How Much Does a Sewer Line Repair Cost in Phoenix?

Got a busted main sewer line that’s giving you problems? You’re probably worrying about how much it will cost to repair.

The cost to repair a main sewer line in Phoenix can run anywhere from $1,000 to $15,000, with the average cost being $3,700.

That’s a wide range, we know. Your repair cost will depend on these factors:

• A camera inspection before the repair
• Location of the damage
• Length of the line
• Repair method (traditional vs. trenchless)
• Cleanup and landscaping
• The plumber you hire

Need a plumber right away? Just contact us and we’ll send over one of our Phoenix plumbers ASAP.

Cost factor #1: A camera inspection

A camera inspection will add $235–$425 to your sewer line repair. However, it will reduce the overall cost of your repair.

See, when a plumber conducts a camera inspection, they run a camera attached to a cable down your pipe. This helps your plumber:

• Locate the damage. This saves the plumber loads of time, meaning less labor costs for you. It also reduces your cleanup and landscaping costs because the plumber will only have to dig where the damage is.
• See what caused the damage (clog, tree root, etc.). This helps your plumber gauge the extent of the damage and the tools needed to repair it. Your plumber will be able to repair the pipe right, instead of guessing the best solution.
• Know the material of your pipe. Knowing the type and size of your sewer line will save your plumber time in determining the best way to repair it. They can also check for other signs of damage or deterioration that will cause costly repairs in the future.

A camera inspection isn’t necessary for all sewer line repairs, but your plumber will most likely recommend one if they can’t see the damage from the access point.

Cost factor #2: Location of the damage

If the damaged pipe is hard to reach (buried deep, surrounded by trees, covered by pool decking, etc.), your contractor will need to use more time and tools to fix it, which means more money in labor costs.

For example, if the damaged pipe is directly beneath your sidewalk or driveway, the contractor will need additional tools to break up the concrete. The extra time and pricey machinery will increase the overall cost of your sewer line repair.

You’ll also have to pay more in labor costs if the line is close to a utility line. Your contractor will mark where the utility line is (so they don’t accidentally hit it), which will take more time and cost more in labor.

Cost factor #3: Length of the line

If part of your main sewer line needs to be replaced, expect to pay anywhere from $200 to $500 per foot of replacement. Normally, your cost depends on the material of your pipe.

• More expensive pipe materials: copper, iron, steel, clay, concrete
• Less expensive pipe materials: PVC or ABS

Cost factor #4: Repair method

More often than not, traditional sewer repairs are more expensive—ranging from $150 to $350 per foot—than trenchless sewer repairs. That’s because, with traditional sewer repairs, your contractor has to spend hours digging up (trenching) your lawn to reach the main sewer line, which means more money spent on labor and cleanup costs. If the contractor has to dig by hand instead of using machinery, that means even more in labor costs.

Trenchless repairs might cost more for the actual repair, but they’re less invasive than traditional repairs, meaning fewer cleanup costs for you.

Two of the most common trenchless repair methods are:

1. Pipe bursting, which costs around $350–$600 per foot. This involves running a cable with a “bursting head” down the pipe. The cone-shaped head breaks up the damaged pipe, while pulling through a new pipe to replace the old one.
2. Pipe lining, which costs around $200–$300 per foot. This involves putting a fiberglass resin liner on the inside of the damaged pipe. The resin cures, essentially creating a new pipe. This method is preferred when only a small part of the old pipe needs repaired.

Cost factor #5: Cleanup and landscaping

If you need to go with the traditional repair method, you’ll likely spend a lot of money (sometimes up to $10,000) on cleaning up and landscaping your lawn.

Below are some cleanup and landscaping costs you might have to pay in Phoenix:

• Repaving your driveway or sidewalk
• Fixing flood damage from burst pipes
• Replanting topsoil, bushes, trees or gardens
• Repairing structures (sheds, fences, porches, etc.)

Cost factor #6: The plumber you hire

Plumbers normally charge you for service in one of two ways:

1. Hourly rate: Some contractors will charge you for each hour it takes to complete the job, normally around $75–$125 per hour. The problem with hiring a plumber who charges hourly is that you won’t know your exact cost until you’re paying the bill.
2. Fixed rate: Other contractors (like us) charge a flat rate for the entire project—no matter how long the job takes. With fixed rate pricing, you know exactly how much you’re paying before any work begins.

Higher quality contractors will charge more for their labor. But don’t let that keep you from hiring a qualified, experienced contractor.

A sewer line repair isn’t something you want to skimp on. Yes, repairs can be costly, but a repair done poorly will cost you a lot more money in the form of future repairs.

When hiring a plumber, we recommend you:

• Hire a plumber that’s licensed and insured, in case something goes wrong during the repair.
• Check out online customer reviews (Better Business Bureau, Yelp, Google).
• Get a written estimate, so you know exactly how much your repair will cost.

Need a more accurate estimate for your main sewer line repair? Contact our AZ plumbers.

Give us a call or schedule an appointment online. We’ll send over one of our Phoenix plumbers to give you a quote for your specific repair.

We’ll give you a flat rate, so you’ll know the exact cost of the repair before any work begins. No surprise bills with us.

Related reading: What’s the Cost of a Main Sewer Line Cleaning in Phoenix?