Drains & sewer
Sewer line replacement in Aurora, CO
A sewer lateral that is cracked, root-filled or collapsing along most of its length has reached the end of its service life. We replace the whole line from your house to the city main, and help you choose between open trench and trenchless work.
SERVICE PLATE
- Service
- Sewer Line Replacement
- Typical range
- $5,385 to $9,865
- Area
- Aurora and the east metro
- Hours
- Answered 24/7
- Phone
- (720) 894-1012
Brands we work on every week
Sewer line replacement swaps your entire lateral, from the house to the city main, for new pipe. It's the right call when the camera shows damage along most of the line rather than one bad spot. We offer open trench and trenchless options, pull the permit, and have the new line inspected before the job is closed out.
Open trench or trenchless: which one fits your property?
Open trench replacement digs along the full path of the sewer, removes the old pipe and lays new PVC on a properly sloped bed. It handles bellies, poor slope and badly collapsed pipe well, and it costs less in a yard with open lawn. The tradeoff is a long trench across your landscaping that needs restoration afterward.
Trenchless replacement, usually pipe bursting, pulls new pipe through the old path from two small access pits. It saves driveways, mature trees and patios, and it's often faster. It isn't right for every line, though: severe sags, sharp bends or nearby utilities can rule it out. We compare both on your property and show you the price for each.

What a full replacement includes from start to finish
A complete replacement runs from the house connection, often at a new cleanout just outside the foundation, all the way to the tap at the city main. We set the new pipe on bedding at a steady slope, use solid PVC with glued or gasketed joints, and add a two-way cleanout so future service is easy.
Sewer line replacement usually requires a permit and inspection in Aurora and nearby cities, and we pull the permit. The inspector checks the pipe, slope and connections before backfill. Once approved, we backfill in compacted layers and restore the surface. You'll get camera footage of the new line for your records.
How to plan around a replacement project
Most replacements take one to three days, depending on length, depth, method and the inspection schedule. Plumbing use is limited while the old line is disconnected, so we plan the work to keep that window short. Many families run errands or stay with relatives for an afternoon while the connection is made.
If the main sits in the street, work in the right of way can add steps, like traffic control and street patching. We explain those details up front. It's also a good time to think about other projects: a new cleanout, a backwater valve for a finished basement, or moving the line away from trees you plan to keep.
Pricing
Sewer line replacement cost for Aurora homes
TYPICAL AURORA PRICE RANGES
| Open trench replacement, shorter lateral in lawn | $5,385 to $9,865 |
|---|---|
| Open trench replacement, longer or deeper lateral | $8,945 to $15,785 |
| Trenchless pipe bursting replacement | $7,465 to $14,385 |
| Replacement with new two-way cleanout | $5,965 to $10,845 |
| Street or right of way connection work | $2,465 to $5,985 |
These ranges are typical for Aurora, not a quote. Your final price depends on the line's length, depth, method and what we find when we open the ground.
- Length and depthLonger and deeper laterals need more pipe, more digging and sometimes shoring. A main across a wide street adds length quickly.
- Method chosenOpen trench is often less expensive in an open yard. Trenchless can cost more in labor but saves money on concrete and landscape repair.
- Surface restorationLawn is simple to restore. Driveways, sidewalks, mature trees and retaining walls add cost whether we dig around them or under them.
- Permit and street workPermits, inspections and any work in the public right of way add steps. We include them in the price so you see the full number.
Compare more jobs in our plumbing price guide.
Step by step
How we take a sewer replacement from camera to final inspection
- 01
We study the full camera footage
We go through the video with you and confirm the line needs replacement rather than a spot repair or liner, with the reasons shown on screen.
- 02
We price both methods
You see the cost of open trench and trenchless options side by side, with what each does to your yard, driveway and schedule.
- 03
We handle the permit and 811
We pull the permit and call Colorado 811 so buried utilities are marked before any excavation or access pits are dug.
- 04
We install the new line
New pipe goes in from the house to the city main, with proper slope, sound connections and a cleanout for future access.
- 05
We pass inspection and restore
The inspector signs off, then we backfill, compact, restore the surface and send you camera footage of the finished line.
Warning signs
Signs your sewer lateral is past saving
Defects all along the camera footage
When the video shows roots, cracks or offsets at joint after joint, repairing one section just moves the next failure farther down the line.
