The pit is filling, but the pump is quiet. Or yours still works and you want to replace it before the next storm. Either way, the first thing to price is a swap in the pit you already have.
So sump pump replacement is $850 to $1,650 on Valley Plumbing’s Salt Lake City price table when the existing pit is in good condition. Its combined primary and battery backup installation is $2,200 to $3,800.
I will show you which pump goes in, when a backup changes the bill, and what homeowners reported paying. Digging a new pit is a separate job.
A Replacement or a New Installation?
Valley Plumbing separates its work this way, checked October 17, 2026. These are its regular prices before membership discounts and any after-hours surcharge:
Valley Plumbing adds $95 to $150 for nights, weekends or holidays. Its $89 to $129 service call fee is waived if you go ahead with the repair.
A quote that includes concrete cutting is not a simple replacement. The same goes for a new outdoor discharge route. Those jobs need more work even if the pump model stays the same.
Ask for the pump model, check valve, disposal, discharge changes and any electrical work on the estimate. That gives you something useful to compare with another plumber’s quote.
Pedestal or Submersible Pump?
Before the plumber orders a pump, it helps to know which kind sits in your pit now.
The pedestal design keeps its motor above the pit on a tall shaft. A submersible pump sits down in the water. Make sure the replacement fits the basin and leaves room for its float to move freely.
Ask the plumber which type and size they plan to fit, and why. Housing material, switch design and the amount of water a pump can move at your discharge height all affect the choice.
What a Battery Backup Adds
A battery backup package includes more than a loose battery. The Valley Plumbing package has a second pump and controls, so it can take over when the primary pump loses power.
If your basement is finished, think about what happens during an outage while water keeps entering. A working primary pump still needs electricity, and a second electric pump on the same supply does not solve that problem.
Ask how long the included battery can run the backup pump at your home’s pumping rate.
What Owners Paid and Were Quoted
These posts come from DC Urban Moms’ Washington-area home improvement forum. They show how the scope changes a bill, with older prices kept at their original dates:
- On July 27, 2021, one homeowner recalled $400 to $500 for a plumber to replace the pump. The post used “pretty sure”, so the amount is approximate.
- Another homeowner in that thread recalled about $2,800 including the battery, also on July 27, 2021. They acknowledged that their memory of the total was fuzzy.
- On August 17, 2023, an owner replacing an existing pump and battery backup received a quote above $2,000 including installation.
Check the Discharge Before Buying Another Pump
A pump cannot remove water from your property if the outlet sends it straight back toward the foundation. A blocked or frozen pipe also needs attention; changing the pump alone leaves that problem in place.
Valley Plumbing publishes $385 to $985 for discharge line repair or extension, separately from a pump swap. It also prices pit cleanout or float switch work at $185 to $485.
That smaller repair is worth considering if the motor is sound and the fault is a stuck switch or debris. Ask the plumber what failed before choosing a whole new pump.
Local rules also affect where the water can go. The City of Reading, Michigan, prohibits groundwater sump discharge into its sanitary sewer and directs it outside to a yard or drain way that does not send it directly into the street.
That is Reading’s rule. Your local building or sewer department can tell you the permitted route and whether the proposed work needs a permit.
Sump Pump Questions You Might Have
Is a battery included with a backup pump?
Valley Plumbing’s installed backup package includes a secondary pump, a sealed battery and a transfer switch.
Can I replace a sump pump myself?
A straightforward swap may suit someone comfortable with the plumbing and the manufacturer’s instructions. If the pit, discharge or electrical supply needs changing, have that work assessed before buying parts. Stay out of standing water near electrical equipment.
Will a new pump fix every wet basement?
No. Water must reach the pit and then leave through a working discharge. A drainage or grading problem needs its own repair.
Is this the same as replacing a sewage ejector pump?
No. This guide prices groundwater sump pumps. A pump serving a basement toilet needs equipment intended for sewage.
Where These Prices Come From
- Valley Plumbing, Salt Lake City sump pump price table, checked October 17, 2026.
- City of Reading, Michigan, sump pump discharge rules, checked October 17, 2026.
- DC Urban Moms homeowner posts dated July 27, 2021 and August 17, 2023, linked above.
I hope this helps you get the right pump without paying for work your pit does not need. You can send questions to costcheckr@gmail.com.
