Pipe relining fixes a cracked or root-damaged sewer pipe from the inside, with little or no digging. Dig-and-replace removes the old pipe and lays new PVC. Relining is usually less disruptive. Replacement is needed when the pipe has collapsed or sunk badly. As a 2026 estimate, most Sydney residential relining jobs cost about $3,000 to $15,000, depending on pipe length, diameter, access and the number of junctions. A CCTV inspection comes before any quote.
Your plumber has run a camera down the line and found the problem: cracks, roots or a broken section. Now you have a choice. Reline the pipe, or dig it up and replace it?
Both are proper fixes. Both can stop a repeat blockage. But they differ a lot in cost, mess and what they can handle.
This guide compares sewer relining and dig-and-replace side by side, explains what drives pipe relining cost in Sydney, and helps you work out which one makes sense for your home.
Need a CCTV inspection and an honest opinion? Call Jetstar Plumbing on 02 9073 4415. Free call-out fee, 24/7.
What Is Pipe Relining?
Pipe relining is a no-dig sewer and stormwater repair. A flexible liner soaked in resin is pulled or pushed into the damaged pipe, then pressed against the pipe wall and left to cure. Once hard, it forms a new, smooth pipe inside the old one.
The liner seals cracks, gaps and leaking joints. That’s what stops tree roots getting back in.
How relining works, in short
- The pipe is cleared, usually with hydro-jetting.
- A CCTV drain camera checks the pipe and measures the damaged section.
- The resin-soaked liner is put into the pipe through an existing access point.
- The liner is inflated against the old pipe and left to cure.
- Any branch lines (junctions) are reopened and sealed.
- A final camera check confirms the result.
What Is Dig-and-Replace?
Dig-and-replace is the traditional method. The ground above the damaged section is excavated, the old pipe is removed and new pipe (usually PVC) is laid and connected. The trench is then filled and the surface restored.
It’s the right fix when the pipe has collapsed, sunk badly, or is so out of line that a liner can’t follow it.
Pipe Relining vs Dig-and-Replace: Side-by-Side
| Pipe relining (no-dig) | Dig-and-replace | |
| Digging | Little to none | Trench along the damaged section |
| Disruption to gardens, driveways and paths | Low | Higher, plus restoration |
| Handles cracks and root intrusion | Yes | Yes |
| Handles collapsed or badly sunken pipe | Usually not | Yes |
| Fixes poor fall (pipe running uphill) | No, the liner follows the old pipe | Yes, the pipe can be re-laid |
| Pipe diameter after the job | Slightly smaller, due to liner thickness | Same or larger, depending on new pipe |
| Restoration costs | Minimal | Can be large under concrete, tiles or pavers |
| Best for | Damaged pipe that still holds its shape, under hard-to-dig areas | Collapsed, crushed or badly misaligned pipe |
Pipe Relining Cost: What Affects the Price
There isn’t one fair price for every relining job, because no two pipes are the same. These are the factors that set the cost:
| Cost factor | How it affects the price |
| Length of pipe | Relining is usually priced by length. More metres, more liner. |
| Pipe diameter | Bigger pipes need bigger, more expensive liners. |
| Number of junctions | Each branch line joining the main pipe needs reopening and sealing. |
| Access | Good access through an inspection opening keeps it simple. No access may mean creating one. |
| Pipe condition | Heavy roots or debris mean more cleaning before lining. |
| Bends | Some bends need special liners or extra work. |
| Partial vs full relining | Patch repairs on short sections cost less than relining the full line. |
Typical pipe relining price ranges in Sydney (2026 estimates)
These are estimates based on 2026 price guides published by Sydney plumbing and pipe relining companies. They are a guide for budgeting, not a quote.
| Cost component | Typical Sydney range |
| Setup / mobilisation (per job) | About $2,000 to $4,000 |
| Relining, 100mm pipe (most houses) | About $400 to $1,200 per metre |
| Relining, 150mm pipe (larger lines) | About $550 to $1,200 per metre |
| Reopening and sealing each junction | Around $750 per junction |
| Most complete residential relining jobs | About $3,000 to $15,000 |
Why short jobs cost more per metre: the setup cost is roughly the same whether we reline 3 metres or 30. A short patch repair spreads that cost over fewer metres, so the per-metre figure looks higher. Longer runs work out better value per metre.
Comparing quotes: check what’s included. One quote with a lower per-metre rate can finish higher than another once hydro-jetting, CCTV inspection and junctions are added separately.
Your exact price is confirmed after a CCTV drain inspection, before any work starts.
