Water Supply Pipe Replacement Cost

Damaged or old water pipes can lead to deterioration in water quality caused by corrosion as well as low water pressure. The pipes could also leak, which will not only raise your water bill but could also cause damage to your property. You might also want to change your water pipe because they are made from lead or iron.

Lead pipes may lead to traces of lead in your drinking water. Drinking water that contains lead is bad for your health. Lead poisoning can cause high blood pressure, memory loss, miscarriage in pregnant women and stomach pain.

If you have lead pipes, your water company may contribute towards the cost of replacement, or they may replace part of the lead pipework. Your local water company website should have details about lead pipe replacement.

Replacing your water pipes will mean you will have better quality water, improved flow rates, and more efficient water delivery to appliances, all of which will save energy.

Want to find out more about water pipe replacement costs?

Depending on the complexity of the job you can expect to pay, on average around £3,200 to replace a water pipe.

When you need a professional plumber to install a new water pipe, we can help you get free quotes too!

How Much is a Water Supply Pipe Replacement?

Water pipe replacement costs vary according to where in the UK you are located. Prices for services in London and the South East of England are usually higher than in other parts of the UK.

Prices will also depend on the length of the pipe, how easy it is to access and the property type. For example, the average length of a water pipe from, say, the kitchen to the main water pipe outside might range from 8 metres to 16 metres.

Accessibility is also a factor that must be taken into consideration. If the installation is more complex than standard, then you will pay more.

The cost of supplying and installing the pipework is usually done on a per-metre basis. The average cost per metre is around £150. That means at 8 metres, the total cost will be around £1200 and at 16 metres, the cost will be approximately £2400.

A plumber or a water installation expert can install a new pipe. A plumber, on average, charges between £27 and £80 an hour, but for a job like a replacement water pipe, they are more likely to charge per metre.

Water Supply Replacement Prices

Prices that are charged per metre will depend, of course, on the distance between the stopcock and your property.

Have a look at this chart for the average costs of replacing a water pipe per metre:

Replacing Water Pipe Cost

Types of Water Supply Types

As you can see from the chart, there are a number of different water supply pipes available. Here’s some information about the most popular types:

Copper Pipes

Copper has always been a popular choice for pipework. Although copper is more expensive to buy, it can last for between 40 and 50 years.

Pros:

• ✔ Long Lasting.
• ✔ Lightweight and easy to install.
• ✔ It has antibacterial properties, making it ideal for transporting drinking water.
• ✔ Recyclable.

Cons:

• ✖ More expensive than some other piping options.
• ✖ Must be insulated to cope with freezing weather.
• ✖ It can produce a build-up of scale and chlorine over time.

Cast Iron Pipes

Many older homes have cast iron pipework, as it used to be the ‘go-to’ material for water and drainage systems.

Pros:

• ✔ Durable – They can last around 100 years.
• ✔ High water pressure rarely causes leaks or burst pipes.
• ✔ Reduced noise from water flow.
• ✔ Resistant to external corrosion.

Cons:

• ✖ May rust over time.
• ✖ Expensive to buy.
• ✖ Heavy to handle, making them more difficult to install than other materials.

PEX Pipes (Cross-Linked Polyethylene)

PEX pipe is made using high-density polyethylene. It is a popular choice with plumbers working on residential water installations because it is flexible, which makes it easy to install.

Pros:

• ✔ Flexible to handle – Can bend around corners.
• ✔ Reduced need for fittings and joints.
• ✔ Good resistance to heat.
• ✔ Resistant to scale build-up and corrosion.

Cons:

• ✖ Not suitable for outdoor use.
• ✖ Solvents and chemicals will damage pipework.
• ✖ It may not last as long as other types of Pipework.

PVC Pipes

PVC pipes are made from a combination of plastic and vinyl. It is a cost-effective option for homeowners who don’t want to pay for copper. You can also buy chlorinated PVC piping (CPVC), which is often used in pipes that transport hot water.

Pros:

• ✔ Rust and corrosion-resistant.
• ✔ Lightweight and easy to install.
• ✔ Affordable.