Pipe that is collapsing or flattened
Crushed or oval sections restrict flow and trap waste. Once a line starts to collapse, sections usually keep failing near the original damage.
Backups every few months despite cleaning
Frequent backups after regular root cutting mean the line can't hold up anymore. A replacement ends the cycle of emergency calls and cleanup.
Orangeburg or very old clay pipe
Fiber pipe used in some mid-century homes softens and deforms with age. Clay with open joints throughout is another common candidate for replacement.
Several spot repairs already done
If the line has a patchwork of past repairs and new trouble keeps appearing, the remaining old pipe is likely failing evenly along its length.
Sewage odor or wet spots in the yard
A broken lateral can leak into the soil and draw roots and rodents. Odors and soggy ground along the sewer path signal widespread damage.
Aurora notes
Why so many older Aurora laterals are due for replacement
Original Aurora near Colfax and the northwest neighborhoods have many homes from the 1940s and 1950s, where clay and cast iron sewer laterals were standard. After many decades, clay joints let in roots and cast iron rusts thin from the inside. Central Aurora's 1960s and 1970s ranches and split-levels often have aging cast iron laterals too. When the camera shows wear along the full run, replacement is often the most economical path.
Expansive clay soil adds to the wear. It swells when wet and shrinks when dry, shifting buried pipe over the years and opening joints all along the line. Since the sewer line from your house to the city main is generally the homeowner's responsibility, replacement is a cost most Aurora owners plan for. New PVC with good bedding stands up to soil movement far better than old jointed clay.
Related work
Other plumbing jobs that often go with this one

Trenchless Sewer Repair
Pipe lining and pipe bursting renew a damaged sewer line through small access points, saving driveways, trees and lawns.
Learn more
Sewer Line Repair
A cracked, offset or sagging section of sewer pipe dug up and replaced on its own, without redoing the whole line.
Learn more
Sewer Camera Inspection
A waterproof camera shows roots, cracks, sags and pipe material in your sewer line, with recorded video you keep.
Learn more
Sewer Cleanout Installation
A capped access fitting on your sewer lateral that makes future cleaning and camera work faster, cleaner and less costly.
Learn moreQuestions
Sewer Line Replacement questions from Aurora homeowners
How long does a new PVC sewer line last compared to clay?
Properly bedded PVC has tight, solid joints that resist roots and handles soil movement better than short clay sections. It's built for many decades of service. Clay can last a long time too, but its many joints are where roots and shifting soil cause most failures in older Aurora homes.
Do I need a permit to replace my sewer line in Aurora?
Sewer line replacement usually requires a permit and inspection in Aurora and nearby cities, and we pull the permit as part of the job. The inspector checks the pipe, slope and connections before the trench is closed, and the approval goes into the property's record.
Can my sewer line be replaced without digging up the driveway?
Often, yes. Trenchless pipe bursting pulls new pipe through the old path from two small access pits, so the driveway stays intact. It depends on the line's condition, slope and nearby utilities. We check on camera and tell you whether trenchless is a good fit for your property.
Will my homeowners insurance pay for sewer line replacement?
Many standard policies don't cover a lateral that has worn out or filled with roots, though some offer service line coverage as an add-on. Since the line is generally the homeowner's responsibility, check your policy and ask your agent before the project starts.
How much of my yard gets torn up for open trench sewer replacement?
The trench follows the sewer path from the house to the main, usually a strip a few feet wide. We set sod and topsoil aside, backfill in compacted layers and restore the grade. Landscaping directly over the line may need to be removed and replanted afterward.
Coverage
Where we do sewer line replacement around Aurora
These neighborhoods and nearby cities cover most of the households we serve. Not listed? Call and ask.
- Original Aurora, Aurora 80010
- Del Mar, Aurora 80010
- Hoffman Heights, Aurora 80011
- Aurora Hills, Aurora 80012
- Village East, Aurora 80012
- Willow Park, Aurora 80012
- Aurora Knolls, Aurora 80012
- Heather Gardens, Aurora 80014
- Aurora 80012
- Denver 80202
- Centennial 80112
- Parker 80134
- Englewood 80110
- Littleton 80120
- Greenwood Village 80111
- Lone Tree 80124
Need help with sewer line replacement?
Call any time, day or night. A real person answers and tells you what happens next.