Dig-and-replace cost: what affects the price
- Depth of the pipe: deeper trenches take longer and may need shoring.
- What’s on top: digging through concrete, tiles or pavers costs more than through lawn.
- Restoration: re-laying driveways, paths and gardens can add a lot to the total.
- Length of trench and number of connections to the existing system.
As a rough guide, published Sydney price guides put traditional excavation and replacement at about $15,000 to $50,000 or more where deep pipes, concrete and full restoration are involved. A short, shallow section under open lawn can cost far less, and in that case digging may be the cheaper option.
When comparing quotes, look at the total cost including restoration, not just the pipe work.
Is Pipe Relining Worth It?
For many Sydney homes, yes. Relining is often the better choice when:
- The damaged pipe runs under a driveway, house slab, tiled area or established garden
- The pipe is cracked or root-affected but still holds its shape
- You want the job done with less mess and less restoration
Dig-and-replace is often better when:
- The pipe has collapsed or is badly crushed
- The pipe has sunk and holds water (a “belly”)
- The pipe is under open lawn where digging is simple
- The line needs re-laying with better fall or a new layout, such as during a renovation
Sometimes the best answer is a mix: reline the sections under hard surfaces and dig up a short collapsed part.
The Jetstar Plumbing Process – Step by Step
- Call or book online. Ring 02 9073 4415 or book online. Free call-out fee.
- Clear the line. We get the pipe flowing and clean enough to inspect.
- CCTV drain inspection. We find and measure every damaged section.
- Explain the options. You see the footage and we explain relining vs replacement for your pipe.
- Price and timeframe. We talk you through the cost before any work starts.
- Do the work. Our licensed team relines, replaces, or combines both.
- Final camera check. You see the finished pipe on screen.
Common Mistakes When Choosing Between Relining and Replacement
- Choosing on price per metre alone. Restoration can make a “cheap” dig far more expensive.
- Relining a collapsed pipe. If the pipe has lost its shape, the liner won’t sit properly.
- Skipping the CCTV inspection. Without footage, you’re quoting blind.
- Not asking about junctions. Unsealed branch lines are a common weak point after relining.
- Using an unlicensed operator. Drainage work in NSW must be done by a licensed plumber or drainer. Check a licence on NSW Fair Trading.
- Ignoring who owns the pipe. Property owners are responsible for their private sewer pipes up to and including the point of connection, as shown in Sydney Water’s typical system connections.
Not sure what’s wrong with your pipe yet? Start with our guide to a blocked sewer that keeps coming back, or see our blocked drains service.
Why Sydney Homeowners Trust Jetstar Plumbing
- 20+ years serving homes and businesses across Sydney
- Fully licensed, bonded and insured (Licence 166837C)
- 24/7 emergency plumbing, 7 days a week
- Free call-out fee and a 100% satisfaction guarantee
- Trusted by leading real estate agencies, including Belle Property, LJ Hooker and Stone
We reline and renew sewer and stormwater pipes Sydney-wide, including the Inner West, Eastern Suburbs, North Shore, Hills District and Western Sydney.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does pipe relining cost in Sydney?
As a 2026 estimate, most residential relining jobs in Sydney cost about $3,000 to $15,000, with per-metre rates of about $400 to $1,200 for a standard 100mm pipe plus a setup cost. Your price depends on pipe length, diameter, junctions, access and condition, and is confirmed after a CCTV inspection.
Is pipe relining cheaper than replacing the pipe?
Often, especially when the pipe is under concrete, tiles or gardens, because there’s little digging and restoration. Under open lawn, digging can sometimes cost about the same or less.
Can every pipe be relined?
No. Relining suits pipes that still hold their shape. Collapsed, crushed or badly sunken pipes usually need digging and replacing.
Does relining stop tree roots?
Relining seals the cracks and joints roots use to get in. That’s why it’s a long-term fix for root intrusion, rather than a temporary clean.
Does relining make the pipe smaller?
Slightly. The liner adds a thin layer inside the pipe. Because the new surface is smooth and joint-free, flow is often good.
How long does relining take?
It depends on the length of pipe, the number of junctions and access. We give you a timeframe after the CCTV inspection.
Do I need a CCTV inspection before relining?
Yes. The camera shows where the damage is, how long it is and whether relining is suitable. It’s the basis of an accurate quote.
Get the Right Fix for Your Pipe
Relining or replacement, the right choice starts with seeing inside the pipe. Jetstar Plumbing will inspect, show you the footage and give you straight advice on the best fix for your home and budget.
Call 02 9073 4415 or book online. 24/7, free call-out fee, Sydney-wide.
