Sump Pump Installation Cost

National average

$550 - $1,100

(submersible sump pump with battery back up and a filter)

Low: $200

(DIY pedestal sump pump)

High: $1,500

(higher horsepower submersible pump with many upgrades)

Cost to install a sump pump varies greatly by region (and even by zip code).
Get free estimates from plumbers in your city.

The average cost of installing a sump pump is $550 - $1,100.

In this guide

Types
Brands
Materials
Installation considerations
Battery-powered vs water powered
Labor
Enhancements
Additional Considerations
FAQ

How much does it cost to install a sump pump¹?

A sump pump¹ is a small pump² placed in a low basement or crawlspace that helps prevent flooding. Sump pumps¹ are installed in sump pits dug in the lowest level of the basement. In the case that water does get near in the pit and the sump pump¹, the pump² will kick on and pump² the water away from the building via sump pipes that either dump the water outside or back into the home’s waste water system. Sump pumps¹ can be installed in houses with underground basements or crawl spaces and are often installed in new construction houses that may or may not be at risk for flooding and water damage. Installing a sump pump¹ can be a costly process, but it can prevent flooding and water damage in the long run. The average cost of installing a new sump pump¹ is $550-$1100.

Types

There are two main types of sump pumps¹: pedestal and submersible. A pedestal pump² sets the pump² on a tall stand so that it isn’t directly in the water in the pump² pit, and then a pipe connects to the bottom of the pit and pulls the water out. On the other hand, a submersible pump² sits in waterproof casing in the water of the sump pit. When the water level rises, water comes up through the bottom of the pump² and is pulled through towards the outlet pipes³ on top. The biggest factor in choosing which kind of pump² to use is the size of your basement and the sump pit:

Type of pump² Pros Cons Lifespan Best Use Price

Pedestal

*Type of pump²*	Pros	Cons	Lifespan	Best Use	Price
Pedestal	Less expensive Last longer Easier to repair	Louder Not as effective as solids	25-30 years	Basements with a shallow or narrow sump pit	$80-$180
Submersible	Quieter Not much overheating Come in larger housepower	Expensive Harder and more expensive to repair	5-15 years	Basements with room for a large sump pit	$135-$300

Less expensive

Last longer

Easier to repair

Louder

Not as effective as solids

25-30 years

Basements with a shallow or narrow sump pit

$80-$180

Submersible

Quieter

Not much overheating

Come in larger housepower

Expensive

Harder and more expensive to repair

5-15 years

Basements with room for a large sump pit

$135-$300

Brands

Brand Pros Cons Price

Everbilt

Brand	Pros	Cons	Price
Everbilt	Durable Resists corrosion	More expensive	$228 (submersible), $78 (pedestal)
FloTec	Heavy-duty motor Corrosion resistant	Bulky	$130 (submersible)
Wayne	Less expensive Design minimizes air locks and debris Easy to install	Large	$145 (submersible), $60 (pedestal)

Durable

Resists corrosion

More expensive

$228 (submersible), $78 (pedestal)

FloTec

Heavy-duty motor

Corrosion resistant

Bulky

$130 (submersible)

Wayne

Less expensive

Design minimizes air locks and debris

Easy to install

Large

$145 (submersible), $60 (pedestal)

Materials

Sump pumps¹ also come in two main materials: plastic and cast iron.

Pump² material Pros Cons Best Use Cost

Plastic

Pump² material	Pros	Cons	Best Use	Cost
Plastic	Less expensive Used for pedestal and submersible pumps²	Doesn’t last as long Risk of cracking	Small basement with low risk of flooding	$75-$200
Cast Iron	Run at cooler temperatures	Risk of corroding Heavy	Large basement in area with high risk of flooding	$150-$300

Less expensive

Used for pedestal

and submersible pumps²

Doesn’t last as long

Risk of cracking

Small basement with

low risk of flooding

$75-$200

Cast Iron

Run at cooler temperatures

Risk of corroding

Heavy

Large basement in area

with high risk of flooding

$150-$300

Installation considerations

The type of floor for the sump pump¹ is also an important factor and can affect the labor costs. Because sump pumps¹ are installed in basements, they are often placed on dirt or gravels floors that are fairly easy to dig through and build a sump pit. However, a cement floor can take longer to dig through and increase the labor costs by one to three hours, but it does allow the sump pump¹ to have a sturdy foundation.

