How Much Does It Cost To Install Main Water Line?
The national average for replacement ranges from $1,800 to $15,000, with most homeowners paying around $4,050 for replacing a 25-foot-long main line with galvanized steel using a trenchless installation. This project’s low cost is $1,465 to replace a 10-foot-long main line with PVC pipe using a trenchless installation. The high cost is $25,000 for a 100-foot long main line with copper pipe using a dug trench installation.
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Main Water Line Installation Cost per Foot
The main line for your water is considered a branch line from your town or city’s main line. It extends from the edge of the property to the water meter at your house. Because this distance changes by the property, costs are generally calculated by the linear foot. Several methods of installation or replacement and different materials and soil impact the cost per foot. Your main water installation ranges from $85 to $2,450 a foot, with most people paying between $120 and $230 a linear foot. The farther back from the road your home is located, the raise your project costs are.
| Main Line Length | Average Costs (Installed) |
|---|---|
| 10 Feet | $850 – $2,450 |
| 25 Feet | $1,975 – $6,625 |
| 50 Feet | $3,950 – $12,250 |
| 75 Feet | $6,625 – $18,875 |
| 100 Feet | $7,600 – $24,500 |
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New Water Main Cost by Material
The pipe carrying the water to your home can be made of different materials. While cost is one factor to consider, other issues include city regulations, climate, and soil type. Some places or cities have specific guidelines for the exact pipe and size you can use, while others allow you to make your choice based on water needs and soil type. The most common pipe materials include PVC, polyethylene, cast iron, fiberglass, brass, and copper.
| Material | Average Costs per Linear Foot (Material Only) |
|---|---|
| PVC | $0.70 – $6 |
| Polyethylene | $3 – $6 |
| Cast Iron | $3 – $12 |
| Fiberglass | $7 – $13 |
| Brass | $13 – $18 |
| Copper | $23 – $34 |
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PVC Water Main Pipe Cost
PVC piping costs between $0.70 and $6 a linear foot. PVC is the least expensive material and is made of a plastic called polyvinyl chloride. It is very good, tough, durable, and not impacted by soil or things like acids or sulfur in the ground. It is destroyed by heat, so it should not be used in hot climates. If you choose to use it in a cold climate, it needs to be buried below the freeze-thaw line. Otherwise, it may crack.
Polyethylene Water Main Cost
The cost of a polyethylene 1 water main line is $3 to $6 a linear foot. Polyethylene is a very popular material for waterline piping. This is the material that PEX piping is made from and can be used in all areas. This is a very flexible material that does not corrode and is less impacted by heat and cold than PVC. This can be harder to work with because it tends to roll up until forcibly straightened. For this reason, using it may increase installation costs slightly.
Fiberglass Water Pipe Cost
The cost of a fiberglass 2 pipe averages $7 to $13 a linear foot. Fiberglass is commonly used in commercial applications and some interior plumbing jobs. This can be used as a water main line but not commonly. Fiberglass is very tough and durable. This is not impacted by heat, cold, or high-pH soil. This comes in short lengths, making it difficult for long runs. If your home is located more than 10 to 15 feet from the main line, consider a different material.
Copper Main Water Line Cost
The cost of a copper main line pipe is $23 to $34 a linear foot. Copper is the gold standard for durability and was frequently used with cast iron and galvanized steel 3 pipes in older homes. Copper does not wear like the two other materials, so it tends to last longer. Copper is not destroyed by heat or extremely cold weather, but it corrodes in high-pH soil. If you want to use copper, extensive soil sampling may be required.
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Labor Cost to Replace a Main Water Line
The bulk of the costs for this project comes from the waterline installation. While the material you choose for your line impacts the final costs, labor makes up the majority. There are two methods for installing or replacing a main water line from the street to your home. The first is digging and backfilling. A trench is dug in your yard so that the pipes can be accessed, laid, or removed. The second method is trenchless. Only two holes are dug, one near the street and one near your meter. The pipe is threaded through the ground between them. Because trenchless installations are easier, they are also less costly and less likely to disturb your property. Unless issues prevent this installation, it is the method people use.
| Installation Type | Average Replacement Cost per Linear Foot (Labor Included) |
|---|---|
| Trenchless | $75 – $150 |
| Digging and Backfilling | $175 – $250 |
Cost to Run a Water Line by Location
The main water line runs from the city main line to your water meter. From there, your interior plumbing takes over and continues carrying the water to the different areas. Costs to run a water line to different locations in your home vary dramatically based on where those locations are, how far they are from the meter, pipe type, how accessible the areas are, and whether they extend to your hot water tank. Below are some of the average ranges for the most common water line projects in a house. However, costs can be outside these ranges based on the different factors mentioned above.
| Installation Type | Average Costs (Labor Included) |
|---|---|
| Fridge | $75 – $500 |
| Bathroom | $400 – $2,000 |
| Garage | $600 – $7,000 |
Cost to Run a Water Line to a Fridge
The cost to run a water line to your fridge is $75 to $500. Many new refrigerators today have a water and ice dispenser built in. To work, your refrigerator must be connected to your home’s plumbing supply. Because the kitchen is already plumbed for water, it is easy to tap a previous pipe and extend it to the fridge. Costs vary based on the rate your plumber charges per hour in your city and the distance the line must run.Â
Cost to Run a Water Line to a Garage
The average cost to run a water line to your garage averages $600 to $7,000. The range is due to the many variables. Your garage may be attached to your home or detached and located farther away from the main line. Your garage may be insulated or not. Non-insulated garages cost more to run water to than insulated garages. If your garage is detached, the line must also extend underground, incurring additional costs and considerations. For this reason, there is a wide range of costs associated with extending plumbing to your garage.
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Main Water Line Installation Cost
The cost of a new water line installation has similar cost ranges to a replacement. Costs typically average $85 to $245 a linear foot, with most people paying between $120 and $230 a linear foot. In some instances, replacement is cheaper because the existing pipes can be reused with a new liner, but this does not usually change costs much.
A new water line installation costs about the same as a replacement because of the labor and the fact that while a replacement involves removing the old pipe, new installation means installing the new shut-off valve and meter and creating new connections. This means that when all is said and done, your costs per foot remain fairly equal between the two.
Copper vs Plastic Refrigerator Water Line
Running a new line to the refrigerator is easy to work. There is already plumbing in the kitchen, so the plumber only has to tap in and split off a new line. Plastic is very less expensive than copper, so the bulk of your costs are in labor. Copper will cost more, but it can last much longer than plastic. Both do a good job in this area. Since the fridge water is not heated, there is no issue using plastic in this space.
| Material | Average Costs (Installed) |
|---|---|
| Plastic | $65 – $120 |
| Copper | $100 – $250 |
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