Replacing a residential sewer line in the Howell area runs about $3,500 to $15,000 in 2026, or roughly $50 to $250 per linear foot. The reason a quote can swing by $10,000 comes down to four things: how deep the line is, how long it is, what is sitting on top of it, and whether it can be replaced without a full trench.
Sewer line replacement cost (2026)
| Scope | Typical cost | What it involves |
|---|---|---|
| Partial replacement (short section) | $2,500 – $6,000 | Replacing 10–25 ft of failed pipe |
| Full replacement – trenchless (pipe bursting) | $5,000 – $15,000 | New HDPE pipe pulled through the old path, two small access pits |
| Full replacement – excavated | $3,500 – $15,000+ | Open trench the length of the run |
| Per linear foot | $50 – $250/ft | Higher with depth, hard surfaces, and shoring |
| Concrete / asphalt removal & replace | +$1,500 – $6,000 | Driveway, sidewalk, patio, or road cut and restoration |
| Permit & municipal inspection | $150 – $600 | Pulled through the city, township, or county |
2026 estimates for Livingston County homes, not quotes. Landscaping restoration, tree removal, dewatering, and road-cut bonds can add more.
The four things that set the price
Depth
A line four feet down is a modest trench. At seven or eight feet, the trench needs shoring for safety, excavation takes longer, and backfill and compaction cost more. Depth is often the single biggest variable.
Length
A 25-foot run to a septic tank is a different job from a 75-foot run to a street connection. Cost scales roughly with footage.
What is on the surface
Replacing a line under a lawn is the cheap case. Under a concrete driveway, a paver patio, a mature tree, a city sidewalk, or a finished basement slab, the restoration can cost as much as the pipe work.
Trenchless vs. open trench
Pipe bursting pulls a new seamless pipe through the old line's path using two small pits instead of a continuous trench. It costs more per foot but can save thousands in surface restoration. It is not an option for every layout — sharp bends, certain pipe materials, and shallow depth can rule it out. A camera inspection and a locate tell you which methods are on the table.
Partial vs. full replacement
If a camera shows one clearly failed section and the rest of the line is sound, a partial replacement or a spot repair is the economical choice. If the line is old clay or Orangeburg that is cracking, root-infested, or back-pitched along its length, replacing a section only buys a year or two before the next failure — a full replacement is the better value.
A typical Howell-area replacement
A 1968 Genoa Township home has an Orangeburg line that has deformed and partially collapsed 30 feet out, under the front lawn, six feet deep. Lining is not an option because the host pipe has lost its shape. The contractor pipe-bursts the full 55-foot run to a new HDPE line: about $11,500, one and a half days, two access pits, and the lawn reseeded. See our line replacement service for the process.
Questions to ask before work begins
- Can I see the camera footage showing why the whole line needs replacing?
- Is trenchless possible here? If not, why?
- What surface restoration is included — and to what standard?
- Is the permit, inspection, and any road-cut bond in the price?
- Firm price or estimate? What could change it once you are digging?
Sewer line replacement cost FAQ
How much does it cost to replace a sewer line in Michigan?
In 2026, a residential sewer line replacement in the Howell area typically runs $3,500 to $15,000, or roughly $50 to $250 per linear foot. Deep lines, long runs, and cutting through concrete or a road push it toward the top of that range and beyond.
Is trenchless replacement cheaper than digging?
The trenchless method itself is not always cheaper per foot, but the total often is once you account for not having to rebuild a driveway, patio, sidewalk, or finished basement floor.
How long does a sewer line replacement take?
A straightforward trenchless job is often one day. An excavated replacement is typically one to three days, longer if concrete removal, deep trenching, or municipal road work is involved.
Who is responsible for the sewer line in the street?
In most Livingston County communities the homeowner owns the lateral from the house to the connection at the main, including the portion under the parkway and sometimes into the street. Your municipality's DPW can confirm where their responsibility begins.