Estimate repiping costs for Florida homes. Compare PEX, copper, and CPVC, identify problem pipe materials, and understand FL-specific factors: slab access, chloramine degradation, and polybutylene replacement
FL PIPE MATERIALS GUIDE| Home Size | PEX | Copper | CPVC |
|---|---|---|---|
| < 1,000 sq ft | $2,800ā$4,500 | $6,000ā$9,000 | $3,200ā$5,000 |
| 1,000ā1,500 sq ft | $3,500ā$6,000 | $7,500ā$12,000 | $4,200ā$7,000 |
| 1,500ā2,000 sq ft | $4,500ā$8,000 | $9,500ā$15,000 | $5,500ā$9,500 |
| 2,000ā2,500 sq ft | $5,500ā$10,000 | $12,000ā$19,000 | $7,000ā$12,000 |
| 2,500ā3,000 sq ft | $7,000ā$13,000 | $15,000ā$23,000 | $9,000ā$15,000 |
| 3,000+ sq ft | $9,000ā$16,000 | $18,000ā$28,000 | $11,000ā$18,000 |
FL copper pinhole epidemic: Miami-Dade, Broward, and Tampa Bay water utilities add chloramine (not plain chlorine), which is more aggressive toward copper than chlorine. Copper pipes in chloramine service areas can develop pinhole leaks in 15ā25 years ā significantly shorter than the 50ā70 year lifespan in non-chloramine water. A water softener does not prevent chloramine pitting.
Chloramine utilities in FL: Miami-Dade Water, Broward County Water, Tampa Bay Water, Hillsborough County, Palm Beach County Utilities. If your utility uses chloramine and you want copper, ask about Type K (thicker wall) as a premium option.
| Factor | PEX | Copper | CPVC |
|---|---|---|---|
| Material cost/ft | $0.50ā$1.50 | $2.00ā$4.50 | $0.50ā$1.25 |
| Installed cost/ft | $2ā$4.50 | $4.50ā$9 | $2.50ā$5 |
| FL slab routing | Excellent | Difficult | Moderate |
| Chloramine resist. | Excellent | Good (short-term) | Poor |
| Hard water | No effect | Scale (manageable) | No effect |
| Freeze resistance | Excellent | None | Poor |
| Expected lifespan FL | 40ā50 yrs | 25ā50 yrs* | 10ā25 yrs* |
| FL slab home choice | ā ā ā Best | ā ā Good | ā Caution |
*Shorter lifespan in chloramine service areas (Miami-Dade, Broward, Tampa, Palm Beach County utilities)
Why FL slabs cost more: Over 70% of Florida homes are built on concrete slab foundations ā the opposite of northern states where crawl spaces are standard. Any pipe embedded in the slab requires jackhammering concrete, which dramatically increases repiping costs and creates restoration work (concrete patching, flooring repair).
Slab repipe strategies:
ā¢ Reroute overhead (preferred for PEX): Run new PEX through walls, attic, or ceiling rather than digging up the slab. Eliminates jackhammering. Most cost-effective in FL. Works well with PEX's flexibility.
ā¢ Tunnel under slab: Dig under the slab perimeter to access pipes without breaking the floor. Preserves tile but adds $500ā$1,500 per section. Used when in-slab routing is unavoidable.
ā¢ Open slab (traditional): Jackhammer through concrete, replace pipes, patch concrete, restore flooring. The most complete solution but most expensive. Required for cast iron drains embedded in slab.
Post-tension slabs: Some FL homes (especially 1980sā1990s) have post-tension concrete slabs with embedded steel cables under pressure. Cutting a post-tension slab is extremely dangerous and can structurally compromise the home. Always verify slab type before any jackhammering ā we check every job.
| County | Permit Fee (est.) | Inspection Required | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Miami-Dade | $250ā$700 | Yes (3-stage) | Strictest inspection process |
| Broward | $175ā$500 | Yes (2-stage) | City varies by municipality |
| Palm Beach | $175ā$450 | Yes | Unincorporated vs. city differs |
| Hillsborough | $150ā$400 | Yes | City of Tampa has own process |
| Pinellas | $125ā$350 | Yes | Clearwater, St. Pete differ |
| Orange | $150ā$425 | Yes | Orlando: separate process |
| Duval | $125ā$325 | Yes | Jacksonville: streamlined |
| Other FL | $100ā$350 | Yes | Varies by county/city |
1. Free on-site inspection: We inspect current pipe material, slab type, and map the full supply system before quoting. No surprises.
2. Permit pulled upfront: FL permit pulled before work starts. We handle all permit paperwork and inspection scheduling.
3. Minimize disruption: We use PEX overhead rerouting wherever possible to reduce concrete cutting and floor damage.
4. Complete in 1ā3 days: Most FL homes (1,500ā2,500 sq ft) completed in 1ā2 days. Water off 4ā8 hours per day during work.
5. Final inspection: County inspection and pressure test before job is closed out. You receive the permit card and inspection report.
Built for Florida homes - accounting for Florida's hard water and county permitting.
Serving Palm Beach County & Florida - get matched with a licensed plumber
On this page, Florida repiping estimates run about $18,000-$28,000, depending on home size, materials, and project scope. Use the calculator above for a Florida-specific estimate.
Pricing depends on the size and layout of your home, the pipe materials and fixtures you choose, your Florida region and local labor rates, and permit fees. Work that is more complex or harder to access generally costs more.
In Florida, minor maintenance may be DIY, but anything beyond that generally calls for a licensed plumber, and many jobs require a permit and inspection. When a permit, gas work, or your main water or drain lines are involved, hire a Florida-licensed plumber.
It depends on the cause and your specific policy. Sudden, accidental damage is more often covered than gradual wear-and-tear or maintenance - confirm the details with your insurer.
Timelines depend on scope - many routine jobs take a few hours to a day, while larger projects run longer. Your licensed plumber can confirm after assessing your home.
Planning estimate, not a quote — confirm with a licensed Florida plumber. Confidence is qualitative: ranges reflect this page’s Florida assumptions, not a guaranteed price.
Estimates on this page are Florida-specific and reflect Repiping Cost for typical Florida homes.
From this page: On this page, Florida repiping estimates run about $18,000-$28,000, depending on home size, materials, and project scope. Use the calculator above for a Florida-specific estimate.
Your actual cost depends on your home's condition, layout, and local labor and permit rates.
From this page: Pricing depends on the size and layout of your home, the pipe materials and fixtures you choose, your Florida region and local labor rates, and permit fees. Work that is more complex or harder to access generally costs more.
Generally raises cost: harder access, older homes, added permits and inspections, premium fixtures or materials, and emergency or after-hours work.
Generally lowers cost: easy access, bundling several items in one visit, standard fixtures, and off-peak scheduling.
Curated Florida tools and resources related to this page.
Last reviewed: July 1, 2026 (US Eastern)
Reviewed by the FL Plumbing Tools editorial team.
Sources: Florida plumbing cost research and Florida Building Code / local authority-having-jurisdiction (AHJ) permit references.
Florida reference: Estimates and guidance reflect Florida labor rates, permitting, hard water, humidity, and coastal conditions.
Updates: Reviewed periodically and updated as Florida codes, permit fees, and market rates change.