Home Services Guidelines and Best Practices
House Repiping
House Repiping guidelines, FAQs and unit pricing information
January 2017
Are you looking for independent, trustworthy advice about House Repiping? Do you need to understand common installation options? If your project calls for House Repiping work, the following guidelines and best practices will help you understand: Is a subcontractor really necessary for House Repiping work? Will a permit be required? What are common problem areas? How much will House Repiping labor cost? What are the important House Repiping quality checks that should be included in the work requirements?
House Repiping - Frequently Asked Questions
| What is a fair price for House Repiping? | Costs vary with project size, job quality and time of year. For typical House Repiping expect to pay between $532.50 to $1,331.25 for each supply line. Additional fees are typically charged for small projects or rush jobs. |
| Is a permit needed for House Repiping work? | Design approval and/or permits from your local building authority are usually required for House Repiping. Verify requirements with your local building department before any House Repiping work begins. |
| Is it worth using a professional to perform House Repiping work? | The operation and performance of the supply pipe may be adversely affected by inexperience or poor installation techniques. Hire service providers for House Repiping carefully and be sure to tie payment milestones to appropriate quality checks (from the list below). |
| Is House Repiping something that I can do myself? | This is not a project recommended for the do it yourselfer. A successful House Repiping requires the work of skilled trade contractors as well as special materials, tools, fabrication and installation techniques. Do it yourself mistakes may be expensive to remedy and will likely reduce the marketability and value of your home. |
| How many days are typically required to complete the House Repiping work? | This work can be completed in 2 to 5 days. |
House Repiping - Options, Quality Checks and Important Details
Use the list below to document your expectations for level of detail and finish quality for House Repiping. Make sure that relevant information is included in any written contracts or work orders on your project. Before any House Repiping work begins, review the checklist with the service provider. Tie payments to satisfactory completion of this checklist.
- All materials, connectors and fasteners used for the House Repiping will be mechanically and electrochemically (non-corroding) compatible with the House Repiping
- Locate and secure pipe in straight, clean runs along framing, so that pipe is protected from damage
- All supply line runs of 16 feet or less will be made with an single continuous piece of material
- All supply line water flow controls will operate smoothly with light effort and produce no "water hammer" when shut on or off quickly
- The installed supply pipe will operate at no less than 95% of manufacturers rated capacity
- The supply line, its connections and fittings will be verified 100% leak-free under all operating conditions
- The supply pipe will be securely anchored to structural framing
House Repiping - Work Milestones and Project Reminders
The following list summarizes work tasks commonly performed during House Repiping. These tasks help ensure proper completion of the supply pipe work and compliance with common manufacturer and vendor warranty requirements. Make sure that either you or your service provider takes responsibility for each of these tasks. All service provider task responsiblities should be clearly called out in the written contract or work orders.
- Complete written contract, including scope of work, quality checks, warranty, timing and payment terms; ensure that contract is signed before work begins
- Review and approve detailed layout / plan that shows location, orientation and placement of supply pipe, before any work begins
- Confirm date (and time) for project start with subcontractor - one week and two days prior to project start
- Review material choices for House Repiping with the homeowner before work begins - consider toxic exposure, allergic risks and environmental factors; purchase construction materials only after approval
- Obtain a permit for House Repiping from local building authority; post permit on the jobsite as required
- Review site access, clean-up restrictions , work hours, bathroom use and other jobsite rules with all subcontractors and laborers before they begin work
- Prepare area for safe, efficient work; move items that restrict work access or are vulnerable to damage; cover and protect items that cannot be moved
- Inspect installation quality and verify proper operation for supply pipe using the Quality Checklist on this page; create a punch list of final tasks that must be completed prior to final payment
- Schedule and supervise House Repiping permit inspection
- Correct any permit issues; schedule and confirm final permit inspection signoff
- Submit final payment in exchange for signed lien release; final payment amount should be adjusted for excess material to be returned and tasks not performed; pay with a check to ensure expense can be verified for tax purposes
