How much does sewer line replacement cost in Minnesota?

The metro ranges

Minneapolis average

$4,319

Typical homeowner range

$2,705 – $6,336

Per linear foot

$50 – $250

Camera inspection first

$230 – $1,500

These are Twin Cities metro ranges from public sources, not our prices. What your job costs depends on your house — and you'll have our number before we start.

When should you do this work?

Between thaw and freeze, if the pipe gives you the choice. Excavation in frozen ground runs 20 to 40 percent more in the Twin Cities, because the ground has to be thawed before anybody can dig it. That is the single most useful fact on this page.

A sewer line that is failing slowly in September is a very different budget than the same line failing in January. If a camera shows a lateral with a few years left in it, doing the work in the fall instead of waiting for it to quit in the middle of winter can save four figures.

Obviously not every line waits for you. If it goes in February, it goes in February and we deal with it.

What drives the number?

Length from the house to the main, depth of the line, and what sits over it. A run under a lawn is one job. A run under a driveway, a mature boulevard tree, a garage slab or a city street is another, because restoration is often a bigger line item than the pipe.

Method matters too. Trenchless lining or pipe bursting avoids most of the surface restoration, but it requires a pipe in the right condition and access pits at both ends.

Does the homeowner own the whole lateral?

In most metro cities, yes — the homeowner is responsible for the lateral from the house all the way to the connection at the main, including the portion under the street. It surprises people every time. Rules vary by municipality, so it is worth confirming with your city before you assume either way.

Related questions

Is sewer line replacement more expensive in winter in Minnesota?

Yes. Twin Cities excavation in frozen ground typically runs 20 to 40 percent more, because the ground has to be thawed before it can be dug. If the timing is yours to choose, do it before freeze-up.

How do I know if my sewer line needs replacing or just cleaning?

A camera inspection is the only honest answer. Repeat backups, root intrusion at multiple joints, bellies holding water, and cracked or offset sections are the findings that push toward replacement rather than cleaning.

How long does a clay sewer lateral last?

Clay tile laterals in the older river cities have often been in the ground 70 to 100 years. They fail at the joints, where roots find them, rather than in the middle of a section.