How Much Does Sewer Line Installation Cost in 2024?

Sewer Line Cost per Linear Foot

The average cost to install a sewer line ranges from $50 to $250 per linear foot. New pipes cost $3 to $80 per foot, with about $30 to $200 per foot for labor expenses. These pipes are typically buried in your yard, running from your house to the main sewer drain. The total price per linear foot may not include trenching.

Sewer Line Installation Cost Factors

Installing a main sewer line costs an average of about $4,000. However, several factors may come into play with the cost to install a sewer line.

Housing Type

Determining who will pay the sewer line installation costs depends on the home you have. Property owners can usually expect these arrangements:

• Single-family: Covered by homeowner

• Twin home: Negotiated by owners

• Duplex: Covered by property owner

• Townhome or Condo: Covered by homeowners association (HOA), possibly including an increase in fees

Check with your city to find out more information concerning your neighborhood or housing development.

Distance to Connector Line

Laying a new line costs $50 to $300 per foot. The distance between your home and the connector line affects this price. The further away it is, the more pipe it needs, which increases material and labor costs.

Materials

The type of piping you use for your sewer line impacts your total cost. There is a variety of common sewer piping materials that vary in price.

• PVC piping: $3–$8 per linear foot, durable and affordable

• Polyethylene: $3–$11 per linear foot, better heat and cold durability than PVC

• Cast iron: $2–$10 per linear foot, cheaper than copper, but subject to corrosion

• Copper: $30–$80 per linear foot, best quality, longest-lasting option

Permits

Permits to connect to the city sewer line range from $400 to $1,600, averaging about $1,000. The price depends on the regulations set by the area’s sewer authority. Depending on local regulations, you may also need to pay additional building permit costs for your project.

Landscaping

A new sewer line installation traditionally involves digging a trench to lay piping, which can leave your yard covered with dirt and needing repairs. If you’re handy in the garden, you can opt to do the landscaping yourself. Otherwise, landscaping installation costs are about $3,400 on average when done by a pro.

Repairs

Anything that might get in the way of digging will increase the total expense. Consider these jobs commonly related to sewer line installation:

• Price to repair driveway: $1,700

• Expense to resurface patio: $1,400

Before you commit to these property repairs, ask your plumber if there’s a way they can avoid it. If it’s unavoidable, you may need to hire a landscaping or hardscaping professional to complete these tasks.

Sewer Connection and Hookup Costs

Hookup to your city’s water and sewer line can cost $500 to $20,000, depending on local regulations. Typically, property owners must pay for improvements on their land.

Your city may subsidize some or all of your sewer hookup costs, with rates varying based on supply and infrastructure problems. In some areas, costs are lower to make new construction more affordable. Contact a local sewer pro to learn the rules and sewer connection costs in your area.

Average Cost to Hook Up to City Water and Sewer

Although the $500 to $20,000 cost to connect to the city usually includes water and sewer hookup, it often doesn’t include installation for either line. On average, the water main installation costs $1,600. In many cases, your plumber can do both projects for you.

Sewer Main Installation Costs by Location

Labor costs and regulations vary by region, which can impact the total cost of a new sewer line. Below are the average total costs for new sewer line installation in cities across the country.

Types of Sewer Line Cleaning

When calculating the cost of sewer line installation, you’ll also need to consider the cleaning methods available to prevent blockages and ensure proper function. Explore the top options below.

Trenching

The cost to dig a trench runs about $800 for 100 linear feet. This is the traditional method of sewer line installation: a plumber digs a trench to install the new piping system.

The total expense depends on the length and depth of the trenches needed. This price usually doesn’t include removing landscaping or hardscaping before digging. Cleanup costs for dirt and gravel are also a factor.

Another option for replacing an existing sewer line is trenchless installation. These modern technologies are more expensive than digging a trench, but they come with fewer cleanup costs. Trenchless methods involve either relining an unbroken pipe or using a new pipe to burst the old one from the inside. These methods can cost anywhere from $1,000 to $3,000 for 100 linear feet.

Backflow Preventer

Installing a backflow preventer costs $100 to $900, plus $25 to $300 for labor. A backflow preventer keeps waste flowing toward the city sewer line away from your home.

Sewer Cleanout

The price to install a sewer cleanout ranges from $500 to $2,000. This estimate typically includes pipes and materials, equipment, tools, and labor. Plumbers use this access point to remove clogs in the line.

Cost to Switch From a Septic System to Sewer

Converting your home from a septic system to the city sewer could cost $6,000 or more. In addition to the price of laying and connecting the line, you must also pay to decommission your septic tank. If your project requires trenching under the foundation or installing new pipes inside the home, you can expect a higher total.

Decommissioning a Septic Tank

Ending the use of your septic tank costs $500 to $1,000. To avoid property damage, it’s essential that a professional properly end its use. Most pros recommend flushing out the tank and filling it with a stable material like sand. You can remove the tank, but most homeowners prefer to minimize landscaping disruption.

Under-Slab Trenching

Trenching under your foundation ranges from $150 to $200 per foot. You may need to follow this step if your existing pipes are under the house. Unlike digging a simple trench elsewhere on your property, this task requires extra care to avoid damaging your foundation.

Install New Plumbing Lines

The average cost to install new plumbing lines is $1,200. Switching from septic to sewer may require rerouting or placing new pipes to connect to the street.

Budgeting for Sewer Line Installation

When preparing for a sewer line installation, follow these tips to make your project more budget-friendly:

• Discuss sharing the costs with the other owners or homeowners association (HOA) if you live in a twin home, duplex, or townhome.

• Opt for more affordable piping materials such as PVC, polyethylene, or cast iron.

• If you have a green thumb, skip the landscaping costs and do the work on your own.

• Ask your plumber if there are any property repairs you can avoid.

• Check if the city will subsidize some or all of the sewer hookup costs.

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 over 10,000 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.