Updated: November 24, 2022
Reviewed by Cristina Miguelez remodeling expert. Written by Fixr.com.
To provide you with the most accurate and up-to-date cost figures, we gather information from a variety of pricing databases, licensed contractors, and industry experts.
Kitchen remodels transform the busiest room in your home. And while most people planning a remodel focus on things like the cabinets, countertops, or how things will look, there is one piece of the remodel that is arguably more important than all those things - the plumbing. Kitchen plumbing projects include all the pipes, appliances, and fixtures that allow you to cook meals, clean, and store food. In addition, if you want a gas stove or oven, then a gas line will also be necessary. All these things are roughed in or installed by plumbers early in the remodel, with the finish work happening near the very end. Since there are numerous appliances and features a kitchen can have, there is a wide range of costs for plumbing a kitchen.
The national average ranges from $4,000 to $7,000. Most people pay around $5,500 for the plumbing in a full kitchen remodel, assuming two sinks and faucets, a dishwasher, an instant hot water tap, a disposal, and an ice maker. A partial remodel with the installation of one drop-in sink, a faucet, and a new dishwasher with PEX pipes averages $1,600. The highest cost full remodel, with two sinks and faucets, a pot filler, a dishwasher installed in an island, a new gas line running to separate cooktops and ovens, an ice maker, and a hot water tap can top $10,000 when the contractor has to do extensive piping.
Cost to Install Kitchen Plumbing
| Cost to Plumb a Kitchen | |
| National average cost | $5,500 |
| Average range | $4,000-$7,000 |
| Low-end | $1,600 |
| High-end | $10,000 |
Cost to Plumb a Kitchen by Feature
Many different parts of a kitchen remodel require additional plumbing. Many kitchen remodels require plumbing work for the sink and faucet. However, some homeowners choose to include additional features such as pot fillers and entertainment or bar sinks. Remodels also commonly feature dishwashers, water lines for refrigerator ice makers, and natural gas lines for appliances like stoves. All these installations require a plumber to install them and make sure that they are functioning and up to code. Use the table below to gauge the cost of your kitchen plumbing remodel or update based on the different fixtures you want.
| Fixture | Cost (Piping Only) | Cost (Piping+Fixture) |
| Gas Line | $1 - $10/linear foot | $650 - $2,000 |
| Ice Maker | $25 - $250/fixture | $525 - $3,000 |
| Dishwasher | $70 - $500/fixture | $700 - $1,970 |
| Instant Hot Tap | $100 - $500/fixture | $350 - $1,000 |
| Sink | $100 - $500/fixture | $400 - $2,000 |
| Faucet | $300 - $1,500/fixture | $500 - $2,500 |
| Garbage Disposal | $350 - $700/fixture | $550 - $1,000 |
| Pot Filler | $400 - $640/fixture | $600 - $1,840 |
Run a Gas Line to a Kitchen
The average cost to run a line to the kitchen is between $1 and $10 a linear foot for just the gas line. When you add the fixture and related materials, you will pay $650 to $2,000. If you have natural gas in your home and want to change from an electric range or oven to a gas version, you need to run a gas line to your kitchen. The cost for this service mostly depends on the length that the line needs to run. The farther your kitchen is from your gas meter, the longer the line needs to be and the higher the overall costs. There are also some cost variations for the pipe type used, although there may.
Install an Ice Maker Water Line
Plumbing for refrigerator hookups costs between $25 and $250. Installing a refrigerator increases costs from $525 to $3,000. When installing a new refrigerator with water and an ice maker in the door, you also need new plumbing. In addition, once your refrigerator is in place, the plumber needs to do the actual water hook up to get it running properly. Costs vary depending on the placement of your refrigerator and also the brand. Prices are higher when installing the refrigerator in an area where no plumbing exists. Always ask your plumber what type of piping they recommend.
Dishwasher Installation
Dishwasher installation costs between $70 and $500, depending on the complexity of the job. Adding a new dishwasher to the project costs between $700 and $1,970. Most kitchens today have a dishwasher beneath the countertop, next to the sink. This arrangement makes cleanup fast and easy. Dishwashers come in many different types and sizes, with the undercounter version being the most common. While they do not necessarily need a plumber to install if you have the plumbing already in place from a previous one, it is common to have your dishwasher replaced along with your sink and new plumbing. Handling these projects simultaneously may save some money on labor costs.
Install an Instant Hot Water Dispenser
If you like having cups of hot tea or coffee regularly throughout the day, you may want to add a hot water dispenser to your kitchen remodel for $100 to $500. If you need a new dispenser in addition to the plumbing, the total project cost ranges between $350 and $1,000. Hot water taps are installed at your sink beside your regular faucet. They are usually much smaller than your main faucet. Some can also be plumbed to deliver filtered water and instant hot water. Most are designed to give you water that is just slightly cooler than boiling for safety reasons.