Cons:

• ✖ When PVC isn’t chlorinated, it can warp in contact with heat.
• ✖ Sizing options are limited.
• ✖ Only suitable for underground pipes.

Stainless Steel

Stainless steel is used for water pipes because it is strong, durable and corrosion-resistant. It isn’t as cheap as other materials, but it will last for decades.

Pros:

• ✔ Resistant to corrosion.
• ✔ Durable.
• ✔ Recyclable.

Cons:

• ✖ Expensive.
• ✖ Needs professional installation.
• ✖ Heavy to handle.

HDPE Pipes (High-Density Polybutylene)

HDPE pipes are used in plumbing because they are cost-effective and flexible. HDPE is now standard for new supply pipes in UK housing developments as per Water Regs UK.

Pros:

• ✔ Lightweight, making them easy to handle and transport.
• ✔ Freeze-resistant, making them ideal in cold climates.
• ✔ Resistant to corrosion.

Cons:

• ✖ It can become brittle and crack over time.
• ✖ More difficult to bond together than other materials.
• ✖ Not as strong as steel or copper.

Additional Water Supply Pipe Replacement Costs

Let's take a look at some additional costs you may incur when replacing your water supply pipes.

Excavation

An additional cost you might need to budget for will be the excavation of land when digging the trenches needed to lay the pipework, if necessary. This could mean hiring a digger and labourers. The cost of hiring a digger is around £200 a day. If you have two men working for a day, then you’ll be looking at between £10 and £40 per hour, which will be between £80 and £320 for a day’s work.

Waste Removal

If you have the soil excavation removed, the cost will depend on the volume of soil you need to take away. For example, 500 kilos of soil will take around an hour to remove and cost in the region of £145.

If you decide to save money by doing it yourself, you can bag up the soil and take it to your local council tip. Some tips allow a limited amount of soil to be thrown away free of charge. Otherwise, each borough council has their own set of charges, which on average are between £3 and £6 per 25 litre bag or a similar amount.

Another option is to hire a skip. Skip hire varies depending on the size of the skip, but the average cost is around £220. A mini skip will cost between £90 and £130 for a week’s hire. Mini skips are equivalent to 30 to 40 bin bags.

Removal of Old Pipework

You should also consider the cost of taking away the old pipework before the replacement water pipe is installed. Some contractors will include this in their quote, but others will expect you to either pay more or arrange the removal and disposal yourself.

Permits & Utility Reports

You will also have the additional cost of a permit, which is, on average, between £90 and £150. Before digging a trench, you might also need a utility report to pinpoint the location of other underground pipes and cables. The average cost for this service is between £100 and £300, depending on what company you use and where you are located in the UK.

Labour Cost to Replace Water Supply Pipe & Timescales

The labour costs for installing a water pipe will be higher than the cost of materials because the job itself is labour-intensive. Many installation jobs will involve digging a trench, which can result in additional costs.

If you are quoted a price per metre, then it is likely that this will include the trenching work. There are two methods of trenching. There is the traditional method of excavating the land for the entire length of the pipework. This might be done by hand if it is a short distance. If the length is considerable, then a digger could be used. The average cost for a traditional trench is between £100 and £125 per metre.

The second method is called Moling. Moling is the process of digging two pits. One is a launch pit, and the other is a reception pit. The water pipe is then fired between the two pits in a straight line.

Moling reduces surface disruption and is the preferred private supply installation method for water companies.

Labour costs will increase if the job is complex or there is difficulty with access. Under these circumstances, the job will take longer, which may also have a bearing on the price you pay.

On average, you can expect it to take between one and three days to install a water pipe on an average UK property. However, excavating and laying pipework on a large plot of land could take 6 days or more.

The advantage of this method is that less land is excavated, so it’s not very disruptive. It’s also cheaper. However, because the piping can only be placed in a straight line, it may be necessary to dig more than two pits to get around a corner.

The average cost for Moling is between £150 and £200 per metre.

