Hey folks! I'm trying to wrap my head around the costs associated with replacing a 40-foot sewer line in my basement here in the Chicago suburbs. The line is in pretty rough shape with two bellies and barely any pitch, leading to backups. I'm replacing it from cast iron to PVC which means contractors will need to break up concrete, excavate, remove the old pipe, and install the new PVC with the right pitch. They'll also reconnect the kitchen and bathroom branches in the in-law suite without replacing those. I've received four quotes so far and they're all over the map. Here's the breakdown:
- Quote 1: $20,000 (includes the full job, but I got a weird vibe from the contractor who only took it because he 'likes us')
- Quote 2: $17,000 (firm price, a big company with solid reviews and a 1-2 year warranty)
- Quote 3: $14,900–$16,900 (prices change until the work starts; they're a local company with good reviews, but I'm unsure about the final cost)
- Quote 4: $9,890 (detailed estimate showing $9,590 for the actual work, plus a $300 permit; they include some extras and offer a 5-year warranty, but they're a smaller company)
Honestly, that $9,890 feels suspiciously low (especially with all the concrete work involved), while $20k seems excessive. I've seen everything from $8k to $35k as estimates on other threads, so I'm looking for clarification on what's reasonable here in the Midwest. Any advice would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!
3 Answers
I had a similar job done in the Atlanta suburbs and it cost me around $19k. That included replacing some other cast iron pipes and adding clean-outs, but they didn't touch the concrete. My old concrete was super thick, which raised the price due to the need for specialized cutting. If your setup isn’t as complicated with the bends, then you might be on the right track with the lower quotes. Definitely weigh the competitiveness of the quotes you’ve received!
Those prices sound reasonable, especially for a higher cost of living area. I got quoted similar prices in Detroit, and it wasn’t a surprise considering how much things cost around here. If you don’t mind sharing, what was your final cost?
I’m still figuring it out! Just trying to see what others have experienced.
I had a 35-foot line replaced in the SF Bay Area for about $10k six years back. So while it seems $20k is pretty steep, maybe the basement factor brings in additional challenges. That's something to keep in mind, but it's tough to imagine a basement making it double the cost!
Thanks for sharing that! Ours has a couple of bends, so I guess it shouldn’t be too tricky, right?