How much does it cost to replumb a house?

Replumbing your house is a big project, and therefore an expensive one. Whether your entire house needs new pipework or just your central heating system, you'll need to budget carefully. It costs around £1,500 for new gas central heating pipework in an average two-bed house, but £15,000 to replumb it entirely. Read on to find out what factors make up these costs.

How much does it cost to repipe a house in the UK?

The cost to repipe a house in the UK will depend on how big your house is, whether all your plumbing needs replacing and where you are in the country:

The amount your plumber charges for labour will vary depending on where you live. HaMuch has a large database of daily and hourly rates for plumbers across the country, so take a look at the tables further down the page to get a better idea of how much labour will cost.

What factors affect the cost of repiping a house?

Your choice of pipes

There are two main choices of material for your pipework: copper and plastic. Copper pipes are durable and can last up to 80 years, and can be cut and soldered to fit into small places. 15mm copper pipes cost around £4 per metre, while 28mm cost around £10 per metre.

Plastic pipes last up to 40 years and are flexible and easy to fit, reducing labour costs. Plastic pipes are cheaper than copper – around £1 per metre.

Accessibility

If you want pipework installed in hard-to-reach places, or your current pipework is difficult to access, this will increase the cost. Plumbers will need to use their skill and experience to figure out the best way to install pipework in small spaces, and it will take longer, so expect that to be reflected in the final quote.

Whether you want new radiators

While you’re replumbing your house or installing new central heating pipework, you might consider replacing your radiators. If you’ve got single-panel radiators, it’s definitely worth thinking about upgrading them to new, more efficient ones. It could cost up to £130 per radiator for supply and installation.

Hiding exposed pipework

If you want to hide some of your new plumbing, you can box it in using plywood or plasterboard. Whilst your plumber won’t do this themselves, it’s worth factoring in this extra cost. 2.5 metres of plywood for covering pipes will cost £10-£15, and you may be able to do this yourself. Otherwise, a carpenter or handyperson might be able to do this for you.

What is the best material to replumb a house with?

Most people will choose between copper and plastic to replumb their house. There are advantages and disadvantages to both, so you'll need to consider these before deciding which material is best to replumb your house with:

Copper

You probably have copper pipework in your home now, as it has been used for many years due to its strong, durable nature.

Advantages:

•   Won't corrode easily
•   Lasts 70-80 years
•   Easily soldered to different lengths
•   Strong
•   Can't be chewed by pets or pests

Disadvantages:

•   More expensive than plastic
•   Harder to cut and mould
•   Will need to be protected with cladding if buried underground
•   Can burst in freezing conditions

Plastic

Advantages:

•   Cheaper and easier to install
•   Copes well under high water pressure
•   Less chance of bursting in freezing weather
•   Retains heat better than copper

Disadvantages:

•   Can’t be used outside
•   Only lasts 25-40 years
•   Can become brittle overtime, causing leaks

How long does it take to replumb a house?

How long it takes to replumb a house will depend on the size of your house and how easy the installation will be, but expect it to take at least a week. A four-bed semi-detached home could take up to two weeks, while a five-bed detached property could take three weeks to be repiped.

You can help reduce the time it takes for your house to be replumbed by preparing the area for your plumber. Remove any furniture or obstructions and if you’re getting new toilets, sinks or baths it can be helpful to get rid of these in advance to reduce the cost as well as save time.

Is it worth it to repipe a house?

It’s certainly worth it to repipe your house if you're noticing problems. Some warning signs that you need to repipe your house include:

•   Brown, red or yellow water – this is a sign of rust and that your pipes are corroding
•   Low water pressure – if you notice your water pressure is reduced, your pipes could have limescale or rust build-up
•   Your supply pipes are lead – lead pipes have a pale, grey appearance, or turn shiny when scratched. Lead can get into your water through the pipes, which can cause health problems
•   You’ve noticed multiple leaks – if you’ve started to get regular leaks on your pipes, it’s probably time to replace them before you get a big leak that causes lots of damage

Replumbing your house or installing new central heating pipework comes with significant cost, so you’ll need to weigh up the benefits to decide whether it’s worth it for you.

Consider that if you’re planning on moving soon, buyers may be put off by old or unreliable plumbing, so they may offer less for your home.

It’s best to get a range of quotes from reliable plumbers that can advise you on the best pipework for your replumbing project to help you get the best price. Post your job on HaMuch now to get in touch with trusted plumbers in your area.

Estimates for common plumber jobs;

Rates for other trades