Real 2025 numbers (not "starting at" fantasy pricing)
Here are the price ranges we actually quote for whole-house repipes in the South Bay this year. These are firm written quotes, not "starting at $X" bait.
Single-story, 2 bath, 1,200 sq ft (typical Lemon Grove or west National City bungalow):
- PEX: $6,800–$9,500
- Copper: $8,900–$12,500
Single-story, 3 bath, 1,600 sq ft (typical postwar East County or Chula Vista):
- PEX: $8,500–$11,500
- Copper: $11,200–$15,000
Two-story, 3 bath, 2,000 sq ft:
- PEX: $10,500–$14,500
- Copper: $13,900–$18,900
Two-story, 4+ bath, 2,800+ sq ft (Bonita estate, Coronado, Eastlake):
- PEX: $14,500–$21,000
- Copper: $19,500–$28,000
Ranges reflect access difficulty, wall texture complexity, and whether hot AND cold or just cold are being replaced.
What is included in that number
The base repipe quote covers:
- All new supply lines (hot and cold) from meter to every fixture
- New shutoffs at every fixture (angle stops, quarter-turn ball valves)
- New water heater flex connectors and dielectric unions
- New washing machine hookups
- All wall openings patched drywall-ready (level 4 finish)
- Plumbing permit with City of National City or San Diego County
- Inspector sign-off and pressure test
- Manufacturer warranty registration
- 10-year labor warranty on the install
What is NOT included (and how to think about it)
- Wall paint and texture match. We patch to drywall-ready. Your painter (or ours as an add-on) handles the finish. Budget $600–$1,800 depending on how many rooms.
- Cabinet removal. If a cabinet blocks access, we may need to remove and reinstall it. Small fee if straightforward, more if custom.
- Tile work. Tile floors or walls that need to be cut and re-set are handled separately.
- Main water service replacement. If the line from the meter to the house is also failing, add $1,800–$3,200.
- Water heater or softener install at the same time. If you are already opening up the house, this is the cheapest moment. Add costs vary — separately quoted.
What drives the price up or down
Access. Attics with 6-foot standing headroom and easy crawl spaces = lower. Slab construction with cabinets in the way = higher.
Story count. Two-story homes require more vertical runs, sometimes wall opening on both floors above and below each fixture.
Number of fixtures. Each fixture (sink, toilet, tub, shower) needs its own supply drop and new shutoff. Bathrooms with dual vanities, kitchens with pot fillers, laundry rooms with utility sinks all add fixture count.
Wall material. Modern drywall opens and patches cleanly. Original plaster and lath (some pre-1940 National City homes) is more labor-intensive to open and match.
PEX vs copper. PEX is roughly 20–30% less than copper for the same house. On Sweetwater's water and with San Diego County code approval, PEX is our default recommendation. See galvanized replacement options for the deeper material comparison.
How to compare quotes fairly
You will get quotes from us and at least one or two other plumbers on a project this size. Here is how to compare apples to apples:
- Is the quote firm or "starting at"? Firm only. "Starting at" is a bait number.
- Does it include drywall patching to level 4? If not, add $1,200–$2,500 to that quote.
- Does it include the permit? If not, add $200–$600.
- What labor warranty? Anything under 10 years on a repipe is short.
- Are they replacing hot and cold, or just the failing side? Cold-only is meaningfully cheaper but you will be back for hot later.
- How much of the old pipe stays? Sometimes leaving abandoned galvanized in the wall makes sense (behind a cabinet, sealed off). Sometimes it does not. Ask.
Financing
Repipes are eligible for financing with approved credit. 0% intro plans available for 12 or 24 months. We handle the paperwork at the kitchen table before we start.
When "not now" is the right answer
If your galvanized has not had a single leak and the pressure is fine, we won't push you into a repipe today. What we will do is set an inspection reminder for 12 months. Plan the repipe on your timeline, not on an emergency's timeline.
When to move faster
Two bursts on the same system within 12 months. Any burst on a system over 55 years old. Chronic low pressure that has never come back after descaling aerators. Rust in the tap water. Any one of those is a strong "do it this year" signal. See burst pipe context here.