RMP Bradley Earp · TSBPE M-43562Responsible Master Plumber Bradley Earp, TSBPE M-43562.

Sewer Line Replacement Cost in DFW: Real Prices, Worked Examples

Bradley Earp, Responsible Master Plumber, TSBPE M-43562

Most sewer line cost articles give you a range so wide it’s useless: “$3,000 to $25,000.” This guide does the opposite. Below are the actual prices we charge in Dallas-Fort Worth, how the job is measured, and four worked examples you can match to your house.

Every job starts with a $97 diagnostic, a camera inspection as needed, and a written quote before work begins. We’re open Monday through Saturday and closed Sunday.

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Our prices

Open trenching in the yard: $180 per foot.

Used for the line between the house and the City connection, where we can dig from the surface.

Tunneling under the slab: $425 per foot.

Used for lines under the house, dug by hand under the foundation from outside so floors stay intact.

Access hole: $1,150 each.

Each pit we dig beside the foundation to start a tunnel or reach a connection.

Discount: 15% off when you approve a written quote the same day you get it.

Financing: available, subject to credit approval.

Already have a quote? Our Certified Price Review: we’ll match or beat apples-to-apples plumbing scopes (terms apply).

How a sewer replacement is measured

Your quote is three numbers added together:

1Feet of yard line to trench, from the foundation to the cleanout or the City tap.
2Feet of tunnel under the slab, to reach the main and each branch being replaced.
3Number of access holes, usually one or two on a typical ranch home.

A camera inspection measures all three. That’s why we won’t quote a sewer replacement without one: the footage is the price.

Four worked examples

These are illustrations built from our real rates, not actual jobs. Your written quote will show whether City permit fees are included.

Example 1: Yard line only, house to street

A 1980s home where the camera shows root intrusion and a belly only in the yard. The pipe under the house is fine.

• 50 ft of trenching × $180 = $9,000

Total: $9,000. With same-day approval: $7,650.

Example 2: Main line from under the house to the street

The main fails right where it leaves the slab, and the yard line is the same age.

• 25 ft of tunnel × $425 = $10,625
• 1 access hole × $1,150 = $1,150
• 40 ft of trenching × $180 = $7,200

Total: $18,975. With same-day approval: $16,128.75.

Example 3: Under-slab drains only (cast iron)

A 1960s ranch where the cast iron under the house is scaled and channeled, but the yard line was replaced by a previous owner.

• 40 ft of tunnel × $425 = $17,000
• 2 access holes × $1,150 = $2,300

Total: $19,300. With same-day approval: $16,405.

Example 4: Whole system, two-bath 1970s home

Cast iron under the slab to both bathroom groups and the kitchen, plus the original yard line.

• 55 ft of tunnel × $425 = $23,375
• 2 access holes × $1,150 = $2,300
• 20 ft of trenching × $180 = $3,600

Total: $29,275. With same-day approval: $24,883.75.

Want your own number? Our sewer line cost calculator lets you pick the floor plan closest to yours and prices the tunnels, holes and trench for that layout.

What changes the price

How much of the line is under the house. Tunneling costs more than twice as much per foot as trenching, so the split between the two matters more than total length.
How many bathroom groups are tied in. Each branch you replace adds tunnel footage.
Expansive clay. Much of DFW sits on high shrink-swell clay (about 74.5% of Collin County's rated soil, per USDA survey data). Our online estimator adds 10% when the soil is expansive clay. If your lot needs that extra work, it will be itemized on the written quote.
Depth and obstacles. Driveways, mature trees and deep connections add labor. We price what the camera and locate show, in writing, before any work starts.
Spot repair vs. full replacement. One localized break can be fixed through a single access hole. If the pipe is failing along its length, a full replacement is usually cheaper than repeat repairs.

Does insurance pay for sewer line replacement?

Usually not for wear, age, roots or corrosion. Some homeowner policies cover access costs or the water damage a broken line causes, and some carriers sell a separate service line endorsement. Read your policy or ask your agent. We’ll give you camera video and an itemized quote to submit.

Who pays: you or the City?

In Plano, Richardson and Garland, the homeowner owns the sewer line from the house out to the City connection or cleanout. In Richardson that’s the City’s two-way cleanout; in Plano it’s the City main. The City maintains the main in the street. Check your own city’s rules before assuming either way.

How to compare two sewer quotes

Line them up item by item:

•Feet of tunnel, feet of trench and number of access holes
•Pipe material (we use PVC drain pipe) and whether a two-way cleanout is included
•Permit, inspection, backfill, compaction and cleanup
•Warranty (we'll include the terms in your written quote)
•Whether a camera video is included before and after

If another licensed plumber’s written quote covers the same scope, send it to us. Under our Certified Price Review, we’ll match or beat apples-to-apples plumbing scopes (terms apply).

When trenchless is an option

Where the old yard line is still round and the route is open, trenchless pipe bursting can replace that section without a full-length open trench. Under-slab work is still done by tunneling from outside, so floors, tile and cabinets stay in place. We’ll tell you on the camera inspection whether bursting, tunneling, open trench, or a mix is the right method for your line, and the written quote will use the same published per-foot rates for the work we actually do.

FAQs

How much does it cost to replace a sewer line per foot in DFW?

We charge $180 per foot to trench in the yard and $425 per foot to tunnel under the slab, plus $1,150 per access hole.

How much does it cost to replace a sewer line under the house?

Under-slab work is $425 per foot of tunnel plus $1,150 per access hole. A partial run might be 20 to 30 feet; a whole two-bath house is often 50 feet or more.

How long does a sewer line replacement take?

A yard-only replacement is often finished faster than whole-house under-slab work. You'll get a written schedule with the quote.

Can I live in the house during the work?

Usually yes. Tunneling is done from outside. You'll have limited drain use on the day the new line is tied in.

Is there a discount?

Yes: 15% off when you approve your written quote the same day. Financing is available, subject to credit approval. Every job starts with a $97 diagnostic and a written quote. We're open Monday through Saturday and closed Sunday.