Sump pump replacement cost: repair or replace?

What you’ll pay, piece by piece

These are Angi’s 2026 ranges (Angi):

• Pedestal pump: $60 to $170. The motor sits above the pit, so it’s easier to reach but louder.
• Submersible pump: $100 to $400. It sits inside the pit, runs quieter and costs more.
• Labor: $45 to $200 an hour. Angi says a replacement takes about an hour, while a brand-new installation takes two to four hours.

Repair or replace?

Angi puts sump pump repairs at about $400 to $550, which is close to the cost of a new pump (Angi). Angi lists these signs that it’s time to replace:

• The pump is more than 10 years old.
• It runs constantly, or turns on and off too often.
• It makes strange noises.
• The motor has burned out.

Keep it working

Angi suggests testing the pump several times a year by pouring water into the pit until it turns on, cleaning the inlet screen every three to four months and making sure the pump sits upright. Budget up to about $250 a year if you pay a pro for maintenance (Angi).

Stop the next basement flood

Illinois DNR warns that if a sump pump is clogged, overloaded or loses power, the system meant to keep groundwater out can let water in. Its guide lists these fixes (Illinois DNR):

• Clean the pump intake to remove blockages.
• Install a larger pump, or add a second or third pump.
• Connect the pump to a backup power source, such as a battery system or a generator.
• Disconnect downspouts from the footing drain, and send downspouts and the sump outlet farther from the house.
• Run the outlet above ground or add a check valve so water can’t flow back.

Illinois DNR also notes that a sump pump tied into the sanitary sewer can add to sewer backups during heavy rain (Illinois DNR). If your basement is already wet, start with our basement flooding guide.

Check your insurance before the storm

FEMA says flood insurance through the NFIP covers only limited items in a basement. Sump pumps, furnaces and water heaters are on its covered list, while finished floors, finished walls and most belongings stored there are not (FEMA). Ask your agent separately about sewer and water backup coverage.

Would a home warranty help with the next sump pump bill?

A home warranty is a service contract that helps pay to repair or replace some home systems and appliances. Know these numbers before you buy:

• Price. The DC Attorney General says a basic home warranty costs $500 a year or more (DC Attorney General). NerdWallet’s average was about $876 a year (NerdWallet).
• Service fee. You usually pay a fee for each repair visit, typically $75 or more (DC Attorney General). NerdWallet found an average of about $108 (NerdWallet).
• Is the item covered? Some plans exclude kitchen appliances, water heaters, furnaces and other major appliances, or charge extra to cover them (DC Attorney General).
• Caps and exclusions. Claims can be capped. Contracts can exclude wear and tear, manufacturer defects and problems from skipped maintenance. The company may repair rather than replace, and may pick the contractor (DC Attorney General).

Check whether sump pumps are in the base plan or an add-on, and what the cap is. Don’t count on a brand-new plan to pay for something that’s already broken; read when coverage starts and what it excludes. See our home warranty cost guide.