Sump pump replacement costReplacing a pump vs. installing a new one
Replacing a sump pump typically costs $350 to $1,000, including materials and labor, according to This Old House. Installing a new sump pump where there wasn't one averages $1,400, with most homeowners paying between $500 and $4,000, because it can mean cutting a new pit through the concrete floor.
How much does it cost to replace a sump pump?
Swapping an old pump for a new one in the existing pit typically costs $350 to $1,000, including materials and labor (This Old House). Fixr.com gives the same range: replacement is between $350 and $1,000. The price goes up if the new pump is bigger than the old one and the pit has to be enlarged, or if the discharge pipe or check valve also needs replacing.
How much does a new sump pump installation cost?
A new installation, where the house has no pit yet, costs more:
- This Old House: the average cost is $1,400, with most homeowners paying between $500 and $4,000.
- Fixr.com: sump pump costs range from $800 to $2,000, with a national average of $1,400. Its low-cost example is $500, a new pedestal pump in an existing pit with minimal labor; its high-cost example is $4,000, a new pit with two pumps.
- Drilling through a concrete foundation will likely cost $2,500 to $5,000 (This Old House).
What does each type of sump pump cost?
These are prices for the pump itself, before labor.
| Pump type | Unit cost | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Pedestal | $80–$800 | This Old House; Fixr.com |
| Submersible | $90–$1,000 | This Old House; Fixr.com |
| Combination (main pump plus backup) | $500–$1,500 | This Old House; Fixr.com |
| Water-powered backup | $200–$900 | This Old House; Fixr.com |
| Battery backup | $150–$250 (battery only, This Old House); $150–$2,000 (battery backup pump, Fixr.com) | This Old House; Fixr.com |
Labor for installing a sump pump and drainage pipes ranges from $300 to $4,000 (This Old House; Fixr.com). Fixr.com says plumbers typically charge $75 to $150 per hour.
Submersible or pedestal: which should I get?
A submersible pump sits under water in the pit. It is quieter and handles more water, but it wears out sooner: Fixr.com puts its life at about 5 to 15 years, and This Old House says submersible pumps must be replaced every five to 15 years. A pedestal pump keeps its motor above the pit. It is louder but easier to service and lasts longer: about 15 to 30 years (Fixr.com), or up to 30 years when properly maintained (This Old House).
Do I need a backup sump pump?
The main pump stops when the power goes out, which is often during the storms when it is needed most. A battery backup pump or a water-powered backup keeps water moving if the main pump or the power fails. Water-powered backups run on city water pressure, so they do not work with a private well. Backup pump prices are in the table above.
Should I repair or replace my sump pump?
Fixr.com says sump pump repair costs range from $150 to $500, with a national average of $300, and a float switch fix costs $75 to $125. If a repair costs close to what a new pump would, or the pump is near the end of its life, replacing it usually makes more sense.
Signs a pump needs replacing, according to This Old House: it runs constantly, it cycles on and off often, it makes unusual noises or vibrates, it shows visible rust or corrosion, or there is water inside the motor housing.
Is a sump pump enough to keep my basement dry?
Only if water reaches the pit. A sump pump removes water that collects in the pit; it does not stop water coming through walls or cracks. Many waterproofing jobs pair a pump with an interior drain around the edge of the floor. See the basement waterproofing cost guide and the wet basement guide for the full set of fixes.
Related cost guides
- How much does basement waterproofing cost?
- Wet basement: causes, fixes and what each fix costs
- How much does crawl space encapsulation cost?
- Radon mitigation cost: what a radon system costs to install and run
Common questions
How much does it cost to replace a sump pump?
Sump pump replacement typically costs $350 to $1,000, including materials and labor, according to This Old House. Fixr.com gives the same range.
How much does it cost to put in a new sump pump?
The average is $1,400 (This Old House and Fixr.com). This Old House says most homeowners pay $500 to $4,000; drilling through a concrete floor for a new pit will likely cost $2,500 to $5,000.
How long does a sump pump last?
Submersible pumps last about 5 to 15 years and pedestal pumps about 15 to 30 years, according to Fixr.com.
How much does a battery backup sump pump cost?
Fixr.com puts a battery backup pump at $150 to $2,000 for the unit. This Old House lists a backup battery alone at $150 to $250. Labor is extra.
How much does sump pump repair cost?
Fixr.com says sump pump repair costs range from $150 to $500, with a national average of $300.
What are signs a sump pump needs replacing?
It runs constantly, cycles on and off often, makes unusual noises or vibrations, shows rust or corrosion, or has water inside the motor housing (This Old House).
Sources
- This Old House, Sump Pump Cost (page updated Mar 11, 2026) — thisoldhouse.com, checked Nov 3, 2026
- Fixr.com, Cost to Install a Sump Pump (page updated Jan 31, 2025) — fixr.com, checked Nov 3, 2026
- Fixr.com, Sump Pump Repair Cost, headline range and float switch line (page updated Jan 31, 2025) — fixr.com, checked Nov 3, 2026
8 questions to ask any basement or foundation contractor
Ask these before you sign, whoever you hire.