How much does it cost to replace a sump pump?

The metro ranges

Swap an existing pump in an existing pit

$390 – $510

New install with pit excavation

$1,200 – $2,800

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.

Why is a new pit so much more?

Because it is concrete work before it is plumbing work. Breaking the slab, excavating the pit, setting the basin, running the discharge line out through the rim or the wall, and patching the floor is most of a day for two people. Swapping a pump into an existing basin is an hour or two.

Is a battery backup worth it here?

In this market, usually yes. The load pattern is spring thaw and summer downpours, and summer downpours in the north metro arrive with the storms that knock the power out. The pump fails exactly when you need it, for a reason that has nothing to do with the pump.

If your basement is finished, the backup costs less than one claim's deductible.

When should you replace instead of repair?

If the pump is over seven or eight years old, if it runs constantly, if it short-cycles, or if it has started making a new noise, replacement usually makes more sense than chasing a part. A pump is not an expensive machine. A finished basement is.

Related questions

How long does a sump pump last?

Seven to ten years is typical, and pumps that run frequently land at the low end of that. Replacing on your schedule costs a fraction of replacing during a storm.

Does a sump pump replacement need a permit?

A like-for-like pump swap generally does not. A new pit and discharge line, or a change to the discharge routing, may. We check the jurisdiction before we quote.

Why is my sump pump running constantly?

A high water table after a thaw or a heavy rain, a stuck float, a failed check valve letting discharged water fall back into the pit, or a pit that is undersized for the inflow. The check valve is the cheapest thing to rule out.