Plumbing Costs & Price Guide For Chicago’s North Shore

Plumber Service Call & Diagnostic Costs

How much does it cost to have a plumber come to my house?

The cost of a plumbing service call depends on the type of problem, diagnostic work required and whether repairs can be completed during the same visit.

Typical diagnostic or service visit: Approximately $150–$300+

More involved diagnostics involving sewer cameras, leak investigation, specialty equipment or system troubleshooting may cost more.

Emergency, after-hours, weekend and holiday service may include additional charges.

Drain Cleaning Costs

How much does it cost to unclog a sink, bathtub or shower drain?

Typical drain cleaning cost: $300–$550

The price depends on the location of the blockage, available cleanouts, piping configuration and how difficult the obstruction is to remove.

Why does drain cleaning pricing vary?

A simple blockage near a fixture can often be cleared relatively quickly. Blockages located farther down a branch line, inside old cast iron piping or in difficult-to-access areas may require additional equipment and time.

Water Pipe, Leak & Valve Repair Costs

How much does an accessible pipe leak repair cost?

Typical cost: $350–$750

How much does it cost to repair a leaking pipe behind a wall?

Typical plumbing repair: $750–$1,500+

Drywall, plaster, tile, cabinets and other finish repairs may be separate from the plumbing work.

How much does it cost to replace the main water shutoff valve?

Typical cost: $650–$1,200

How much does a water pressure regulator cost to replace?

Typical pressure reducing valve replacement: $650–$1,200

How much does house repiping cost?

Pricing: On-site estimate required

Whole-house repiping depends on home size, number of fixtures, pipe material, access and the amount of finished-wall work involved.

How much does an underground water service repair cost?

Pricing: On-site estimate required

Water service repairs and replacements can vary substantially depending on pipe length, depth, excavation, landscaping, pavement and municipal requirements.

Faucet, Sink & Plumbing Fixture Costs

How much does it cost to install a kitchen faucet?

Typical customer-supplied kitchen faucet installation: $425–$700

Pricing depends on accessibility beneath the sink, condition of the shutoff valves and whether existing piping requires modification.

How much does it cost to install a bathroom faucet?

Typical bathroom faucet installation: $375–$650

Widespread faucets and more complicated installations commonly cost approximately $450–$750.

How much does a faucet repair cost?

Typical faucet or cartridge repair: $250–$500

How much does it cost to replace a shutoff valve?

Typical accessible shutoff valve replacement: $225–$375 each

How much does it cost to replace an outdoor hose bib or sillcock?

Typical cost: $450–$800

Finished walls, difficult crawl-space access or inaccessible piping can increase the cost.

How much does it cost to install a garbage disposal?

Typical garbage disposal replacement: $450–$750

Drain piping modifications, electrical repairs or sink modifications may add to the installation cost.

Toilet Installation & Repair Costs

How much does it cost to replace a toilet?

A typical professional toilet replacement on Chicago’s North Shore costs approximately $650–$1,050 when HT Strenger supplies a standard-quality toilet.

Typical toilet replacement: $650–$1,050

The final price depends on the toilet selected, condition of the existing flange, shutoff valve, supply line and accessibility.

How much does it cost to install a customer-supplied toilet?

Typical cost: $425–$650

This generally assumes the existing flange and piping are in usable condition and no floor or drain repairs are required.

How much does it cost to repair a toilet?

Typical minor toilet repair: $225–$425

Common repairs include flappers, fill valves, flush valves and other standard internal components.

How much does it cost to reset a leaking toilet?

Typical toilet reset: $350–$550

If the toilet flange is damaged or the piping underneath requires repair, additional work may be necessary.

How much does it cost to unclog a toilet?

Typical cost: $250–$450

A recurring toilet blockage may indicate a larger drain or sewer problem and may require additional drain cleaning or camera inspection.

Sump Pump & Battery Backup Costs

How much does it cost to replace a sump pump?

A typical professionally installed standard sump pump replacement on Chicago’s North Shore costs approximately $650–$1,050.

Typical standard sump pump replacement: $650–$1,050

This generally assumes the existing sump pit, electrical outlet and discharge system are functional and suitable for reuse.

Replacing discharge piping, check valves, electrical components or making major changes to the sump system may increase the cost.

How much does a premium sump pump replacement cost?

Typical premium sump pump replacement: $850–$1,400

How much does a battery backup sump pump cost?

Typical installed battery backup system: $1,500–$3,000

Battery configuration, controller, pump capacity and modifications to the existing sump piping can affect cost.

How much does a complete primary and battery backup sump system cost?

Typical complete system: $2,200–$4,000

How much does sump pump discharge piping cost to replace?

Typical discharge piping modification: $750–$2,500+

Long exterior runs, underground piping, larger pipe sizes and connections to storm systems require individual evaluation.

Water Heater Replacement Costs

How much does a 40-gallon gas water heater cost to replace?

Typical installed cost: $2,000–$2,800

How much does a 50-gallon gas water heater cost to replace?

A typical 50-gallon gas water heater replacement on Chicago’s North Shore costs approximately $2,200–$3,200.

Typical installed cost: $2,200–$3,200

Pricing depends on the water heater selected, venting, gas piping, expansion tank requirements, accessibility and code-related upgrades.

How much does a 75-gallon gas water heater cost?

Typical installed cost: $3,200–$4,500

How much does an electric water heater replacement cost?

