Whole house Poly-B repipe in Calgary, how much should I budget?

Budget roughly $8,000 to $15,000 for a whole-house Poly-B repipe in Calgary, with most homes landing between $10,000 and $13,000. A larger two-storey house can push the number to about $18,000, and drywall patching and painting after the work is often priced separately.

What moves the price for your home

The biggest variables are the size of the house, how many floors the supply lines run through, and how accessible the piping is. A bungalow with an open basement ceiling is faster to work through than a two-storey with finished ceilings on every level. The number of fixtures (bathrooms, laundry, wet bar, outdoor hose bibs) adds to the material and labour count. PEX and copper are both used for repipes, and the material choice affects both the price and the amount of wall opening needed.

Access is the other big driver. If drywall has to be cut to reach supply lines in finished walls, expect patching and painting costs on top of the plumbing quote. Get a clear answer on whether those trades are included or whether you arrange them separately.

A plumbing permit from the City of Calgary is required for a repipe, and the contractor should take it out before touching a pipe. The permit fee is based on the construction value of the job, starting at $116.50 and rising with the value of the work. Starting without a permit doubles the fee, and the City will not issue a homeowner permit for concealed plumbing that was done without one. Make sure the quote names who pulls the permit; when you hire the work out, it should be the plumber.

The plumber doing the work must be a certified journeyperson or a registered apprentice working under one. That is a requirement under Alberta's Skilled Trades and Apprenticeship Education Act, not a suggestion.

On Poly-B itself: existing Poly-B is not illegal and no rule requires you to replace it. The Province of Alberta notes that Alberta installations typically used copper or brass insert fittings, rather than the plastic fittings reported to be more prone to failure. That said, if your insurer has questions about Poly-B, check with them directly; never assume what their position is.

What a fair quote should include.

Ask each plumber to give you a written quote that covers:

• A fixed price (or a clear hourly rate with an estimated total), not just a ballpark
• The pipe material and fittings specified by model or type
• Which walls or ceilings will be opened and who patches them
• The permit and both rough-in and final inspections
• Removal and disposal of the old Poly-B
• A warranty on both parts and labour, with the terms in writing
• Payment schedule and start and completion dates

Before signing, ask to see the plumber's trade certificate, confirm they hold an Alberta prepaid contracting licence if any deposit changes hands before the work is complete, and request a WCB-Alberta clearance letter. GST (5%) applies to the plumber's invoice.