FL Whole-House Repiping Cost
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 Repiping Price Reference (2024-2025)
| Home Size | PEX | Copper | CPVC |
|---|---|---|---|
| < 1,000 sq ft | $2,800-$4,500 | $6,000-$9,000 | $3,200-$5,000 |
| 1,000-1,500 sq ft | $3,500-$6,000 | $7,500-$12,000 | $4,200-$7,000 |
| 1,500-2,000 sq ft | $4,500-$8,000 | $9,500-$15,000 | $5,500-$9,500 |
| 2,000-2,500 sq ft | $5,500-$10,000 | $12,000-$19,000 | $7,000-$12,000 |
| 2,500-3,000 sq ft | $7,000-$13,000 | $15,000-$23,000 | $9,000-$15,000 |
| 3,000+ sq ft | $9,000-$16,000 | $18,000-$28,000 | $11,000-$18,000 |
Slab premium: FL concrete slab homes add 40-120% to the above estimates due to jackhammering, concrete cutting, and floor restoration. Most FL homes are on slab.
PEX (Cross-Linked Polyethylene) - Best for FL Slabs
PEX-A (Most Flexible - Uponor, Rehau) $2-$4.50/ft installed - Best choice for FL slab homes. Maximum flexibility means fewer fittings and less jackhammering - pipes can be routed through walls and under slabs with small access holes. 25-year warranty, resistant to freezing. PEX-A expands and recovers, making it the most reliable variant. (Slab-friendly, freeze-resistant, lowest total cost, chloramine-safe, UV-sensitive so must be covered.)
PEX-B (Stiffer - Viega, Watts) $1.80-$4.00/ft installed - Slightly stiffer than PEX-A but still flexible. Uses crimp or clamp fittings. Widely available. Good choice for FL homes where cost is primary concern. Slightly less flexible - may require more access points in complex slab routing.
FL recommendation: PEX is the preferred material for Florida slab homes. Its flexibility drastically reduces concrete cutting and jackhammering costs - often the difference between a $6,000 and $12,000 repipe job.
Type L Copper - Traditional Choice
Type L Copper (Standard Wall) $4.50-$9.00/ft installed - The traditional standard for FL plumbing. Proven 50-70 year lifespan when water chemistry is compatible. Fully recyclable, no plastic off-gassing concerns. Still preferred for high-end construction. (50-70 yr lifespan, recyclable value, proven track record, but expensive with pinhole risk in acidic water.)
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 15-25 years - significantly shorter than the 50-70 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.
CPVC - Caution in FL Chloramine Areas
CPVC (Chlorinated PVC) $2.50-$5.00/ft installed - Mid-range option. Cheaper than copper, easier to work with than PEX in some configurations. However, CPVC has a documented degradation issue in FL: chloramine in utility water attacks the plasticizers in CPVC, causing it to become brittle and crack - often within 10-15 years in chloramine service areas.
FL CPVC warning: If your utility uses chloramine (Miami-Dade, Broward, Tampa area, Palm Beach County), CPVC is not recommended. Class action lawsuits have been filed against CPVC manufacturers in FL. Plumbers in these counties now typically refuse to install CPVC in residential settings.
FL Material Comparison Matrix
| Factor | PEX | Copper | CPVC |
|---|---|---|---|
| Material cost/ft | $0.50-$1.50 | $2.00-$4.50 | $0.50-$1.25 |
| Installed cost/ft | $2-$4.50 | $4.50-$9 | $2.50-$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 | 40-50 yrs | 25-50 yrs* | 10-25 yrs* |
| FL slab home choice | Best | Good | Caution |
*Shorter lifespan in chloramine service areas (Miami-Dade, Broward, Tampa, Palm Beach County utilities)
FL Problem Pipes - Do You Have These?
Polybutylene (gray or blue, 1978-1995) - Must replace immediately. Polybutylene (Quest, Vanguard, Shell) was installed in millions of FL homes and mobile homes. Class action settlement (Cox v. Shell) funded replacements but the fund is exhausted. These pipes fail suddenly - catastrophic leaks with no warning. Very common in FL homes built 1978-1995. Identified by gray or blue plastic pipe, stamped "PB2110" or "Quest." Often found at the water meter connection and under sinks.
Galvanized Steel (pre-1970) - Replace when symptoms appear. Zinc coating corrodes from inside out in FL's mineral-rich water. Signs: rust-colored water, severely reduced pressure, brown staining on fixtures. Common in pre-1960s FL homes. Identified by gray/silver metallic pipe that shows rust streaks at joints, threaded fittings, often with white mineral buildup.
Lead Pipe / Lead Solder (pre-1986) - Health hazard, replace immediately. Lead pipes are rare but lead solder was used with copper until banned in 1986. FL water utilities are required to test for lead. If your FL home was built before 1986, request a lead test. Identified by dull gray, very soft pipe (scratches with a key). Lead test kits available at hardware stores.
CPVC in Chloramine Areas (2000-2015 homes) - Inspect and plan replacement. CPVC installed in Miami-Dade, Broward, Tampa, and Palm Beach County homes during the 2000s is at risk of chloramine-induced brittle cracking. Hairline cracks first appear at joints and fittings. Identified by cream/off-white or light gray plastic pipe stamped "CPVC" or "FlowGuard Gold."
Cast Iron Drain Lines (50+ year old homes) - Plan for drain repipe too. Many FL homes that need supply repiping also have deteriorating cast iron drain lines. Repipe supply and drain lines at the same time to minimize drywall opening costs. Identified by heavy, dark gray/black pipe in floor or walls, typically 2"-4" diameter.
FL Slab Repiping: The Big Cost Factor
Why FL slabs cost more: Over 70% of Florida homes are built on concrete slab foundations - the opposite of northern states. Any pipe embedded in the slab requires jackhammering concrete, which dramatically increases repiping costs and creates restoration work.
Slab repipe strategies:
- 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.
- Tunnel under slab: Dig under the slab perimeter to access pipes without breaking the floor. Preserves tile but adds $500-$1,500 per section.
- Open slab (traditional): Jackhammer through concrete, replace pipes, patch concrete, restore flooring. The most complete but most expensive. Required for cast iron drains embedded in slab.
Post-tension slabs: Some FL homes (especially 1980s-1990s) 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.
FL County Permit Requirements
| County | Permit Fee (est.) | Inspection Required | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Miami-Dade | $250-$700 | Yes (3-stage) | Strictest inspection process |
| Broward | $175-$500 | Yes (2-stage) | City varies by municipality |
| Palm Beach | $175-$450 | Yes | Unincorporated vs. city differs |
| Hillsborough | $150-$400 | Yes | City of Tampa has own process |
| Pinellas | $125-$350 | Yes | Clearwater, St. Pete differ |
| Orange | $150-$425 | Yes | Orlando: separate process |
| Duval | $125-$325 | Yes | Jacksonville: streamlined |
| Other FL | $100-$350 | Yes | Varies by county/city |
Permit is required by FL law. Unpermitted repiping work in FL creates serious problems at resale - title companies and home inspectors will flag it.
Our Repiping Process
- Free on-site inspection: We inspect current pipe material, slab type, and map the full supply system before quoting.
- Permit pulled upfront: FL permit pulled before work starts.
- Minimize disruption: We use PEX overhead rerouting wherever possible to reduce concrete cutting and floor damage.
- Complete in 1-3 days: Most FL homes (1,500-2,500 sq ft) completed in 1-2 days. Water off 4-8 hours per day during work.
- Final inspection: County inspection and pressure test before job is closed out.