Sump Pump Cost

• An average sump pump (pedestal or submersible) for a typical home runs about $100 -$300 depending on the horsepower, materials (plastic is less expensive than cast iron or stainless steel), flow rate and the height the water needs to be lifted to discharge it. A sump pump with a built-in backup pump can be $300 -$500, and heavy-duty solid-brass sump pumps start around $250 -$350, but can go as high as $600 -$1,200 for extremely rugged models with a half to a full horse power. Average total costs for a do-it-yourself installation of basin, pump, gravel and cement can run $150 -$350.
• Labor to replace an existing sump pump with a similar new model runs around $50 -$150 or more. An average installation of a sump basin and pump (not including drains) runs about $250 -$600 for parts and labor, depending on the quality of the equipment, ease of access and local rates. One homeowner had a plumber install a middle-of-the-line sump pump and basin for $305.
• A separate battery- or water-powered backup emergency sump pump is $150 -$350 or more, depending on horsepower, flow rate, materials and other features. A backup pump operates during a power outage or if the primary sump pump fails. (Water-powered pumps use municipal water pressure.)
• A professionally installed system with a basin, pump and drains in a typical home runs about $2,000 -$6,000 for labor and parts, although it can go as high as $10,000 -$15,000 for extensive drainage with more than one sump pump.
• To add drainage into the sump basin without having to jackhammer through the basement floor, baseboard-style drains can be installed along the inside of the basement walls. Do-it-yourself kits are roughly $10 -$13 a foot, or $1,000 -$1,300 for 100 feet for a 20x30-foot basement. Professional installation bumps the total cost to $2,000 -$2,600 for 100 feet.

• Typically found in a basement floor or the crawl space under a home, a sump pump is installed inside a sump basin, sump crock or sump pit. When the basin begins to fill with water, the pump expels the water into a discharge pipe. Sump pumps are designed to operate whenever the water level in the basin reaches a certain level -- which could be round the clock or only during heavy storms, depending on water levels in your home. The pump does not actually gather water from other areas of the home/foundation, it only pumps excess water out of the sump basin.
• BobVila.com provides an overview of the different kinds of sump pumps.
• A pedestal sump pump costs less, is more easily serviced (since the motor is above the sump basin) and often lasts 20-30 years, but it's conspicuous and could be a hazard with children. A submersible sump pump costs more and only lasts 5-15 years, but is typically quieter and less obtrusive than a pedestal model. Both types of sump pumps range in horsepower from a quarter to 1HP; a 1/3HP sump pump is standard for most homes. North Dakota State University answers frequently asked questions about sump pumps.
• It's a relatively simple project to replace an old sump pump with a new one of a similar size (unplug and remove the old one; install and plug in the new one). However, a complete do-it-yourself installation of a first-time sump basin and pump can be hard work, including cutting a hole in a concrete basement floor. ThisOldHouse.com provides a video showing how to install a basin and submersible sump pump, estimating the moderately difficult project could take 6-8 hours.

• In addition to horsepower and flow rates, compare the mechanism (manual, automatic or switchless) used to turn the pump on and off when water is present, as well as features such as the length of the power cord (sump pumps should not be used with an extension cord). Home Depot provides guidelines for selecting a sump pump.
• The Sump and Sewage Pump Manufacturers Association provides a list of sump pump manufacturers. Sump pumps are available in most plumbing supply or home improvement stores, and can be installed by a plumber, contractor or someone with strong plumbing skills.

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