How much does it cost to replace a sump pump?
Updated
Short answer
Testing the sump pump costs nothing: a bucket of water and 10 to 15 minutes. The cost arrives when the test fails. A plumber charges $400 to $1,200 to replace a sump pump, including the pump, and the top of that range adds a battery backup pump beside it. A pump lasts 7 to 10 years, so the replacement is a once-a-decade bill, and the free test is what keeps it from arriving as a flooded basement.
Cost breakdown
| Item | DIY | Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $0 | included |
| Tools you may need to buy | none | included |
| Labor | your time | $400 to $1,200 |
| Total | $0 | $400 to $1,200 |
The DIY column is the test, which needs a bucket and a flashlight. The pro column is a replacement, with the pump, the labor, and often a new check valve. A handy owner can replace a submersible pump for the price of the pump alone, which is the low end of the range.
What drives the cost
- The pump. A basic submersible pump is the low end. A larger pump for a pit that fills fast, or a cast iron pump built for a long life, costs more.
- A battery backup. A second pump that runs on a battery when the power fails adds most of the top of the range, and it's what keeps the basement dry in the storm that takes the power out.
- The check valve and the discharge line. A worn check valve is replaced with the pump, and a discharge line that's cracked or frozen is extra.
- Timing. A pump replaced on a dry day costs the standard rate. One replaced during a flood costs the emergency rate plus the cleanup.
- Doing it yourself. A submersible pump drops into the pit, connects to the discharge pipe and plugs in, and an owner comfortable with that saves the labor.
DIY vs. pro
The test is yours, every time, and it's the only part that matters on a schedule: how often to test a sump pump is every 3 to 6 months and before the rainy season. A pump that passes the bucket test costs nothing that month.
Replacing the pump is a moderate DIY job for someone who can work a pipe union and a hose clamp, and the saving is the labor. A plumber at $400 to $1,200 makes sense for a battery backup installation, for a pit that needs a bigger pump than the old one, or for anyone who'd rather not learn plumbing with water rising in the pit. Replace a pump that's past its 7 to 10 years on your own schedule, before a storm does it on its.
FAQ
How much does a sump pump cost?
$400 to $1,200 installed, with a basic pump at the low end and a pump plus a battery backup at the high end.
How much does it cost to test a sump pump?
Nothing. Pour a bucket of water into the pit and watch the pump start, empty it and stop.
Is a battery backup sump pump worth the cost?
If the basement floods when the power is out, yes. Storms that fill the pit also take the power, and the backup runs through it.
Can I replace a sump pump myself?
Yes, if you're comfortable disconnecting the discharge pipe and fitting the new pump to it. The saving is the labor, and the pump is the same.