It costs between $280 and $376 to install a water pressure regulator valve. This is based on an average materials cost of between $85 and $103 per valve, plus a labor cost of between $195 and $273.
A water pressure regulator is a valve placed on the mains water inlet to your home. It helps to maintain a steady water flow coming in from the city supply, in particular protecting against surges which could put your home's plumbing under strain, potentially damaging pipes or appliances.
A water pressure regulator can also keep a lid on your water and energy bills by reducing the amount of water flowing at wasteful rates. On the other hand, a regulator will also maintain a steady flow to keep water moving through faucets and showers with enough force to be useful.
Standard Services | Quantity | Low | High | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
What you can expect | |||||
Range per valve: | $286.81 | $344.54 | |||
Range for this type of project: | $287 | $345 | |||
Estimate: $316 | |||||
Basic Labor for Pressure Regulator Valve Installation | 3 hours | $245 | $297 | ||
Labor costs for thorough installation. This will start with a full assessment of the space. Your team will plan the layout, acquire appropriate equipment, transport materials, and execute preparation, installation and cleanup. They will shut off water supply, remove the existing valve, install new valve, and conduct a full test to check for drainage and leaking. Excavation and supply line replacement available with additional fee. | |||||
Job Supplies for Pressure Regulator Valve Installation | 1 valve | $42 | $48 | ||
Standard supplies and materials used in the installation process, such as connectors, fittings, and mounting hardware. |
cost to install a pressure regulator valve | |
National Avg. Materials Cost per valve | $46.42 |
National Avg. Cost (labor and materials) for 1 valve | $327.69 |
National Cost Range (labor and materials) for 1 valve | $297.73 - $357.65 |
An experienced plumber will take around three hours to install a water pressure regulator. However, this cost can be higher in older buildings which contain potentially hazardous materials such as lead or asbestos, increasing the amount of work and replacement parts required.
More labor hours will also be charged if the main water inlet needs moving to provide space for the regulator valve, potentially pushing up the cost considerably.
Before installing a water regulator valve, the pressure of the water delivered to your home must be accurately measured. This can vary greatly from home to home, depending on your home's elevation, how many dwellings share the same main supply, and so on.
City supplies can reach up to 150 PSI (pounds per square inch), to ensure all homes on the network receive an adequate pressure. However, with an ideal working pressure of 50-60 PSI and a typical plumbing code maximum of around 80 PSI, most homes require some amount of pressure reduction.
After measuring the incoming water pressure, your plumber will survey your home to find the best place to install the regulator. This is usually in an easily accessible place and directly next to the main water shut-off valve.
Installing the regulator requires cutting off the water supply, fitting the part, and then restoring the water flow. The integrity of joints and seals will be checked, and the regulator adjusted until the new pressure is within the correct range.
If an existing regulator is worn and starting to fail, replacing it is usually a straightforward swap-out procedure, particularly if you're using a model of the same size and from the same manufacturer.
The plumber will still need to measure the pressure and make the replacement, but all the necessary plumbing will usually be in place. Expect to pay between $150 and $250, depending on the type of regulator you choose.
A water pressure regulator is a fairly straightforward device, and the biggest factor in the price will be the material used. At the lower end, aluminum or synthetic valves are less expensive but also less robust. Brass or bronze valves are more costly, but can handle higher pressures and will have a longer lifetime before replacement. As with most plumbing, buying a cheaper device can easily be a false economy.
Some pressure regulator valves also have an in-built water pressure gauge, and while this feature will bump up the price, it makes future pressure testing, monitoring, and maintenance more straightforward.
Because a regulator is fitted right at the inlet of your home's water supply where the pressure is highest, the plumbing work needs to be of the highest quality. Any minor leaks can quickly turn into damaging floods, while inexpert fitting can cause water hammering which puts stress on your plumbing and appliances.
Also, installing a new regulator could mean moving the water meter or shutoff valve, both of which are fairly major pieces of plumbing work.
What's more, the water pressure needs to be accurately measured both before and after installation. Too high a pressure can risk your plumbing and appliances and waste money on energy, water, and sewage bills. Too low a pressure can make your plumbing and appliances perform poorly with frustratingly low water throughput.
For all these reasons, fitting a water pressure regulator is a task best left to a professional, especially considering the low cost usually involved.
❓ Do I need a water pressure regulator?
📅 How long does a regulator last?
🛠 How can I tell when a regulator valve needs replacing?
📝 How often should I test water pressure?