Blog>Cost Guides>How much does sewer pipe installation cost?
Last updated: 2 August 2024
How much does sewer pipe installation cost?
Want to connect your home to a main sewer system? Then you’ll need to lay a sewer line or pipe. Here, we’ll delve into the average sewer pipe installation cost.
Need to connect your home to a main sewer system or replace your existing sewer line? Then you’ll probably be keen to know the average sewer pipe installation cost. You’re in the right place!
Your sewer line is what connects your home to a main sewer system. It’s basically a thick pipe that slopes downwards to encourage water to flow away from your home and into the main sewer – and it’s normally buried underneath your garden.
Here, we’ll break down the typical sewer line installation cost to help you budget, whether you’re in need of a replacement or a brand new connection to a mains sewer.
What’s the average cost for sewer line installation?
The average cost to replace a sewer pipe is £535 per metre.
However, if you need to connect to the mains sewer from scratch, you’ll also need to factor in making the necessary applications to your water company. With that in mind, typical project costs can vary from around £10,000 to £45,000.
| Item | Unit | Cost+VAT (lower range) | Cost+VAT (higher range) | Average cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sewer pipe replacement | Per metre | £180 | £890 | £535 |
| New sewer connection | Per project | £10,000 | £45,000 | £27,500 |
| Relocating sewer line | Per project | - | - | £5,000 |
| Last updated: July 2024 Our costs are ballpark averages - get a local tradesperson to quote now | ||||
Cost to install sewer line per foot
As a rough guide, you can expect to pay around £167 per foot to lay a new sewer pipe.
Just bear in mind that this doesn’t include the cost of applications to the water company if you’re installing a new sewer line from scratch.
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What’s the average cost to replace a sewer line?
If your sewer pipe is damaged, it’s usually more cost-effective to invest in sewer line repair costs as opposed to forking out for a sewer line replacement.
However, sometimes a replacement is the only option.
If this is the case, you can expect to pay somewhere between £180 and £890 per metre, depending on factors like what your pipework is made from and its depth.
Often, you’ll only need to replace sections of your sewer line, rather than the whole thing.
But if your sewer line has experienced significant damage, or it’s more than 50 years old, it might be time to consider a full sewer line replacement.
You may also find that you want to relocate your drain and therefore your sewer line, for instance if you’re planning an extension.
In this case, you’re looking at an overall cost of around£45,000.
Broken down, this cost includes roughly £2,700 for materials and plant rental, £1,800 for labour and £500 (£75+ p/h) for drainage relocation design.
A drainage engineer will be able to assess and plan the revised layout, depth and installation so the works can be approved with planning permission and carried out.
How much does a new sewer line installation cost?
If your home isn’t currently connected to a mains sewer, you might be wondering how much a new sewer line installation costs.
In this case, as well as the above costs of pipework, you’ll also have to factor in making the necessary applications to your water company.
This includes Section 106 (consent to connect) and Section 104 (sewer adoption).
Different water companies will charge different amounts. And they’ll also have different procedures and charging structures that will impact your final bill.
However, if we use Thames Water as an example, you’ll be faced with:
£330 for consent to connect directly to a public sewer – or £110 for consent to connect indirectly to a public sewer
£1,000 to cover the application fee for sewer adoption
1.4% of the estimate of the construction cost
£840 legal fee for the adoption agreement
£750 easement fee (to solidify access rights)
A deposit of either£5,000 or 10% of the construction cost estimate (you’ll get this back when your 12-month maintenance period expires)
These rates will vary from company to company, but they’re usually fixed. This means you can get a clear idea of how much you’ll need to pay in applications beforehand, by heading over to your water company’s website.
Most water companies will also give ballpark costs for their subcontractor to carry out the new sewer connection works.
However, it can work out more cost-effective to find a contractor yourself. Not only will their rates often be competitive, but they’ll also be able to give you a detailed quote so you have a clearer idea of your overall costs before the work begins.
Total costs to connect your home to the mains sewer can be anywhere between £10,000 and £45,000, including applications to your water company.
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Factors affecting the cost of laying a sewer pipe
As you can see, it’s not easy to estimate the cost of laying a sewer pipe or connecting your home to a mains sewer.
Why? Well, every project is different and will have different requirements. Here are some of the main factors that can affect your overall costs.
Proximity of your home to the nearest mains sewer
Quantity of pipework needed
Size of your home
Depth of your pipework
Material of your pipework
Water company fees
Access
The best way to get an accurate price for your project is to get quotes from drainage engineers near you. They’ll be able to inspect your property to give you a bespoke quote.
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Sewer pipe installation cost key takeaways
The average cost of replacing a sewer pipe is £535 per metre
Connecting to a mains sewer can cost anywhere from £10,000 to £45,000
It’s always best to get at least three quotes so you can budget correctly for the work
Contact or pay a trade through Checkatrade and you’re covered by our 12-month guarantee of up to £1,000*
FAQs
How much does sewage piping cost?
That depends on the diameter of your pipework, as well as the quality of the pipes. PVC pipes are the cheapest, while copper pipes are better quality but more expensive.
As a general guide, you can expect to pay between £180 and £890 per metre for new sewage piping, including installation.
How much does it cost to connect to the mains sewer?
The cost of connecting to a mains sewer will vary depending on factors including your water company and how far away the sewer is from your property.
Total costs can fall anywhere between £10,000 and £45,000.
How much to get new drains installed?
That depends on what kind of drain you want!
The average cost of installing a French drain is around £200 per metre.
Meanwhile, the average soakaway lawn drainage system costs between £1,000 and £2,500.
Head over to our garden drainage system cost guide to learn more.
How much does it cost to install a gully?
If you’re looking to install a gully, you’ll usually need to budget around £230 per day for a groundworker, plus around £130 per day for a labourer.
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