Cost guide
What sewer and drain line work costs on Long Island
What public data can and cannot tell you
No government agency publishes a price list for sewer and drain line work on Long Island, and vendor price ranges are not facts. What public data does show is what the labor costs, what the towns charge for permits, and what grants exist. The price for your job comes from licensed pros' written estimates after they see it.
What the trade earns on Long Island
| Occupation | Entry level | Median | Experienced | Jobs on Long Island |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | $55,904 | $80,988 | $110,956 | 4,620 |
| Septic Tank Servicers and Sewer Pipe Cleaners | $43,701 | $58,380 | $68,510 | 320 |
Annual pay from the New York State Department of Labor, updated to the first quarter of 2026. Entry level is the average of the lowest third of wages; experienced is the average of the top two thirds.
What the towns charge
- Town of Hempstead: A sewer permit to install or repair a house sewer is $60 on the Town's Chapter 86 fee printout, dated July 31, 2018.
- Town of Hempstead: Excavating in any highway or sidewalk in the Town, for any purpose, requires a Right-of-Way Permit from the Commissioner of Highways, and each application carries a $300 fee for every four-by-four-foot excavation.
- Town of Babylon: A Town sewer excavation permit costs $50.00, payable in cash or check, and its application must be signed by the Commissioner of Public Works, the contractor and the homeowner.
- Town of Huntington: Huntington's residential and multi-residential sewer connection use fee is $150.00.
What moves the price
Sewer and drain prices turn on whether the line is cleared, lined or dug up, its depth and length, and permits for work in the street.
How to compare estimates
- Give every company the same scope, in writing, so the prices compare.
- Check what each estimate includes: permits, disposal, patching, cleanup and warranties.
- Ask how changes are priced once work starts.
- Never pay most of the price up front.
Related
Questions homeowners ask
How much does a sewer and drain company cost on Long Island?
No public agency publishes job prices. The price comes from written estimates after a licensed pro sees the job. For context, Long Island plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters earn a median $80,988 a year, according to the New York State Department of Labor.
Why do estimates for the same job differ so much?
Usually because they price different scopes: different materials, permits, disposal or warranties. Give each company the same written scope and the prices compare.
Sources
Every fact on this page comes from these official pages. Rules and fees change, so confirm with the office before you file anything.
- New York State Department of Labor, Occupational Wages (Long Island region, wages updated to the first quarter of 2026) (read 2026-11-03)
- Town of Hempstead, Fees Building Department (PDF) (read 2026-11-03; page dated July 31, 2018)
- Town of Hempstead, Road Opening & Road Restoration (read 2026-11-03)
- Town of Babylon, Town Clerk Permits FAQ: Sewer Excavation Permit (read 2026-11-03)
- Town of Huntington, Sanitary Sewer Connection Permit (read 2026-11-03)
Checked 2026-11-03. Facts come only from the official pages listed, read on that date.
Talk the job through before you call anyone
Tell us about the house and the job in about four minutes. Revival calls you, free, to go over the scope, the budget, the timing and your town's permit office. Contractor matches open as our first licensed partners sign.