Whole-House Repipe Cost in Texas (2026): PEX vs Copper
Texas homes get repiped for a few common reasons: polybutylene supply lines from the 1978–1995 building boom, corroded galvanized pipe in older houses, and repeated slab leaks [3][1]. Because most Texas homes sit on a concrete slab, a repipe here usually means abandoning the old lines under the floor and running new ones through the attic and walls, which adds cost [1][2]. The figures below come from 2026 published guides, three of them Texas-specific.
| Job | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| PEX whole-house repipe, Texas statewide | $4,500–$11,000 [3] |
| Copper whole-house repipe, Texas statewide | $8,000–$18,000 [3] |
| PEX repipe, Houston, under 1,500 sq ft | $4,500–$6,500 [1] |
| PEX repipe, Houston, 1,500–2,500 sq ft | $7,000–$11,500 [1] |
| PEX repipe, Austin, crawlspace / slab | $4,500–$9,000 / $7,500–$14,600 [2] |
| Copper repipe, Austin, crawlspace / slab | $9,000–$20,000+ / $12,000–$30,000+ [2] |
| Partial repipe (one zone), Texas | $1,500–$4,500 [3] |
| Polybutylene replacement, Houston | $3,000–$8,000 [1] |
| Whole-house repipe, national | $1,500–$15,000; most pay about $7,500 [4] |
| Repipe of an existing 2,000 sq ft home, national | $3,100–$5,500 on average [5] |
Where the sources disagree
The national guides don't agree on the middle. Angi says most homeowners pay about $7,500 [4], while HomeGuide puts a typical 2,000 sq ft repipe at $3,100–$5,500 [5]. The Texas-specific figures land closer to Angi, mostly because they assume slab homes that need attic reroutes [1][2]. Plumber Texas Guide also suggests adding about 12% in the big metros and taking off about 15% in small towns [3]. Use the ranges to sanity-check a quote, not to replace one.
PEX or copper?
In Texas, PEX is the default for most repipes. The pipe itself costs $0.40–$2 per linear foot against $2–$8 for copper [4], and it bends around corners with fewer fittings and installs 30–50% faster [1]. It also handles freezing better, which has mattered in recent Texas winters, and resists hard-water scale [1][3]. Copper typically runs 40–70% more for the same house [1] and lasts 50–70 years when maintained [1]. Some Houston crews use a hybrid of PEX inside the walls and Type L copper at the main entry [1]. Ask about it if you want copper where it shows.
What moves the price
- Slab vs pier and beam. Slab homes typically add 25–50% because lines are rerouted overhead [1][2].
- Fixtures, bathrooms and stories. More fixtures and a second floor mean more pipe and labor [1]. Labor is about 70% of the bill [4].
- Old pipe type. Galvanized replacement runs 10–20% above a standard repipe in Houston because of corroded fittings [1]. Statewide, the galvanized premium is $1,000–$3,000 [3].
- Drywall and paint. Patching access holes is often quoted separately, $500–$2,500 in Houston [1].
- Add-ons. A new water main costs $600–$2,500 and a new water heater $850–$1,750 [4].
Practical tips
- If you've had more than one slab leak, compare the cost of another under-slab repair with a reroute. See our guide to slab leak repair cost.
- Get at least three itemized bids that state the pipe type, fixture count, drywall repair, permit and whether the main line is included [1].
- Most whole-house jobs take one to five days, and water is usually restored each evening [1].
- Repipes must be done under a licensed plumber with a permit [3][1]. Here's how to check a Texas plumber's license. If your water heater is near the end of its life, see water heater replacement cost, since it's often swapped at the same time.
Sources
- Santhoff Plumbing Co., Cost to Repipe a House in Houston (2026 Pricing Guide)
- Mend Services, Whole Home Repiping Cost Austin TX (2026)
- Plumber Texas Guide, Repiping Cost in Texas: PEX vs Copper (2026)
- Angi, How Much Does It Cost to Repipe a House? (updated Aug 2026)
- HomeGuide, How Much Does It Cost to Install or Replace Plumbing? (2026)
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