Sump Pump Installation Cost

You’ll likely spend between $640 and $1,915 installing a sump pump. You can get either a submersible or pedestal unit for $60 to $400. The rest goes toward installation at $45 to $200 per hour.

You must place the sump pump at the lowest point in the floor in a hole called the sump hole. Any water that flows inside your house makes its way to this lowest point. The pump then pulls it away from your foundation. This helps prevent flooding and keeps you from having to repair water damage.

Crawl Space Sump Pump Installation Cost

Installing a sump pump in the crawl space can cost as much as $3,900. The total depends on the type of unit you want, the height of the work area and how much time it takes to install. Most crawl spaces are only one to three feet tall, which means you have to use hand tools instead of full-size digging equipment.

Basement Sump Pump Cost

Basement sump pump installs typically cost $640 to $1,915 when all goes to plan. The total can hit $3,900 if it takes a long time to dig through the floor or if the plumbing is in the way. Basements are easier to work in than the crawlspace since they allow installers to stand up and use full-size tools. Many basement waterproofing companies also offer rental programs for sump pump systems that can provide you another layer of protection in the event of a pump failure.

Outdoor Sump Pump Installation Cost

Outdoor sump pumps are around $1,220 on average to install in yards that are prone to flooding. You need a submersible unit capable of withstanding high and low temperatures.

Battery Backup Sump Pump Cost

Sump pumps with battery backups are $1,220 on average to place in your yard, basement or crawlspace. Combination units that run on water pressure and have a battery backup may cost a couple hundred more.

Sump Pump Replacement Cost

Sump pump replacements usually cost $275 to $1,000 since the replacement process does not take as much time as a new install. You just have to remove the old pump and put in the new one with no digging required.

Labor Cost to Install Sump Pump

Installers charge $45 to $200 per hour to install a sump pump. New installs usually take two to four hours, while replacements are only an hour or so.

Cost of a New Sump Pump

A new sump pump costs $60 to $400. Pedestal models are the cheapest at $60 to $170 apiece. Submersible models run between $100 to $400. Both types work the same way. Inside there is a float that lifts up as the water level rises. Once the water is above a certain level, the pump turns on to suck the water in and send it down the drain.

Sump Pump Cost by Type

In these two categories, you can find pumps powered by water, battery or both. The battery and combo pumps are about twice as much as water-driven models. You can also find both plastic and metal pumps. Plastic is more resistant to corrosive fluids, but they don’t handle high pressures very well. Metal pumps are stronger but are prone to corrosion and double the price of plastic units.

Pedestal

Pedestal sump pumps have a one-third- to one-half-horsepower motor that can remove up to 35 gallons per minute. The motor sits on top of a pedestal with a hose going down into the reservoir. The hose draws water up out of the hole and into the drain. Since they sit out in the open, these pumps are noisy, but quite easy to service.

Submersible

Submersible sump pumps usually have a powerful three-quarter-horsepower motor that can remove up to 60 gallons per minute. The entire pump is waterproof, so it can sit down inside the reservoir. The water around the pump muffles its sound, making it much quieter than pedestal units. They are more difficult to service since you have to pull them out of the reservoir first.

Sump Pump Price Factors

Besides the cost of the pump itself, other factors that influence include:

Type of Floor

Sump pump installs in concrete floors can add $2,500 to $5,000. To make room for the reservoir, you must hammer through the surface with a jackhammer and other special tools.

Location

Putting a sump pump in the crawlspace or other hard-to-reach areas can increase the price by several hundred dollars. Suppose your home’s plumbing is dense and complex in that area. In that case, you must take extra care to avoid damaging anything, which increases the cost even more.

Geographic Locations

You may get charged $1,700 in one city while your friend in another city pays about $2,200 for the same job. This is usually due to the varying cost of labor, permit fees and parts.

Other Sump Pump Considerations

Even with your sump pump installed, you still have a number of costs to consider, such as:

• Flood Insurance: Add a rider to your policy for $700 a year to get true peace of mind.
• Maintenance: Expect to pay up to $250 per year to have your sump pump checked and cleared.
• Repairs: Sump pump repairs cost $510 on average if the unit stops working right.

You may also want to get these accessories to keep your sump pump doing its job:

Battery Backup: A storm big enough to bring flooding conditions to your house can also knock out the power. A marine battery lets the pump work independently of your house’s power in an emergency.

Sump Pump Alarm: Alarms alert you if the water overpowers your pump. When the water hits a certain level, the alarm sounds to let you know that the pump isn’t able to keep up with the flow.

Reserve Pumps: If you live where flooding is quite heavy you might consider having multiple pumps. If your main pump cannot remove enough water, you can turn on the reserve pumps to add a little muscle to your system.

Filters: The life of a pump can be severely shortened if it’s constantly sucking up sediment and other material. A filter helps keep such things out of your pump and extend its life.

DIY vs. Hire a Sump Pump Installer

You can save money by installing the sump pump yourself, but only if you know exactly where to put it and how to hook it up. Otherwise, the pump could fail to operate as expected, resulting in flooding and water damage. Hiring a sump pump contractor near you can be worth the peace of mind of knowing the system works right and, if it doesn’t, that you have means of recourse.

FAQs

How much power does a sump pump use?

Most one-third- to one-half-horsepower sump pumps use 1,300 to 2,900 watts to start up. Then, they use 800 to 1,050 watts to continue running until the reservoir is empty.

How do I size a sump pump?

To find the right sump pump size, dig out your 18-inch-wide reservoir and observe the water accumulation on a rainy day. Start with an empty reservoir and watch the rainfall for one full minute. Measure the depth of the rainwater in inches and multiply by 60 to find the total number of gallons that builds up. Multiply that number by 1.5 for a bit of wiggle room. If it’s more than 35 gallons per minute, get a three-quarter-horsepower unit. Otherwise, one-third- to one-half-horsepower models will work.

What are the signs I need to replace a sump pump?

Ask yourself these questions to figure out if it’s time to replace your sump pump:

• Is it noisy? Bent or damaged impellers get quite noisy and fail to pump out enough water.
• Is it getting power? If the unit turns on but doesn’t pump, it may have electrical issues.
• Has it stopped working entirely? Check the float switch. If there’s no power, replace the pump.
• Does the area smell bad? Sump pump odors often occur as the pump fails to operate correctly.

Do you need a plumber to install a sump pump?

Not necessarily. If you want to hire a professional to handle the install, you can go with a plumber or a handyman. You can also hire a specialized sump pump repair pro near you to handle the replacement or new install.

Should every basement have a sump pump?

No. You only need a sump pump if your basement floods during light to heavy rain. If you notice basement condensation instead, you might need basic waterproofing services.