Plumbing Renovation Price Guide - How Much to Budget in 2024?

It might come as a surprise, but the proper workings of your home’s plumbing system are vital for maintaining a comfortable lifestyle. 

Naturally, as with all good things, a hiccup or two is likely to occur, yet the unthinkable sometimes happens: a major plumbing problem. In such a case, there’s no way around it, you’ll have to invest in your home to repair damaged fixtures before they get any more problematic. 

So, are you planning a plumbing renovation project? Whether it's a bathroom renovation, appliance installation, or any other project, you're in luck! We've put together a price guide detailing the types of expenses you may encounter while completing your project, to give you the best chance of success.

How Much Does It Cost to Install New Plumbing?

Cost of Replacing Household Pipes

Regarding everything surrounding the replacement of household plumbing pipes, renovations can entail a couple of large-scale undertakings, depending on the extent of your needs. On average, you will likely spend between $50 and $250 per linear foot should you choose our (more than recommended) route of seeking a qualified professional's services. 

Cost of Installing a Water Heater

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A water heater’s service life varies depending on its quality—it can be anywhere from a few years to 15. However, several factors can cause the system’s aging process to speed up, such as the water’s mineral content. Installing a water heater is much more complex than one might think. Indeed, such work is tied to electrical and plumbing standards that must be respected at all costs. A plumbing installation done by a professional can positively affect the water heater’s lifespan and limit the risks of complications. 

One can spot of faulty water heater needing replacing by the following: your household water isn’t as warm as it used to be or the hot water runs out fairly quickly; rust is a telltale sign of cracks; and the water isn’t as clear as it used to be. For a professionally done installation, your budget should be between $750 and $1,400, or more, taxes excluded. 

Cost of Replacing a Toilet

There are several reasons why you may need to replace a toilet. It may be because it’s old; not functioning properly or as effectively as it once did; the toilet bowl model was discontinued; or the latter is simply broken. To replace your toilet with a newer model, should you secure the help of an industry professional, budget between $250 and $700.

Cost of Replacing a Sink

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A sink replacement may be your best bet if yours is broken, old, or working poorly. Replacing a sink requires some plumbing and safety know-how. Securing the help of a qualified professional is worth it; budget between $200 and $500. 

Cost of Replacing a Bathtub

Installing a bathtub isn’t an easy feat for all. When a tub starts cracking, replacing it as quickly as possible is a must to avoid water leaks rotting and eating away at your bathroom. Hiring a plumber is an important step as they’ll inspect the infrastructure and ascertain if the existing plumbing is suited to your new tub.  

Depending on the size of your bath, the plumber might remove the base moulding, flooring, and floor. They'll also ascertain whether your floor can withstand the weight of the new tub. To have an industry professional replace your bathtub, budget between $1,300 and $1,500 before taxes.

Cost of Updating a Bathroom’s Entire Plumbing

If your bathroom is in dire need of a plumbing overhaul, note that the cost of replacing fixtures like a toilet, shower, bathtub, etc., is likely to vary significantly. However, to ensure your renovation is done under the best conditions, hiring the help of a professional will cost you, on average, a minimum of $6,000. Said amount can soar significantly, depending on the work done in your bathroom. 

Cost of Installing a Kitchen Sink

Changing a kitchen sink includes installing or altering the wastewater connection. Doing so is an important preliminary step. Hiring a specialist allows you to limit the margin for errors or problems post-installation. If you’re looking to install a new kitchen sink with the help of a professional, plan on spending around $200 to $700. 

To see bathroom renovation projects completed by RenoQuotes.com affiliated contractors, check out our article 10 Examples of Bathroom Renovation Projects.

What Factors Affect the Cost of Plumbing Repairs?

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Scope of the Plumbing Work

One of the most significant factors affecting the cost of your plumbing renovation is, and will always be, the scope of the work to be carried out. A minor repair or renovation, such as replacing a faucet, is a lot less complex and demanding than, say, replacing a bathtub. As such, based on the work you wish to have done, the renovation cost can vary from a couple hundred dollars to a few thousand. 

Plumber's Labour Costs

In all likelihood, you aren’t carrying out plumbing renovations yourself. As such, you’re going to seek to hire a professional and certified plumber to complete the job for you. As with all construction/renovation work, labour costs are at the forefront of all expenses, especially when it's quality work. 

Materials

Material costs are one of the main expenses when it comes to plumbing renovation projects. Whether you’re replacing pipes and faucets, or installing new equipment, the materials needed can add up quickly, resulting in a hefty bill. Choosing quality materials suited to your needs is crucial, ensuring durability and long-term satisfaction with your new installation.  

Your Home’s Square Footage and Number of Plumbing Fixtures

  The size of your home and the number of plumbing fixtures can also affect the sheer cost of your plumbing project. Bigger homes with more plumbing fixtures typically require more materials and labour hours to carry out all renovations or installations. It’s important to consider the aforementioned factors when establishing your budget for plumbing repairs.   

What Additional Costs Should Be Factored In?

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Access to the Plumbing System

When it comes to plumbing projects, access to the plumbing pipes is a rate-determining factor. The harder the existing plumbing system is to access, the greater the costs. For example, if your basement has to be excavated in order to access the pipeline sitting beneath the concrete slab, the labour and material costs will typically be steeper. Hence the value in assessing the plumbing system’s accessibility when establishing a realistic budget for your plumbing renovations.  

Additional Repairs or Upgrades Required

The need for additional repairs or upgrades can also affect the plumbing project’s overall price tag. Unexpected findings, such as damaged or obsolete pipelines can call for additional repairs or upgrades to ensure the system’s reliability. Therefore, to avoid unforeseen spending mid-project, make sure your budget has some leeway in the event unplanned repairs are needed. 

FAQ

Is It Easy to Change a House's Plumbing?

While it all depends on the specific project, as a general rule, no, changing a house's plumbing is not easy.

Where Can the Best Plumbing Specialists Be Found?

If you're looking for the best plumbers in Quebec and other Canadian provinces, check out this list of certified plumbers from Reno Quotes.

Want to keep reading about household plumbing problems? Check out our article: The 10 Most Common Plumbing Issues.