What Does Trenchless Pipe Lining Cost?
Quick answer: Trenchless pipe lining cost depends on the size and condition of the line and the details of each job, from residential drain lines to large commercial projects. The ranges below come from our own drain line projects. For an exact number, the first step is a camera inspection of your line.
Most of our trenchless pipe lining projects on drain lines fall between $3,800 and $15,800. The range is wide: many residential jobs come in around $3,000, and large commercial projects can pass $100,000. Those numbers reflect the variety of work we handle, from single-family homes to large commercial properties.
Key takeaways
- The length of the line, its size, how it is reached and its condition set most of the price.
- Heavy scale or roots add cleaning time, because the pipe has to be clean before it is lined.
- Lining a drain typically costs 20 to 30 percent less than digging, demolishing and replacing it.
- An exact price comes from a camera inspection, not a phone estimate.
What drives the cost of lining a drain?
- Length of the run. More pipe means more liner and more installation time.
- Pipe diameter. Larger pipe takes more material to line.
- Access. Most lines are reached through existing cleanouts or small openings. Some projects need a wall opening to reach the pipe, and wall repairs are not part of our service.
- Condition of the pipe. Roots, grease and heavy rust scale have to be removed first. See when pipe descaling is necessary.
- Branch connections. Every connection that joins the line has to be reopened from inside the new liner.
- Spot repair or full length. A single damaged section costs less to fix than a line with problems along its whole run.
- Residential or commercial. Commercial systems tend to be longer, larger and more complex.
Is lining cheaper than digging up and replacing the pipe?
In most cases, yes. Our drain lining work typically costs 20 to 30 percent less than traditional dig, demolish and replace repairs. Replacement also carries costs that do not show up in the plumbing quote: broken concrete, torn-up landscaping, damaged flooring and the repair work that follows. Lining avoids most of them because the old pipe is restored where it sits.
For a closer look at the comparison, see whether trenchless sewer repair costs more than digging, and for water supply lines, our guide to repiping vs relining.
What is included in a lining job?
- Video inspection. A camera maps the pipe layout and shows where the damage is.
- Cleaning. The pipe is cleaned and descaled, removing roots and any obstructions.
- Liner installation. A resin-saturated liner is pulled into the pipe and pressed against the old wall.
- Curing. The liner is cured in place. Depending on the job, curing takes from about 90 minutes to 12 hours, and the drains cannot be used during this time.
- Final camera inspection. The line is checked again to confirm a smooth, sealed liner.
How long does a lining job take?
Depending on the job, completion ranges from about 4 hours to a day or two. Most of that time is cleaning, installation and curing, rather than the digging and restoration work a replacement would need.
What do you get for the price?
- Flow performance comparable to new ABS pipe.
- A seamless liner that roots have no joints to get through.
- The strength of the existing pipe combined with the new liner.
- A lifespan of more than 50 years.
- Far less demolition than older repair methods.
Our drain lining carries a 20-year structural warranty. To keep it in force, avoid chemical drain cleaners; if a blockage does happen, we recommend hydro jetting to clear it.
Frequently asked questions about trenchless pipe lining cost
Why does the cost of lining a drain vary so much?
Length, pipe size, access, the number of branch connections and the condition of the pipe all change the amount of work. A short residential run with a clean access point is a very different job from a long commercial line with many connections.
Is a spot repair cheaper than lining the whole line?
Usually, yes, when the damage is limited to one joint or one short section and the rest of the line looks sound on camera. When cracks, roots or scale run along the whole pipe, lining it end to end is usually the better value.
Can I get a price without an inspection?
The ranges on this page give you a ballpark. An exact price needs a camera inspection, because the condition, length and connections of the line set the scope of the job.
How do you get an exact price?
Every line is different, so an exact price starts with seeing inside the pipe. Schedule a sewer camera inspection with Pipeliners, and we will show you the footage, explain the options and give you a price for your line. Crews are available 24/7 for backups that cannot wait. Call 480-535-6503.
Last updated: September 2026.