Kitchen Sink Installation
You have probably put a lot of thought into the type of sink for your new kitchen, which you should expect to cost between $100 and $500 to install. Adding a sink to the project means a range of $400 to $2,000. The cost to install kitchen sink plumbing with the replacement sink varies significantly due to the difference in the quality of materials and the possibility of needing new pipes installed in a different configuration or location than the old pipes. Your sink installation also depends at least partly on your countertop installation and sometimes on your cabinet installation.
Kitchen Faucet Installation
Installing a kitchen faucet ranges between $500 and $2,500, depending on the faucet type and whether minor or extensive updates to the plumbing attached to it are needed. The plumbing work by itself costs $300 to $1,500, without the cost of the faucet. Your kitchen faucet is a big part of your remodel. Your contractor may need to move or replace the pipes to accommodate a new style of faucet. Faucets get a lot of use every day, from filling pots to washing up. You have many choices for your kitchen faucet, from simple styles to touchless or toe-activated models. With all these choices comes a range of associated costs.
Install a Garbage Disposal
Many people choose to have a garbage disposal added to their kitchen sink, with an installation cost between $350 and $700. Adding a new garbage disposal to the installation project brings the total to $550 to $1,000. The plumber may need to install some new piping, whether the disposal replaces an old disposal or is installed where no disposal existed. Disposals reduce food waste going out in the trash and make cleanup quick and easy. Garbage disposals come in many types and sizes. It is often easiest to handle replacements with a similar type of disposal to reduce the cost of new pipes.
Pot Filler Installation
The average cost to install a pot filler is between $400 and $640, depending on the model and how far the water line needs to run. Adding a pot filler to the project costs between $600 and $1,840. If you do a lot of cooking, you may want to save yourself the trouble of carrying heavy pots from the sink to the stove. A pot filler is a faucet installed in the area behind your cooktop. Its sole use is to provide water for cooking where you need it. While the cost of the filler itself can be low, additional plumbing needs to be run to this area for the installation. This raises costs, depending on how far the line needs to run.
Labor Cost to Plumb a Kitchen
For any substantial job, the best professional to call is a plumber, who costs $75 to $150 per hour for labor. Some jobs include work by a journeyman plumber for around $45 an hour, and other jobs may require the work of a master plumber for $200 per hour. The work may entail the demolition of certain areas of the kitchen, moving existing plumbing lines or installing new lines, and installing and hooking up new appliances to the system.
For some small projects, homeowners may call a handyman at a rate of $50 to $100 an hour, which may lower overall costs. For example, replacing a garbage disposal is easily accomplished by a plumber. However, a handyman can do the job, too, especially if it only needs a small, extra length of pipe. For significant remodel work, however, a plumber is usually the best choice for plumbing updates, changes, and installations. On the other hand, a handyman is a great go-to for small, basic projects that do not require substantial plumbing expertise.
Cost to Remove Plumbing Fixtures in a Kitchen
When completely remodeling a kitchen, it likely means you will replace your appliances and plumbing fixtures. This can include your sink and faucet, dishwasher, and refrigerator if it has a water hookup. The cost to remove plumbing fixtures and appliances varies greatly, depending on the project scope and fixture type. For example, dishwasher projects usually range from $550 to $800 for the labor on the pipes. But, the price may increase by $25 to $200 when you add the dishwasher removal cost and replacement of the existing dishwasher. Factors like the age of the appliance and whether the kitchen is on the first or second story influence the cost of the removal before work begins and the replacement cost after work is complete.
If you are having a full tear out done, the cost of removing the fixtures is included in the tear out, which is around $1,000 total. For a partial remodel that does not change the basic layout or remove cabinets, simply updating fixtures and appliances, your costs will likely be on a fixture-by-fixture basis. Expect removal costs to start at around $50 for the sink and faucets and up to $200 for large appliances. Removal costs are influenced by disposal, with anything that can be recycled or repurposed costing less to remove than items that must be thrown away.
Plumbing Materials for Your Kitchen Renovation
While you may not see a lot of the plumbing that supplies and drains the water in your kitchen, there are several different materials in use. Plastics, such as PVC, have been popular for the last several years because they are inexpensive and easy to work with. PEX and flexible piping supplies are also very popular materials for plumbing and save costs on projects due to their affordability versus copper pipes. Older homes may also have copper, galvanized steel, and other materials already installed.
Not all plumbing materials meet plumbing codes in every state. Some states have additional regulations on the pipe and drain sizes and the trap types beneath your sink. Your plumber can explain which materials and pieces meet local code, and your plumber may have a preference for what they work with. If you have older plumbing in your kitchen, you may need to have it removed or updated if it is no longer up to code.
