If you have a basement in your home, you probably want a sump pump. A sump pump detects when there is water in your basement and pumps it away from your home's foundation, preventing your basement from flooding and reducing the risk of subsidence. The cost of basement sump pump installation is around £2000, but it's much less for a replacement.

Find out what makes up the cost of basement sump pump installation in our guide.

How much does it cost to install a sump pump in a basement?

The cost to install a sump pump in a basement will depend on the type of sump pump you choose, how much labour is involved and where you are in the country. If you're in the south east, labour costs will be much more than if you're in the north of the UK.

Use HaMuch's database of hourly and daily rates for labour costs, but these are the average costs you can expect to install a sump pump in a basement:

What is a basement sump pump?

A basement sump pump is a pump that pumps out water that collects in a sump basin. If your basement is below the water table, you should have a sump pump. The pump is installed below ground and contains a float switch that triggers the pump to start working when it detects that water has reached a certain level. Once the sump pump has pumped all the water out, the float switch will sink and the pump will turn off.

What is involved in a basement sump pump installation?

Here are the general steps involved in installing a basement sump pump:

Choosing the right pump

The first thing to consider with a basement sump pump installation is the type of pump you need. A specialist can help you choose.

There are lots of good basement sump pump brands on the market, including John Newton, Triton, Grundfos and Wykamol. You can choose between a sump pump system that runs with one primary pump, or one with a secondary pump. British Standards recommend installing one with a secondary sump pump in case the first one fails, along with a battery backup system in case you lose your mains power.

Digging the sump

The first step to installing your basement sump pump will be digging the sump. The specialist will choose a suitable location for the sump, usually close to a wall to allow the pump to pump out water into your drainage system easily.

Then, the engineer will use a jackhammer to dig a chamber into your concrete floor to install the pump into the ground.

Installing the pump

A liner will be placed in the sump, then the engineer will place the pump in the sump and connect it to a PVC pipe. Then, if you have a perimeter drainage channel, sometimes called a French drain, the pump will be connected to this to allow any water collected there to be diverted into the pump.

After that, the engineer will place an airtight sump pump lid on top to reduce odours and humidity.

How much does it cost to install a French drain and sump pump?

If you're getting a basement sump pump installed, you may also want to consider installing a French drain at the same time. A French drain draws in water that has pooled around your property, so can be used in conjunction with a sump pump to prevent your basement from flooding.

Usually, a French drain is made up of a trench that is filled with gravel and a perforated pipe. Water flows into the gravel, then into the pipe to move it away from your home's foundations. You can connect your sump pump to the French drain to allow the water to be pumped away before it begins to flood.

Advantages and disadvantages of installing a basement sump pump

Sump pump installation may be expensive, but the benefits usually outweigh the costs. Here are the advantages and disadvantages of installing a basement sump pump:

Advantages

• Protects your basement: A sump pump will protect your basement from water damage, which could cost thousands to fix.
• Prevents flooding: The pump is there to remove water from the basement before it damages your home, which is especially important if you live in a high water table area.
• Reduces damp and mould: Pumping out any water keeps your basement dry, which will prevent damp and mould growth.
• Reduces electrical fire risk: Without a sump pump removing water from your basement, if it floods, it could short your electrical appliances such as TVs or lighting.
• Lowers home insurance: Telling your insurer that you have a sump pump installed in your basement often lowers your home insurance as you’re reducing the risk of water damage.
• Increases your property value: Prospective buyers can be wary about buying homes with basements if they don’t already have a sump pump installed, so installing one prevents them from offering a lower amount for your property. 

Disadvantages

• Installation cost: The upfront cost of installing a sump pump system can be high, especially if you need a new sump basin or additional drainage solutions like a French drain.
• Ongoing maintenance: Sump pumps require regular maintenance, including cleaning the intake screen, testing the float switch, and checking the discharge pipe to ensure it’s not clogged.
• Power dependency: Most sump pumps rely on mains electricity, meaning they won’t function in a power cut unless you install a backup battery or water-powered pump.
• Noise levels: Some models can be noisy when in operation, especially older or lower-quality units, which may be disruptive if your basement is a living space.

Can you add a sump pump to an existing basement?

Yes, you can add a sump pump to an existing basement, but the work is extensive. This is why it costs around £2,000. You will need to remove all of your belongings and your floor covering will need to be removed too, as the specialists will need to dig up the concrete floor below. You'll also need to factor in redecorating costs after the sump pump is installed.

If you're planning a basement conversion, definitely factor in the cost of a sump pump now – it costs much less and it will be less disruptive. When you need to replace the pump, the chamber will already be there, allowing an engineer to install a new one easily.

Does a sump pump add value to a home?

Yes, a sump pump adds value to your home. While a basement will add value in itself, many prospective buyers will be concerned if you don't have a solution for if there is bad weather and your basement begins to flood.

Without a sump pump installed in your basement, a potential buyer may ask for at least £2,000 off your asking price – potentially more to cover the cost of redecorating after they've installed a sump pump themselves.

Does a sump pump lower home insurance?

Yes, a sump pump can lower your home insurance. Taking the proper precautions to reduce the risk of flooding can reduce your premiums since it's less likely that your basement will flood.

Always check with your insurer whether they offer discounts for properties for basement sump pumps before you factor it into your costs.

If you need a replacement sump pump or you want to install one in your basement for the first time, make sure you get a range of quotes from qualified basement waterproofing specialists. Post your job on HaMuch now to get in touch with local companies that are available to help.

Estimates for common plumber jobs;

Rates for other trades