Sewer Line Replacement Cost
Estimate sewer line replacement costs comparing trench and trenchless methods, including excavation, pipe, and labor.
Results
Visualization
How It Works
Sewer line replacement costs depend heavily on method and depth. Trenchless methods (pipe bursting, CIPP lining) cost more per foot but avoid digging up the yard, driveway, or landscaping.
The Formula
Trench: Total = Pipe + (Length x Depth x $12/ft) + Labor + Restoration
Trenchless: Total = Pipe + Access Pits + (Length x $80/ft) + Minor Restoration
Trenchless: Total = Pipe + Access Pits + (Length x $80/ft) + Minor Restoration
Variables
- CIPP — Cured-In-Place Pipe — epoxy liner inserted into existing pipe
- Pipe Burst — New HDPE pipe pulled through old pipe, breaking it outward
Worked Example
50 ft sewer, 5 ft deep, trenchless PVC: Pipe $400, Access pits $1,500, Labor $4,000, Restoration $500, Permits $700 = $7,100.
Practical Tips
- Camera inspection ($250-500) before replacement helps choose the right method
- Trenchless may not work if pipe has collapsed or has major bellies
- Check if your homeowner's insurance covers sewer line replacement
- Some cities share costs if the break is in the public right-of-way