Typical installed cost: $1,800–$3,000

How much does a water heater repair cost?

Typical repair: $300–$850+

The cost depends on the component that has failed and the make, model and age of the water heater.

How much does an expansion tank replacement cost?

Typical installed cost: $450–$750

Tankless Water Heater Costs

How much does it cost to replace an existing tankless water heater?

Typical tankless replacement: $4,500–$7,500+

How much does it cost to convert from a tank water heater to tankless?

Typical tank-to-tankless conversion: $6,000–$10,000+

Conversion cost depends heavily on gas supply, venting, electrical requirements, condensate disposal and the location of the new heater.

How much does tankless water heater maintenance cost?

Typical descaling/service: $350–$600

Septic, E/One Grinder Pump & Specialty Sewer Costs

How much does an E/One grinder pump replacement cost?

Pricing: System-specific estimate required

Grinder pump pricing depends on the existing station, pump model, electrical controls, alarm system, discharge piping and site conditions.

How much does septic system repair cost?

Pricing: On-site estimate required

Septic repairs vary widely depending on whether the issue involves the building sewer, tank, pump, controls, force main or disposal system.

How much does an overhead sewer conversion cost?

Pricing: On-site estimate required

Overhead sewer and flood-control projects require individual evaluation because basement layout, sewer depth, fixture locations and excavation requirements vary significantly.

Water Treatment & Water Filtration Costs

How much does a whole-house water filter cost?

Typical installed system: $1,500–$3,500+

How much does a water softener cost?

Typical installed water softener: $2,000–$4,500+

The correct system depends on household water usage, water quality, hardness and the plumbing configuration.

How much does an under-sink reverse osmosis system cost?

Typical installed cost: $750–$1,800

How much does a smart automatic water shutoff cost?

Typical installed system: $1,200–$2,500+

Sewer Rodding, Jetting & Sewer Repair Costs

How much does main sewer rodding cost?

Main sewer rodding on Chicago’s North Shore typically costs approximately $450–$850.

Typical main sewer rodding: $450–$850

Cost can vary depending on cleanout access, sewer length, root intrusion, blockage severity and the equipment required.

How much does a sewer camera inspection cost?

Typical sewer camera inspection: $350–$650

A sewer camera allows a plumber to evaluate the condition of the sewer and identify problems such as roots, cracks, separated joints, scale buildup, offsets and damaged pipe.

How much does sewer rodding with a camera inspection cost?

Typical combined service: $650–$1,050

How much does sewer jetting cost?

Typical high-pressure sewer jetting: $750–$1,500+

Jetting may be recommended when grease, sludge, scale, roots or other buildup cannot be adequately removed by conventional sewer rodding.

How much does cast iron sewer descaling cost?

Typical sewer descaling: $1,500–$3,500+

Descaling removes heavy internal buildup from older cast iron drainage piping. Pricing depends heavily on pipe length, access and pipe condition.

How much does it cost to locate a sewer line?

Typical sewer camera locating service: $300–$600

How much does it cost to install an exterior sewer cleanout?

Typical exterior cleanout installation: $2,500–$5,500+

Depth, landscaping, pavement, existing pipe material and excavation conditions can significantly affect the final cost.

How much does a sewer repair cost?

Typical localized excavated sewer repair: $3,500–$8,500+

Sewer repair costs vary significantly based on sewer depth, pipe material, repair length, excavation conditions, utility conflicts, pavement, sidewalks and municipal requirements.

How much does a complete sewer replacement cost?

Pricing: On-site estimate required

Complete sewer replacements are evaluated individually because there can be major differences in depth, length, access, pipe material and surface restoration.

Sewage Ejector Pump Costs

How much does it cost to replace a sewage ejector pump?

Typical residential ejector pump replacement: $1,200–$2,500

Final pricing depends on pump size, pit condition, check valve, piping, electrical controls and accessibility.

How much does a duplex ejector or lift station pump cost?

Pricing: On-site estimate required

Duplex systems, commercial lift stations, control panels, guide rails, floats and specialty pumps require system-specific pricing.

RPZ & Backflow Preventer Costs

How much does an RPZ test cost?

Typical RPZ testing and certification: $200–$350

Additional municipal filing, device repair or certification requirements may affect the total cost.

How much does it cost to replace an RPZ backflow preventer?

Typical residential replacement: $750–$1,500+

How much does a new RPZ installation cost?

Typical installation: $1,200–$2,500+

Larger commercial devices and complex installations require an individual estimate.

Natural Gas Piping Costs

How much does it cost to connect a gas appliance?

Typical gas appliance connection: $350–$650

How much does it cost to replace a gas valve?

Typical gas valve replacement: $300–$550

How much does it cost to extend a gas line?

Typical smaller gas piping project: $750–$2,500+

Gas line pricing depends on pipe size, appliance BTU demand, length, material, accessibility and whether the piping is indoors or underground.

How much does an underground gas line cost?

Pricing: On-site estimate required

Underground gas piping projects may involve excavation, polyethylene gas pipe, tracer wire, sleeving, pavement removal and permits.

Commercial Plumbing Costs

How much does commercial plumbing service cost?

Commercial plumbing work is typically priced according to the specific equipment, piping, access and work required.

Commercial plumbing: Project-specific estimate

HT Strenger provides commercial plumbing, sewer and drain service, pumping-system work, backflow service, water heaters and other specialty plumbing services throughout the North Shore and surrounding Northern Illinois communities.