper often $8,000 to $15,000 or more. Home size, number of bathrooms, pipe material and wall access drive the price, plus drywall repair afterward. Repiping makes sense when you have repeated leaks, galvanized or polybutylene pipe, or copper with multiple pinholes.
Repiping means replacing the water supply lines throughout the house. It’s a big job, but for a home with old, failing pipe it’s often cheaper in the long run than paying for leak after leak and the water damage that comes with them. Here’s what it costs, PEX versus copper, and the signs it’s time.
Typical costs
| Typical range (national) | |
|---|---|
| Whole-house repipe, overall | about $4,500–$15,000 |
| PEX repipe | about $4,000–$9,000 |
| Copper repipe | about $8,000–$15,000+ |
| Drywall and paint repair afterward | often $1,500–$3,000 extra |
Ranges are from national cost guides such as Angi. Prices in Johnson County vary; get written quotes.
What drives the price
- Home size and layout: more pipe and more fixtures cost more.
- Number of bathrooms and fixtures.
- Pipe material: PEX costs less in material and labor than copper.
- Access: an unfinished basement or crawl space makes it easier; a slab home with finished ceilings means more wall openings.
- Stories: two-story homes need vertical runs through walls.
- Drywall repair: some plumbers include patching; many don’t.
- Permits and inspection.
PEX vs copper
| PEX | Copper | |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | Lower | Higher |
| Install | Flexible, fewer fittings, fewer wall openings | Rigid, more fittings and soldered joints |
| Freeze resistance | Better; can expand somewhat | Can split when frozen |
| Pinholes | Not subject to copper pitting | Can pinhole in some water conditions |
| Sunlight | Must be protected from UV | Not affected |
| Track record | Decades of use | Over a century of use |
Most repipes today use PEX because of cost and speed. Both are code-approved in most areas.
Signs it’s time to repipe
- Several leaks in a few years, especially pinhole leaks in copper
- Galvanized steel pipe, which corrodes inside and restricts flow. See galvanized pipe replacement.
- Polybutylene pipe, gray plastic pipe from the late 1970s to mid-1990s. See polybutylene pipe replacement.
- Rusty or discolored water, low pressure throughout the house
- Repeated slab leaks. Rerouting overhead often replaces the worst of it. See slab leak repair cost.
Repipe or reroute?
A reroute replaces one line, typically a leaking line under the slab, with a new line run through walls or the attic. A repipe replaces the whole supply system. If only one line is failing and the rest of the pipe is sound, rerouting may be enough. A plumber can inspect the exposed pipe to judge.
How leak detection fits in
Before committing to a repipe, it helps to know:
- Where the current leak is, so the damage can be dried and the repair or reroute planned
- Which line is failing (hot, cold or service line)
- How widespread the moisture is in walls and floors
Slab leak detection and hidden leak detection answer those questions without opening walls to search.
Get quotes
Ask each plumber for a written quote that lists the pipe material, number of fixtures, whether drywall repair is included, permit costs, timeline and warranty.
We find leaks and document pipe condition across Bargersville and Johnson County, including older homes in Franklin and slab homes in Greenwood and Center Grove.
Still can’t find it?
Our slab leak detection pinpoints the leak without tearing things up, so the repair starts in the right spot.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to repipe a house?
National cost guides commonly put it at about $4,500 to $15,000. PEX is usually the lower-cost option, often $4,000 to $9,000, while copper often runs $8,000 to $15,000 or more. Wall and ceiling repair can add to that.
Is PEX or copper better for repiping?
PEX costs less, installs faster with fewer wall openings, and resists freeze damage better. Copper is durable and long-proven but costs more and can pinhole in some water conditions. Both are code-approved in most areas.
How long does a whole-house repipe take?
Many homes are repiped in a few days, with water shut off only part of each day. Drywall patching and painting can take longer.
When should I repipe instead of repairing leaks?
When you've had several leaks in a few years, when the house has galvanized steel or polybutylene pipe, or when a plumber finds thin, pitted pipe while making a repair.