How Much Does It Cost to Replace or Repair a Sewer Line?

This article was updated using automation technology and thoroughly reviewed for accuracy by HomeAdvisor Editor Ryan Noonan.

With the average sewer line replacement cost between $50 and $250 per foot, most homeowners are paying $150 per foot for each replacement needed. If it's time to install a new sewer line, expect the cost to range from $1,388 and $5,323, averaging around $3,319.

Sewer Line Replacement Cost

When replacing an aged-out or damaged sewer line, cost varies based on line length and placement.

Main Sewer Pipe & Lateral Replacement From House to Street

Replacing your main sewer line costs an average of $2,600, but most homeowners spend between $1,388 and $5,323. If your sewer line runs a longer distance or requires trenching, the price can increase significantly. A large portion of the cost comes from digging trenches for the pipes.

Basement Sewer Line Replacement

If your basement line is trenchless, replacement costs will range from $60 to $250 per foot, including materials and labor. This option requires less manual labor, so if it’s a viable option, you’ll likely save on labor costs while keeping more of your floor intact.

However, trenchless replacements are sometimes unavailable if the pipe has completely collapsed. Addressing a standard sewer line trench costs between $400 and $1,200 per 100 linear feet.

Sewer Line Replacement Under a Slab

Homeowners can expect to pay another $150 to $200 per foot on top of the regular rate of $150 per foot when trenching under a slab. This additional cost will help cover the need to break up the concrete, which can take time.

Sewer Trap Replacement

Sewer trap replacement costs between $1,500 and $3,000 on average.

The sewer line house trap is a curved pipe that holds a small amount of water at all times. Acting as a moat-like barrier, the water in the trap guards the home from sewer gasses and roaming pests. When the piping of a house trap corrodes or clogs, sewage can back up into a home.

Sewer Line Repair Costs

Even though your sewer system is mostly underground, it can still suffer from various damages, both major and minor. No matter the issue, repairing your sewer line is an intensive job that requires professional expertise to prevent dangerous and messy sewage overflows.

Broken or Cracked Sewer Pipe Repair

If your sewer pipe is broken or cracked, repairing it typically costs between $600 and $1,050. However, it often makes more sense to replace the damaged pipe instead of repairing it. Replacing ensures sewage doesn't enter your home and can be more cost-effective when considering the time and effort required to access the pipe.

Tree Roots in Sewer Line Repair

If tree roots disrupt a sewer line, expect to pay between $100 and $500 for a video inspection to identify the issue. Removing tree roots from a sewer line costs between $100 and $600 for a standard intrusion. If a plumber determines that the damage is more serious than normal, they may recommend replacing part of the sewer line.

Collapsed Line Repair

If your sewer line has collapsed, replacing the damaged portion is the only safe option. Partial sewer line replacements range from $50 to $250 per foot. While most homeowners only need to repair small portions of a damaged sewer line, your pro may recommend a full line replacement for extensive damage.

Sewer Line Clogs

When you can unclog a line without replacing the pipe, the cost to unclog a sewer line ranges from $100 to $600. The three options for cleaning a sewer line are:

• Snaking: $100–$250, which removes blockages by sending a thin metal wire through the line to pull out debris

• Hydrojetting: $250–$1000, which involves streaming water down the line to loosen debris

• Chemical treatment: $80–$100, which relies on chemical agents to address smaller clogs, using stronger versions of store-bought products for smaller clogs.

Trenchless Sewer Repair or Replacement Costs

Trenchless options are possible if you don’t have a collapsed pipe. This method is less invasive and costs $60 to $250 per foot. Two trenchless systems are available:

• CIPP lining: Runs about $90 to $250 per foot. A plumber needs only one excavation point to access and pull an epoxy-saturated liner through the existing pipes.

• Pipe-bursting: Costs range from $60 to $200 per foot. The process involves using a pneumatic or hydraulic head to break up existing piping.

• Expect nearly any sewer line project to begin with a video inspection costing $100 to $500. Opting for a visual can save you thousands by ensuring the right diagnosis.

Sewer Line Replacement Cost Breakdown

Ease of access is the biggest cost factor here. For example, costs increase when trenching and demolition are needed to access hard-to-reach pipes and lines. In addition, you’ll see your quote rise for each linear foot between your home and the sewer to cover labor and materials. Restorative work like driveway repairs and sodding can also indirectly increase project costs.

Another big cost factor comes down to repair versus replacement. While removing clogs or replacing parts can resolve some sewer backups, others require partial or complete line replacements. Finally, repairing high-end options like copper piping can actually double the cost of plastic pipe repairs.

Additional Sewer Line Replacement Cost Factors

Homeowners should anticipate some extra costs tied to preparation and cleanup around a property whenever sewer line work is being done.

Trenching

In addition to parts and labor costs directly related to pipes and lines, plumbers may also charge for ground excavation to access the sewer line at a rate of $30 to $70 per cubic foot. Finally, the average cost to haul away old pipes is $250 per project.

While not every sewer line repair or replacement will require trenching, homeowners can expect trenching costs to reach $4 to $12 per linear foot. The rate can increase sharply if the main sewer line is deeper in the ground than normal. In addition, if contractors have to dig around utilities on the property, they’ll likely need to dig by hand and quote extra labor fees.

Cleanup

Most plumbers include basic cleanup in their labor costs, but some may charge an additional $100 to $350. If your sewer line replacement involves decommissioning a septic tank, expect to pay between $500 and $1,000 for that service. Be sure to discuss these potential extra costs with your plumber when getting a quote.

Landscape, Driveway, or Patio Repairs

If you need to repair your landscape or hardscape, anticipate spending somewhere between $1 to $25 per square foot, depending on the type of repair. Here are some common repair costs:

• Landscaping cost: $4.50 to $12 per square foot

• Yard leveling cost: $1 to $2 per square foot

• Concrete driveway repair cost: $1 to $25 per square foot

• Asphalt driveway repair cost: $1 to $15 per square foot

• Deck repair cost: $30 to $60 per square foot

Type of Pipe Needed

The three most common pipes used for sewer lines today are PVC, ABS, and copper. A plumber can recommend the best option based on cost, performance, house style, and terrain considerations. Here's a breakdown of costs per linear foot:

The cost to hire a plumber for your sewer line replacement is between $150 and $500 per hour, depending on where you live and the complexity of the replacement.

DIY Sewer Line Repair vs. Hiring a Plumber

Repairing or replacing a sewer line is a complex job best left to professional plumbers. Attempting a DIY repair can expose you to serious health risks from hazardous waste and may lead to significant property damage if done incorrectly. Hiring a professional plumber ensures the work is done safely, complies with local codes, and protects your home.

"Aside from the risk of damage to your home, there are severe health risks involved with plumbing," says Jeff Botelho, an Expert Review Board member and licensed plumber. "Sewer piping is a breeding ground for a lot of hazardous diseases, such as hepatitis, E. coli, and typhus. Take this into consideration before starting any plumbing work in your home."

How HomeAdvisor Gets Its Cost Data

No place is more important than your home, which is why HomeAdvisor connects homeowners with local pros to transform their houses into homes they love. To help homeowners prepare for their next project, HomeAdvisor provides readers with accurate cost data and follows strict editorial guidelines. We surveyed thousands of real customers about their project costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We pair this data with research from reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects.