How Much Does It Cost to Install PEX Piping?

By Sarah Stasik

August 23, 2024

It's late at night, and half the household is attempting to grab some shut-eye, but that one night owl takes this time to have a long, relaxing shower. It wouldn't be a problem except for the old copper pipes creaking and clacking, keeping others up.

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That's just one reason you might be considering switching your home over to PEX pipes. If you're planning an upgrade to PEX fittings and plumbing, make sure you understand potential PEX pipe costs so you can make an informed decision.

What Is PEX Plumbing?

PEX piping is a type of plastic piping that's flexible and durable, making it a popular choice for home plumbing systems. PEX is an abbreviation for "cross-linked polyethylene," and it typically comes in bright colors to make it easy to identify plumbing lines even years after they've been installed.

Some benefits of installing PEX piping or replacing old systems with PEX plumbing include:

Reduced risk of leaks.
PEX is strong and durable, making it generally better than solutions like copper when it comes to mitigating leak risks throughout your home.
Moldability.
The flexibility of PEX tubing makes it possible to accommodate obstacles in walls and flooring or better bend and mold the pipe to fit under sinks.
Reduced plumbing noise.
Plastic PEX water lines don't clank or clatter like metal ones do, which can reduce the sound of water running in your home.
Better water quality.
Because PEX connectors and piping are less likely to corrode than traditional pipes, they may deliver higher-quality water to taps in your house.

How Much Does Pex Plumbing Material Cost?

Pex Pipe: Cost Per Foot

PEX pipe cost depends on factors that include where you live and how much tubing you need. On average, PEX pipe costs $0.50 to $2 (CAD 0.68 to CAD 2.73) per foot of tubing.

Pex Pipe: Cost by Type

PEX piping also comes in multiple types. PEX-A can handle higher water pressure and is less likely to burst. This can make it a good choice for homes in locations that get very cold temperatures, as PEX-A may be able to handle freezing water better. PEX-B is more resistant to chlorine, which may make it a good choice if you're in a location where the public water supply is treated with chlorine.

How Much Does It Cost to Replace Existing Piping With PEX?

If you want to convert existing piping to PEX, the total cost of the job will depend on factors such as:

How much piping you need to replace
. Converting all plumbing in your home to PEX plumbing is generally going to cost a lot more than installing a PEX water line to one sink.
Where you live.
Plumbing services and materials cost more in some states than others.
How complicated the job is.
If the plumbing lines run through interior walls that require plumbers to take out sections of drywall and spend a lot of time troubleshooting to get PEX tubing where it needs to go, you'll pay for the extra time and, potentially, the materials and labor required to close up Sheetrock holes.

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Average Labor Costs for Installing PEX Piping

If you're simply replacing a few fittings with PEX fittings, you might consider doing the work yourself — especially if you have some experience with home plumbing work. However, a whole-home plumbing swap is a big endeavor that could take inexperienced DIYers days to complete. A small error in the process can also lead to big problems down the road if your installation springs a leak.

So, you'll need to consider the labor costs of PEX pipe installation. This Old House reports that, on average, plumbers charge $150 to $500 (CAD 205 to CAD 682) per hour depending on where you're located, when you need work done and the skill required for the work. Some plumbing companies may provide a flat-rate quote for PEX tubing jobs, but they usually base them in part on how long the job will take.

An experienced plumbing team can complete a PEX pipe installation in 6 to 7 hours, but the size of the home and complexity of the job can change that figure. When getting quotes for PEX piping jobs, ask how long the plumbers think the job will take.

Materials Costs Related to PEX Piping Installation

You'll also have to cover the cost of the piping and PEX fittings, as well as any other materials required to get the job done. The total cost will depend on how much piping you need.

The total cost of a whole-home PEX installation can range from $2,280 to $5,120 (CAD 3,109 to CAD 6,981), according to data from HomeGuide.

All CAD conversions are based on the exchange rate on the date of publication.

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