If your home has old, corroded, or leaking pipes, you may be considering a whole house repipe. And this goes double for mobile homes. But when it comes to choosing between PEX vs. copper—the only two truly viable options available today—how do you know which material is best? Both PEX repipe solutions and copper repipe solutions offer durability and improved water flow, but they differ in cost, flexibility, installation time, and long-term performance. In this repipe blog, we’ll cover:
- ✅ The benefits of PEX vs. copper repiping
- ✅ Whole house repipe cost estimates
- ✅ Which material lasts longer and requires less maintenance
- ✅ How to find the best repipe specialists
Rest assured, this guide will help you decide whether PEX or copper is the best choice for your home repipe.
PEX vs. Copper: Which is Better for a Whole House Repipe?
Both PEX and copper are commonly used for repiping a house, but they have distinct advantages and disadvantages. It’s easiest to break these down in a visible table:
| Feature | PEX Repipe | Copper Repipe |
| Lifespan | 40-50 years | 50-70 years |
| Cost | Lower PEX repipe cost | Higher copper repipe cost |
| Flexibility | ✅ Yes: bends easily | ❌ No: rigid, requires more fittings |
| Corrosion Resistance | ✅ Yes: No rust or scaling | ❌ No: Can corrode over time |
| Freeze Resistance | ✅ Yes: Expands in cold weather | ❌ No: Frozen pipes can burst |
| Installation Time | ✅ Faster (1-4 days) | ❌ Slower (3-10 days) |
| Leak Risk | ✅ Lower: Fewer fittings | ❌ Higher: More joints needed |
| Repiping Company Availability | ✅ Widely used | ✅ Widely used |
👉 PEX repipe solutions are generally faster and more affordable, while copper repipe offers long-term durability, but comes at a higher cost.
Let’s Talk on the Cost to Repipe a House with PEX or Copper
The cost to repipe house with PEX or copper repipe cost depends on four major factors, which we broke down into a chart which is more easily digestable:
- 🔹 Home size (with more pipes comes a higher cost)
- 🔹 Accessibility of pipes (concrete slab foundation vs. a raised foundation)
- 🔹 Labor costs from repiping specialists
- 🔹 Permits and inspection fees (pulled by repipe plumbers)
| Home Size | PEX Repipe Cost | Copper Repipe Cost |
| 1,000 sq. ft. | $2,500 – $5,000 | $5,000 – $8,000 |
| 1,500 – 2,000 sq. ft. | $4,000 – $10,000 | $6,000 – $15,000 |
| 2,500+ sq. ft. | $8,000 – $20,000 | $10,000 – $25,000+ |
Given the discrepancies in pricing, it’s clear PEX repipe costs are significantly lower than copper repipe costs due to both the lower material costs and faster installation times. If your home has a slab foundation, expect higher repiping house on slab costs because accessing buried pipes will require more labor.
Benefits of a PEX Repipe
Many home repipe specialists, including our team at Repiping Plumbers, recommend PEX repipe solutions because they are:
- ✔️ More affordable than copper repipe costs (by a long shot)
- ✔️ Flexible, requiring fewer joints, and fittings
- ✔️ Freeze-resistant and corrosion-proof
- ✔️ Easier to install, reducing labor costs
- ✔️ Ideal for repiping house on slab foundations
PEX is the preferred option for homeowners looking for cost-effective, durable plumbing repiping services.
Benefits of a Copper Repipe
Some homeowners still prefer copper repipe solutions because:
- ✔️ Copper pipes last longer (50-70 years)
- ✔️ They are resistant to UV light and ideal for outdoor plumbing
- ✔️ They increase your home’s resale value
- ✔️ They are made from metal, which some homeowners prefer over plastic
However, as illustrated earlier, copper repipe costs are significantly higher, and installation takes longer than a PEX repipe. It really comes down to preference of material and overall cost.
How Long Does a Whole House Repipe Take?
We can summarize how long the various home sizes will take to repipe, but for our professional Repiping Plumbers team, it’s a flat 1-2 days max across the board up to a 3-bathroom house. Homeowners will only have to worry about 48 hours of downtime maximum!
Whole House Repipe Conclusion
If you’re considering a whole house repipe, contact Repiping Plumbers today at (727) 809-6754 for a consultation! We proudly service 17 counties in Florida:
👉 Central West: Pinellas, Hillsborough, Pasco, Hernando, Citrus, Polk, Sumter, and Marion county.
👉 North East: Duval, Nassau, Baker, Union, St. Johns, Flagler, Putnam, and Bradford county.
