How much does plumbing excavation cost? can range from several thousand dollars, depending on the scope of work, which can involve digging and replacing pipes, followed by backfilling. A great beginning is provided by HomeGuide, which estimates the cost of residential sewer line replacement at $2,000 to $10,000 for 40 feet of sewer line or $50 to $250 per linear foot. The figures are for replacement, and not for excavation. The cost you can expect for your property will depend upon the things that require repair as well as the ability to access the property and the equipment of the crew.
HomeGuide reports that basic trench digging costs range widely between $5 and $12 per linear foot. This should be considered as the total budget for repairing a buried pipe and should not be used as that. Does not cover all plumbing and/or all challenging excavations.
These are planning references for homeowners in Barnegat and Ocean County. These are not the prices of Crest Plumbing. A property-specific estimate should take in consideration the location of the pipe, access, scope of repair and surfaces that will be affected from the pipe repair.
What are you paying for?
Plumbing excavation involves the process of digging up the ground to access the underground plumbing. The excavation could reveal a compromised area to repair, or access for a longer replacement.
When preparing your estimate, ask what the word “excavation” contains? For one contractor it could be for digging and equipment alone. Another would be the removal of the excavated material, addition of appropriate fill and closure of the trench.
Pipe work is another aspect of the work. It is necessary to mention the key steps of the work: cutting the damaged part, ordering new pipes, connecting and testing the finished sections.
However, a low excavation value doesn’t mean much if those other tasks aren’t costly. To compare totals, decide on the beginning and ending points for each contractor’s work.
Published cost ranges and what they mean
| Work being priced | Published planning range | How to use the figure |
| Basic trench digging | 5–12 per linear foot | A general digging reference, not a complete underground repair budget |
| Residential sewer line replacement | 50–250 per linear foot | A broad replacement range that varies with project conditions |
| A 40-foot sewer line replacement | 2,000–10,000 | An example based on the replacement range above |
The data is taken from the trenching and sewer replacement guides from HomeGuide. Do not just sum them up as they are different ways of characterizing work. Excavation may be covered in an installed replacement quote. Check what is included in the package first.
There should be an estimate for a short repair as well. Equipment delivery and crew set-up will still take time even if only a small section of pipe is required to be addressed. That’s what can happen if just a few are multiplied times a national rate.
Why depth and access change the price
The deeper the line the more soil that has to be removed and regulated by the crew. Access is important too. Equipment may be easily brought into an open front yard, or limited by the equipment and space available if it is a narrow side passage.
Surface area is an important factor too. Access below the grass line is a different task than opening a concrete driveway or patio. Creating a hole in the surface and filling it in after separate tasks.
Mattioni, a plumbing contractor, says three key factors in the cost of sewer replacement are depth, length and access. It also outlines that underground work under an existing street could include traffic control and re-paving. This is the reason that two similar pipelines of equal length can have vastly different estimates.
Ask the contractor to explain how it will be accessed for a quote. Is there any equipment that will pass over the lawn? Should the fence section be taken away? Where will the soil excavated from the pipe be taken during excavation? The information assists you in understanding what’s contained in the cost.
Get the problem identified before approving excavation
Prior to accepting any permission to dig, find out what the inspection determined. It is important to be aware of the type of pipe that is affected, the approximate location of the damage and the reason for the proposed repairs being from above.
Crest Plumbing offers camera inspection equipment as one of the tools for diagnosis when you have a drain and sewer issue. It also offers drain pipe services for repair and replacement in Barnegat and also in Ocean County.
Request inspection results and ask the contractor to clarify these results. If it says replace a whole length, ask why it would be better to do a shorter repair. Where this is not possible to determine the condition of the line completely, the estimate should state why.
It is also the time to distinguish between proven work and potential additional work. After the pipe is uncovered, a contractor might have to adjust the extent of the job. Before doing more work, ask and get their answer before how she will receive and agree to that revision.
Surface restoration deserves its own discussion
When making the decision to dig, inquire about the findings of the examination. The layout, meaning of the pipe that is affected should be known, the suspected location of the damage and why access from above is needed for the proposed repair.
Diagnostic tools provided by Crest Plumbing for drain and sewer issues include camera equipment. It also offers drain pipe repair and replacement in Barnegat and in Ocean County.
Request contractor to show you the inspection results and to explain them to you. If the suggestion is to replace a whole length, ask why that is because there is a smaller repair that will suffice. Where the inspection did not provide a definitive picture of the line, a statement of the uncertainty should be included in the estimate.
Also, this is when it’s time to divide confirmed work from potential extra work. Once the pipe has been exposed, a contractor might have to adjust the scope. Inquire how they will receive the sample and that revision before any more work is done.
Could a trenchless method reduce the cost?
If any surface disruption would cost a lot, it’s a good idea to talk about a trenchless solution. Even with the appropriate project, it still needs an evaluation of the current pipe.
According to EPA, pipe bursting is a technique which involves rupturing the existing pipe while simultaneously installing a new pipe. Can lower surface excavation needs, but access and reconnections still may need to be done with excavation. The local utility and soil characteristics also influence the suitability of a method.
Elicit from the contractor if there is an alternative method to your situation and then compare full price. Ensure access work and restoration is included in both proposals.
Don’t presume that if a method requires less digging it will be less costly. Explain what it would alter in your specific project, its repair outcome and the work that would be left behind.
Planning excavation in Barnegat and Ocean County
The utility marking should be included in the timetable. New Jersey One Call mandates a minimum of three business days’ prior notification to the excavator if the excavation is to be done for routine work, not to include weekends or holidays.
Ask your contractor who will arrange the mark out and let you know when it is ready, before you commence work. Then, ask each separately whether any permits or inspections would be needed for the job and if so, whether the cost of those permits and inspections is included in the estimate.
Don’t expect one town to be able to meet the needs of all other towns. If the work is to be performed on a sidewalk or roadway, have the contractor verify the needs of your property and the type of work he/she proposes.
How to compare excavation estimates
Ask written quotations for the identical repair work. Otherwise, the lower total could just be completed with less work.
Find a thorough explanation of the section of pipe, the repair process, and the restoration that will be performed. Whether there is a set fee for that scope, or if there are parts of the cost which are contingent upon time, volume or conditions which may be uncovered during excavation.
It’s also worth keeping an eye on when the payments are due. It is important to be aware of the due dates of payments and what each payment is for. Request warranties on paper with coverage details of parts.
When a proposal includes an allowance, ask about what will happen if costs go over the allowance. If you’re excluding a certain contractor, determine if you’ll need to find another one.
Maintain inspection report, estimate and approve changes in place. This allows you to ensure that the end billing reflects the work you authorised.
Request an estimate for your underground plumbing repair
Crest Plumbing provides drain pipe installation and replacement for residential and commercial properties in Barnegat and across Ocean County. Its website also lists excavation equipment and free estimates.
Call (877) 939-2122 to discuss the problem and request an estimate. Explain what you have noticed, whether the line has already been inspected, and what lies above the suspected repair area. Ask for a proposal that identifies the excavation, plumbing work, and restoration costs so you can budget for the complete job.
