What is the average cost to repair a sewer line in Chicago?

Sewer line repair costs can vary widely based on several factors:

• Type of Damage – The type of damage to your sewer line is going to be the biggest determiner of cost. Minor repairs like fixing a sewer line clog or small crack are going to be less expensive than major repairs like removing a tree root infiltration or replacing a broken sewer line.
• Length – Going along with the type of damage that needs to be fixed is the extent of that damage. Repairing or replacing a shorter section of pipe is going to be less expensive than doing the same kind of work on a longer section of pipe because in addition to needing to do more work to unearth the additional pipe, there are added labor and materials costs to factor into the job as well. Sewer line replacement that’s being done to bring an old home up to current code is likely going to be the most expensive type of sewer repair work because it replaces the full line.
• Depth – A sewer line that’s buried deeper is going to take more time to access as well as more time to cover up once the repair work is done. Sewer lines that run further underground may have other things above them like landscaping, structures (sheds, barns, etc.), and even utility lines that need to be considered while doing the repair work, requiring specialized equipment to get the job done. In light of these considerations, more experienced personnel may need to be brought in to ensure the safety of the crew and the people at the property where the work is being done.
• Location – Sewer lines that run through inconvenient locations like alongside a home, through a public easement, or under a road may also require specialized equipment to access and repair safely. In neighborhoods where the homes are older, you are more likely to find sewer lines in inconvenient places, and typically these areas are harder to access with modern heavy machinery. As a result, some sewer line repair work may require manual digging and the carrying of materials in by hand instead of being able to use today’s more efficient solutions. 

The average cost of Chicago sewer line repair typically ranges from $3,000-8,000, although more extensive repairs can certainly cost more.

When sewer line replacement is needed, the average cost is going to be higher because more materials are needed to do the job, and the work will likely take longer. In Chicago sewer line replacement is typically closer to $5,000-10,000 although there are more complex situations where the fix can potentially exceed $15,000 depending on the circumstances.

Any time you are having major plumbing work done you should research your options and get multiple quotes, as time permits. When doing so, be wary of sewer line repair companies that give you a quote that far underbids their competitors because you don’t want to take any chances with your sewer line. The worst thing you can do is try to find a company to do cheap sewer line repair and then end up needing to pay someone else to come back and fix the subpar work that the first company did. Remember, paying once is always going to be cheaper in the long run than paying twice!

When you need sewer line repair in Chicago, we can help! Give us a call at 1 (800) 674-9130 today!

Additional resources:
Who Fixes Burst Pipes?
The Most Common Plumbing Emergencies
Is My Plumbing Problem an Emergency?
Understanding Sewer Line Repair Costs
Who Does 24-Hr Emergency Plumbing?
Average Rates for 24 Hour Plumbing
Cost to Fix a Cracked Sewer Line
Chicago Area Emergency Plumbing Companies
After Hours Plumbing Repair Pricing
Understanding Urgent Plumbing Problems
How Fast Does a Broken Pipe Need to be Fixed?
List of Pipe Repair Companies Near Me
The Best Local Plumbers for Pipe Repair
Burst Pipe Repair Costs
Pricing for Pipe Repair Work for Under a Home
Is a Broken Pipe Covered with Insurance?
Who does Sewer Pipe Repair Locally?
Is My Sewer Line Broken?