Battery-powered vs water powered

Sump pumps¹ can be powered by water or battery. Battery-powered pumps² are fairly self-explanatory; water-powered pumps² work when water from the input pipe pushes the flooded water through to the output pipe:

*Type of pump²*	Pros	Cons
Battery-powered	Powerful Easy to install	Shorter life span Needs to be charged or replaced more regularly
Water powered	Runs for nearly an unlimited time	Can’t be used in homes with wells Harder to install May not pump² as much water

Type of pump²

Pros

Cons

Battery-powered

Powerful

Easy to install

Shorter life span

Needs to be charged or replaced more regularly

Water powered

Runs for nearly an unlimited time

Can’t be used in homes with wells

Harder to install

May not pump² as much water

Other materials costs include a plastic sump pump¹ basin to keep the pump² clean; basic basins average $20-$30. A drain (around $200) and drainage pipes ($100-$250 on average) may also be required.

Labor

On average, plumbers charge $45-$65 per hour and can install a sump pump¹ in 8-10 hours for a total cost of $360-$650.

Enhancement and improvement costs

In the case of a power outage, a sump pump¹ may stop working. A battery-powered backup costs around $150-$200 and can be easily installed in an emergency to start the sump pump¹ working again to remove excess water.
A sump pump¹ filter can help keep smaller debris and particles away from entering the system and potentially causing damage. They average $15-$35.
A sump pump¹ alarm monitors the water levels in your house and gives a warning when the levels are in danger of triggering the sump pump¹. These systems typically are installed by the sump pump¹ or a tub or sink and cost $15-$30 each, although more advanced systems can cost up to $100.
If you live in an area prone to flooding or if you store valuables in the basement, you may want to install two sump pumps¹ side by side, which can double your water removal speeds and give you a full-power backup if the first pump² goes down. Many contractors offer a discount when installing two sump pumps¹ at once.

Additional considerations and costs

In general, sump pumps¹ are typically not covered by insurance. This means insurance likely won’t cover a broken sump pump¹ or a pump² that backs up and floods the house. Talk to your insurance agent for specific details in your coverage.
In cold areas, sump pumps¹ are susceptible to freezing during winter, which can cause major damage and lead to flooding. To prevent this, remove the outside extension hose when the weather drops below freezing. You should also regularly check the discharge hose throughout the winter to make sure it is free of ice and debris.
It is possible to install your own sump pump¹, which can save on labor expenses, but only experienced and knowledgeable DIY-ers should attempt this project on their own.

FAQ

How much does it cost to install a sump pump?

The average cost to install a sump pump ranges from $550 to $1,100 depending on the size of the pump.

How do you build a sump pit?

A sump pit is literally a hole just large enough to hold the pump with a plastic lining. This can be dug by hand with a shovel or with a tool. A trench is dug around the perimeter of the home, usually laid with pipe to drain into the pit.

How does a sump pump work?

Sump pumps work by detecting a preset water level in their pit or pedestal. When water reaches this height, they pull the water up out of the pit and pump it out through a pipe or hose to an area directed outside of the house.

What is a check valve on a sump pump?

Check valves prevent water from returning back into the pit after it has been pumped out. This prevents the pump from simply recycling the same water over and over again.

Do you need a plumber to install a sump pump?

A handyman is likely qualified to install a sump pump, provided that the trench has been dug. If pipes need to be laid or fit, a plumber may be necessary.

How do you install a sump pump?

A sump pump itself is easy to install. It’s lowered into the pit and a pipe or hose is attached and run several feet up where it is vented out of the house. In a home without a pit, one needs to be dug, and a trench made to direct the water to this location.

How long do sump pumps last on average?

A sump pump can last anywhere from 5 to 30 years depending on whether it is a submersible pump or a pedestal pump. Pedestal pumps tend to last longer than submersible pumps.

How much does it cost to replace a sump pump?

The average cost of having a pump installed is around $550 to $1,100. If you are only swapping the pump and not doing any pipe fitting or hole digging, this cost will be on the lower end.

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