Factors That Impact Water Supply Pipe Replacement Costs

When installing a new water supply pipe, several key factors influence the overall cost. Below is a breakdown of the main considerations that impact pricing:

1. The Length of the Pipework

The total length of the pipe required is one of the biggest cost factors. The longer the pipe, the more materials and labour will be needed, increasing the overall cost. If your home is farther from the main water connection, expect to pay more for both materials and installation.

2. The Type of Pipes Used

Different types of pipes come with varying costs and durability. Common options include:

• Copper Pipes: Durable and long-lasting but more expensive.
• PVC Pipes: More affordable and resistant to corrosion, but may not be suitable for all applications.
• MDPE (Medium-Density Polyethylene) Pipes: A popular choice for underground water supply due to flexibility and resistance to leaks.

The choice of material affects both upfront costs and long-term maintenance expenses.

3. Contractor Rates

Labour costs vary depending on the contractor’s experience, location, and complexity of the job. Highly skilled professionals may charge more, but they ensure the work meets safety and quality standards. It's advisable to obtain multiple quotes to find a balance between quality and affordability.

4. Building Works Fees

If the installation requires modifications to existing structures, additional building work costs may apply. This can include:

• Digging up driveways, gardens, or pavements
• Reinstating surfaces after the pipe installation
• Potential structural adjustments to accommodate the new piping
• These additional construction expenses can significantly impact the final cost.

5. Type of Excavation (Traditional vs. Trenchless)

The excavation method used also influences the cost of pipe replacement:

• Traditional Excavation: Involves digging a trench along the pipe’s route. This method can be labour-intensive and disruptive, but may be necessary for certain installations.
• Trenchless (Mole Ploughing or Directional Drilling): A more modern and less invasive method that minimises surface disruption. It’s often faster and can reduce labour costs, but the technology and expertise required can increase the price.

Choosing the right excavation method depends on your property layout, budget, and the extent of work needed.

Building Regulations for Water Supply Pipe Replacement

England, Wales, Scotland, and Ireland have regulations and bylaws regarding water fittings. Professional contractors will know the regulations and bylaws (in England and Wales, they are covered by The Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations 1999).

Using a contractor who is approved by the Water Industry Approved Plumbers Scheme (WIAPS) or one of six other approved contractor schemes means the contractor will comply with water fitting regulations and can issue a compliance certificate when the job is completed.

If you use an independent plumber, the trench for the pipework needs to be inspected by the water company to make sure it complies with regulations. If you use an approved plumber, you don’t need a trench inspection.

Apart from the WIAPS, there are other Water Safe approved schemes, including:

• The Association of Plumbing and Heating Contractors (APHC)
• Chartered Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineering (CIPHE)
• Scottish and Northern Ireland Plumbing Employers Federation (SNIPEF)
• Anglian Water APLUS
• Severn Trent Watermark

Checklist: Hiring Contractors for a Water Supply Pipe Replacement

Here is a checklist of things you should consider when you want to hire a contractor to do your water supply pipe replacement.

• Request a fully itemised quote so you can see exactly what’s included
• Make sure the contractor has the relevant qualifications and experience for the job
• Check to see whether or not they are an approved contractor, especially if you want to avoid a trench inspection
• Make sure they are insured. The minimum a contractor should have is Public Liability Insurance, which will cover property damage or an accident while they are working at your premises
• Ask if trenching, digger hire, and soil and pipe removal are included in the quote. If not, you will have to obtain separate quotes for these items.
• Obtain at least 3 quotes with the same inclusions so that you can compare each one

Removing Old Water Pipes

The treatment of old pipes comes under the conditions of the Environment Agency. You must adhere to the following conditions set out in the Environmental Agency’s Regulatory Position Statement (RPS):

• Remove any broken pieces of pipe
• Record the position of the pipes
• Dispose of any hazardous waste

Water regulations require that old pipework be disconnected.

If you want the pipework removed, find out if your contractor will include the removal in your quote.

If you have to remove the pipes yourself, then you’ll need to take them to your nearest recycling centre. Lead and Copper are recyclable, and most plastic pipes are recyclable, too, but there are recycling centres that won’t accept ABS and PVC pipes, so check with your local centre.

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