In Washington County, Oregon, a whole-house repipe typically costs between $4,500 and $15,000, with most homeowners paying $6,000-$9,000 for a standard single-family home. The final price depends primarily on your home's size, the pipe material you choose (PEX or copper), and how accessible your existing plumbing is. Factors like the number of bathrooms, stories, and whether you need drywall repair all significantly impact the total investment.
What We See in Washington County Homes
After servicing hundreds of homes throughout Tigard, Beaverton, Hillsboro, and surrounding areas, we've found that most repipe projects fall into predictable price ranges. A typical 1,500 square foot ranch-style home with two bathrooms usually runs between $6,000 and $8,500 when we use PEX piping. Two-story homes in the 2,000-2,500 square foot range typically cost $8,500-$12,000. Larger homes or those requiring copper piping can reach $15,000 or more.
The majority of homes we repipe in Washington County were built between 1950 and 1990 and still have their original galvanized steel or polybutylene pipesβboth materials known for failing after 30-50 years. If you're experiencing low water pressure, discolored water, or multiple pinhole leaks, you're likely facing the same issues we see weekly throughout the area.
PEX vs. Copper: The Cost Difference
Material choice creates the biggest price variation in whole-house repiping projects. PEX (cross-linked polyethylene) piping costs roughly 40-50% less than copper for both materials and labor. For a standard home, PEX material runs about $0.50-$1.00 per linear foot, while copper costs $2.00-$4.00 per foot. When you add labor, a PEX repipe might cost $6,500 where copper would run $11,000 for the same home.
In our experience working throughout Washington County, we install PEX in about 80% of residential repipes. It's flexible, resists corrosion, handles our occasional freezing temperatures well, and installs faster with fewer connections. Copper remains popular for homeowners who want maximum longevity or prefer traditional materials, but the cost difference is substantial.
Factors That Increase Project Costs
Several specific factors can push your repipe cost toward the higher end of the range. Multi-story homes require more labor since we're running pipes vertically through walls and potentially across attics or crawl spaces. Each additional bathroom adds roughly $800-$1,500 to the project since it requires more fixtures, connections, and pipe runs.
Wall accessibility makes a significant difference. Homes with finished basements or extensive tile work require more careful drywall removal and repair. We've worked on Lake Oswego and West Linn homes where limited crawl space access added 1-2 days of labor. Conversely, homes with unfinished basements or easily accessible crawl spaces often come in at the lower end of our estimates.
The age and condition of existing pipes also matter. If we discover unexpected issues like corroded fittings, outdated shut-off valves, or code violations during the project, addressing these adds to the scope. We always inspect thoroughly before providing estimates, but older homes sometimes reveal surprises once walls are opened.
What's Included in Our Repipe Pricing
When we quote a whole-house repipe in Washington County, our pricing includes removing old pipes, installing new supply lines to all fixtures, pressure testing the entire system, and basic drywall patching at access points. We don't include finish painting or retexturingβmost homeowners handle that separately or hire their own contractors to match existing finishes exactly.
We've repiped homes from compact Tigard bungalows to large Sherwood estates, and transparency matters. Our estimates break down material costs, labor, permits, and any anticipated drywall work. Typically, materials account for 25-35% of the total cost, with labor representing the majority. Complex jobs with difficult access or numerous fixtures shift this ratio.
When Repiping Makes Financial Sense
If you're facing repeated pipe repairs, the math often favors a complete repipe. We've seen homeowners spend $1,200-$1,800 annually on emergency leak repairs, low pressure issues, and fixture replacementsβcosts that quickly approach a full repipe over just 3-4 years. A whole-house repipe also adds resale value and eliminates the uncertainty of failing pipes.
In Washington County's competitive real estate market, homes with documented recent repipes sell faster and command better prices. Buyers appreciate knowing they won't face major plumbing expenses, and home inspectors note updated plumbing as a significant plus.
If you're experiencing plumbing issues in Tigard, Beaverton, Hillsboro, Lake Oswego, Tualatin, or Sherwood, Hydro Plumbing provides free on-site estimates for whole-house repiping throughout Washington & Yamhill Counties. We'll assess your specific situation, explain your options, and provide transparent pricing with no surprises. Call us at (971) 241-2628 to schedule your consultation with licensed local plumbers who've handled hundreds of repipes across the area.