Understanding the Costs of Repiping Your Home or Business

When plumbing pipes begin to fail, homeowners and business owners face an important decision: repair small leaks as they appear, or invest in a full repipe. While repiping may sound like a major project, it’s often the most cost-effective long-term solution — especially in older Bay Area properties where galvanized or corroded copper lines are common.

At Repipe Champions Plumbing and Rooter Inc., we specialize in whole-house and commercial repiping across San Mateo County and Santa Clara County, helping property owners restore water flow, prevent leaks, and protect their investment. In this post, we’ll break down what goes into repiping costs, the factors that affect price, and how to budget wisely for your project.

What Is Repiping?

Repiping means replacing all or most of a building’s water lines with new piping material. In most homes, this includes the hot and cold water supply lines running to bathrooms, kitchens, laundry areas, and outdoor hose bibbs.

Over time, pipes made from galvanized steel or aging copper can corrode, restrict water pressure, and eventually leak behind walls or under slabs. A full repipe removes those weak points and replaces them with new, long-lasting materials like PEX (cross-linked polyethylene) or Type L copper.

For businesses — especially those in multi-unit or older commercial properties — repiping ensures consistent water pressure, code compliance, and fewer service disruptions that can affect daily operations.

Average Cost of Repiping a Home

While prices vary based on size, layout, and materials, most repiping projects in the Bay Area fall between $4,000 and $18,000, depending on the property type.

Typical cost breakdown:

Property Type	Approximate Cost Range	Typical Duration
Small Condo / 1-Bath Home	$4,000 – $7,000	1–2 days
2–3 Bath Single-Family Home	$7,500 – $12,000	2–4 days
Large Home / Multi-Story	$12,000 – $18,000+	4–7 days
Commercial / Multi-Unit	Custom Quote	Varies by structure

These are ballpark figures — at Repipe Champions, every project begins with a free on-site assessment to create an accurate, transparent estimate tailored to your property.

What Affects the Cost of Repiping?

Several key factors determine how much a repiping project will cost. Understanding these helps homeowners and business owners make informed decisions.

1. Pipe Material

• PEX Piping:

  The most popular modern material, PEX is flexible, durable, and resistant to corrosion and scale buildup. It’s typically 20–30% less expensive than copper because it installs faster and requires fewer fittings.

• Copper Piping:

  Known for longevity and heat resistance, copper remains a great option, especially for exterior or exposed runs. However, it’s more expensive due to material cost and longer installation time.

Many homes today use a combination of both materials for cost and performance balance.

2. Size and Layout of the Building

The more bathrooms, fixtures, and square footage your property has, the more pipe and labor are required. Multi-story homes or commercial spaces add complexity because plumbers must run lines through multiple levels, attics, or tight crawl spaces.

3. Accessibility

Easy-to-reach plumbing (such as in open basements or crawl spaces) lowers labor time and cost. Older homes with finished walls, ceilings, or concrete slabs often require more cutting and patching, which increases project expense.

4. Permits and Code Compliance

Every city in Santa Clara County and San Mateo County requires permits for repiping projects. Licensed contractors like Repipe Champions Plumbing and Rooter Inc. handle all necessary permits and coordinate inspections to ensure the work passes local code. Permit fees can range from $150 to $600 depending on city and scope.

5. Wall Patching and Restoration

After the new pipes are installed, drywall or plaster openings are patched, textured, and prepped for painting. Most reputable contractors include basic patching in the repipe quote, while full texture or repainting may be optional.

6. Commercial Considerations

Commercial repipes are often priced differently because of building complexity, fixture count, and water demand. Businesses such as restaurants, apartment complexes, and offices may also require temporary shut-offs and after-hours scheduling.

At Repipe Champions, we specialize in minimizing downtime for businesses by staging work efficiently and ensuring rapid re-pressurization.

Signs You May Need a Repipe

If you’re unsure whether your property needs a repipe, watch for these common warning signs:

• Rust-colored or discolored water

• Low or inconsistent water pressure

• Frequent leaks or slab leaks

• Fluctuating water temperature

• Corroded visible pipes

• Noisy plumbing or banging when fixtures run

Ignoring these symptoms often leads to hidden leaks, water damage, and higher long-term costs. A repipe is an investment that restores reliability and water quality for decades.

Why Bay Area Homes Often Need Repiping

Many homes and buildings in Santa Clara and San Mateo Counties were built before the 1980s using galvanized steel or thin-walled copper. These materials have a typical lifespan of 40–60 years — which means a large portion of local properties are reaching that age threshold now.

Water in the Bay Area can also contain minerals that accelerate corrosion, especially in older piping systems. Upgrading to PEX or Type L copper ensures cleaner, better-tasting water and eliminates the risk of leaks behind finished walls.

What’s Included in a Professional Repipe

A complete repiping project from Repipe Champions Plumbing and Rooter Inc. typically includes:

1. Permitting and inspection coordination

2. Floor and furniture protection

3. Installation of new copper or PEX piping

4. New shut-off valves and supply lines

5. Wall and ceiling patching

6. System testing and clean-up

Each step is handled by trained, licensed plumbers to ensure code compliance and long-term performance.

How to Budget for a Repipe

A repipe is a long-term upgrade — similar to replacing a roof or electrical panel. Here are a few ways to budget intelligently:

• Request a detailed estimate:

  Avoid vague “per fixture” quotes. Ensure your contractor provides a complete scope of work, materials, and patching details.

• Ask about financing:

  At Repipe Champions, we offer 0% APR financing so you can spread payments over time without interest.

• Plan for future upgrades:

  If you’re remodeling kitchens or bathrooms, repiping first can prevent the need for costly rework later.

• Compare warranty coverage:

  We back our repipes with a 30-year workmanship warranty, ensuring long-term peace of mind.

Repipe Cost vs. Constant Repairs

Many homeowners hesitate at the upfront cost of a full repipe — but frequent leak repairs quickly add up. A single slab leak repair in the Bay Area can cost $1,000–$3,000, and multiple leaks often signal widespread pipe deterioration.

A repipe eliminates the ongoing risk, improves resale value, and typically pays for itself within a few years of avoided repairs, lower water bills, and reduced damage risk.

Choosing the Right Plumbing Contractor

Selecting a qualified contractor is critical to ensure your repipe is done safely and efficiently. Look for these credentials:

• Licensed and bonded in California (CSLB #1057926)

• Proven experience in whole-house and commercial repiping

• Transparent pricing and written warranty

• Positive local reviews and verified permits

• Ability to handle permits, inspections, and patching in-house

At Repipe Champions Plumbing and Rooter Inc., our experienced team handles every detail — from permits to patching — ensuring a seamless process from start to finish.

Final Thoughts

Repiping your home or business is a major step toward securing your plumbing system for the next several decades. Whether you’re dealing with low water pressure, constant leaks, or aging pipes, a full repipe provides lasting peace of mind and improved property value.

For residents and businesses throughout San Mateo County and Santa Clara County, Repipe Champions Plumbing and Rooter Inc. is the trusted local expert for copper, PEX, and trenchless solutions. We provide free assessments, 0% APR financing, and a 30-year warranty on workmanship — delivering professional results built to last.

Schedule your free assessment today.

📞 (408) 295-4309

Repipe Champions Plumbing and Rooter Inc. — Licensed • Bonded • Insured

Proudly serving San Mateo County and Santa Clara County