Enhancement and Improvement Costs
A Kitchen Island With a Sink
Kitchen islands are one of the most popular additions to kitchens today. They add storage and countertop space and can also be used to hold additional sinks for prep or entertaining. Kitchen islands come in a wide range of sizes and materials, as well as different countertop choices. This means a wide range of costs associated with the installation. The average cost for a kitchen island with a bar sink and faucet installed is around $4,000 to $7,000. Not all kitchens have the room for islands, so it is a cost that may only be incurred by some homeowners.
Water Filter System for a Home
Water filter systems cost between $2,100 to $3,300 to install. They are an excellent alternative to bottled water. Homeowners may find it convenient to install a water filter system during a kitchen remodel for efficiency, particularly when installing multiple new pipes or lines. While the upfront cost of a water purification system may add a few thousand to the kitchen remodel or replumbing project, their long-term benefit is significant. A water purification or filtration system is not absolutely necessary, but it is something to consider.
Heated Kitchen Floor
When updating the plumbing in a kitchen, one option to consider is radiant floor heating, costing $2,500 to $7,500. This heating option uses pipes embedded in the floor to heat the room. The pipes may use water, air, or electricity to provide heat in a manner considered more efficient than forced air heating. Kitchen floors often feature tile, which may feel cold in the winter. Radiant heating is an option to consider when overhauling the plumbing in the kitchen during major remodels.
Additional Considerations and Costs
- Permits. Any type of kitchen remodel requires a permit. Your contractor should submit all plans for the remodel, including the plumbing, before starting the project.
- Discounts. Your contractor usually coordinates all the professionals on the job during a remodel. By using the plumber they recommend, you may be able to get discounted prices.
- Water damage. Wherever there is plumbing in your kitchen, you have the potential for water damage and/or mold. If these are present, you may have additional costs for mold remediation ($1,500 to $4,000) and water damage repairs ($1,750 to $8,000).
- Scheduling. Schedule your plumber ahead of the project. Make sure that all fixtures and appliances are on hand for the day they arrive. This ensures the fastest and least expensive installation.
- Venting. While moving a sink a short distance is a simple job, it is still best to hire a professional. Sinks need to be vented properly by tying to the stack line in order to drain. The stack line allows air to escape upwards so that the water can drain more easily. Not venting or installing the drain properly can mean a sink that no longer functions like it should.
- Layout. A poor layout may increase costs unnecessarily. For example, putting the washing machine far away from the sink may cost more than placing them next to one another. Take the advice of your contractor when they offer suggestions on the layout.
FAQs
- How difficult is it to move plumbing in a kitchen?
If you are moving the plumbing less than 3 feet, this can be done DIY. Anything more than that increases the difficulty of the project. Other factors also influence the difficulty, which is why it is always best to speak to a plumber to get the most accurate idea.
- How do I set up plumbing in my kitchen?
Getting plumbing for a kitchen starts with a plumbing plan that illustrates items like the water supply lines, vents, and drains. The plan will also include fixture and appliance placement. A plumber can draw these plans, but they’re also often a part of architectural drawings.
References
- Better Homes and Gardens. “Our Ultimate Guide to Kitchen Plumbing and Appliances."
https://www.bhg.com/home-improvement/plumbing/how-to-install-kitchen-plumbing-and-appliances/ - Brownstoner. “From the Forum: Cost for Moving My Kitchen Sink, Stove and Gas Line?"
https://www.brownstoner.com/ask-brownstoner/plumbing-cost-kitchen-renovation-moving-gas-line-sink-stove/ - Craftsman Book Company. National Home Improvement Estimator, Ed. by Ray F. Hicks (Carlsbad, CA, 2021).
- Craftsman Book Company. National Plumbing & HVAC Estimator, Ed. by James A. Thomson (Carlsbad, CA, 2021).
- FIXR Cost Guides and Cost Database.
- Hunker. “Moving Kitchen Plumbing: What You Should Know."
https://www.hunker.com/13724825/moving-kitchen-plumbing-what-you-should-know - Lowe’s. “Plumbing Basics: What’s Going on Under My Sink?"
https://www.rotorooter.com/blog/plumbing/2-plumbing-services-youll-need-for-a-kitchen-remodel/ - Roto Rooter. “2 Plumbing Services You’ll Need for a Kitchen Remodel."
https://www.rotorooter.com/blog/plumbing/2-plumbing-services-youll-need-for-a-kitchen-remodel/ - The Washington Post. “How to get a high-quality kitchen remodel without the sticker shock.”
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/where-we-live/wp/2015/03/09/how-to-get-a-high-quality-kitchen-remodel-without-the-sticker-shock/