Published national guides put trenchless sewer repair at about $60 to $250 per foot. Pipe lining, also called cured-in-place pipe, runs about $80 or $90 up to $250 per foot depending on the source. Those are national ranges from named websites, not quotes from us and not Utah prices. Your real cost depends on pipe length, condition and access. We show where each range comes from and why a camera comes first.
We do not publish a price list. This page shows where each range comes from, how the three main repair methods compare and why we run a camera before we say a word about price.
The national numbers, and who published them
The figures below were read from each publisher's own page. They are national or typical ranges, so treat them as a way to compare methods, not as a bid. Each source updates its numbers, so check the current page.
| Source and date | Trenchless overall | Pipe lining (CIPP) | Pipe bursting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Angi, updated Jul 31, 2026 | $60 to $250 per foot | Not split out | Not split out |
| HomeAdvisor, updated Jun 19, 2026 | $60 to $250 per foot | $90 to $250 per foot | $60 to $200 per foot |
| Bob Vila, modified Jan 2023 | $60 to $250 per foot | $80 to $250 per foot | $60 to $200 per foot |
National figures, not a quote and not Utah prices. Bob Vila's page uses per foot in one place and per square foot in another for lining, so we use its per-foot figure.
Lining, bursting and open trench compared
| Method | What happens | Digging needed | Works best when | Limits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pipe lining (CIPP) | A resin-soaked liner is pulled into the old pipe and cured to form a pipe inside a pipe | Small access points | The pipe has cracks, joints leaking or root entry but is not collapsed | Liner is slightly smaller, will not fix a collapse or a deep sag |
| Pipe bursting | A head breaks the old pipe while pulling in a new one | Entry and exit pits | The pipe is badly damaged or collapsed | Needs pits and clear paths for the head |
| Open trench | The old pipe is dug out and replaced | Full trench along the line | Pipe is shallow, collapsed or needs regrading | Most surface restoration |
HomeAdvisor and Angi both list $4 to $12 per foot just to dig a trench, which excludes the pipe, labor and restoring the yard.
Why the camera comes first
A sewer camera inspection shows what the pipe is, how long it runs, where it is cracked and whether it can take a liner. HomeAdvisor lists a video sewer inspection at $100 to $500 nationally. That is a small part of the total and it prevents a wrong guess.
- Clear the lineRoots and scale must be cut out so the camera and a liner can pass. A sewer line repair decision comes after, not before.
- Run the cameraWe push a camera down the cleanout and record the pipe. A sewer camera inspection shows cracks, offsets, bellies, roots and the pipe material.
- Locate the defectA locator on the surface marks the depth and position of each defect so the repair is planned from facts.
- Choose the methodWith the video in hand, you and the plumber compare lining, bursting and trench for your pipe.
When lining does not work
Signs lining may not be the answer
- The pipe has collapsed or is crushed, since a liner needs an open channel to fit inside
- A deep sag or belly holds water, because a liner follows the shape of the pipe and will not remove the sag
- A severe offset at a joint, which the liner cannot bridge cleanly
- A pipe that is already small, because the liner reduces the inside diameter slightly
- Heavy root growth that cannot be fully cleared first
Need a plumber right now?
The 24/7 line is open. A dispatcher will book a licensed plumber.
What moves the price up or down
Length of the run
Per-foot pricing means a long line costs much more than a short one.
Number of access points
Each pit or cleanout adds labor and restoration.
Pipe condition
Clearing roots and prepping the pipe takes time before any liner goes in.
Under hardscape
A line under a driveway or slab is harder to reach by any method.
Permits and restoration
Permit rules vary by job, so ask the Saratoga Springs building department. Landscaping and surface work add to the total.
What the per-foot ranges mean for a sample line
Here is arithmetic, not a quote. A 50-foot line priced at the national trenchless range of $60 to $250 per foot works out to $3,000 to $12,500 before any extras. A 100-foot line doubles both ends.
The spread is wide because the ranges blend easy jobs and hard ones. That is why the camera, the defect map and a written scope matter more than any national average.
How to compare quotes fairly
Ask each contractor for
- The method named in the scope: lining, bursting or open trench
- The length of pipe covered, with footage written down
- Whether root cutting and pipe cleaning are included before the liner goes in
- Where access pits are dug and who restores the surface
- Whether a post-repair camera video is provided
Overall sewer replacement averages
For context, HomeAdvisor reports an average of $2,600 for a main sewer replacement nationally, with most homeowners spending $1,388 to $5,323. That is not split by method, so it does not tell you whether lining would be cheaper for your pipe.
Where we work
We take sewer calls in Saratoga Springs and nearby towns, including Lehi and American Fork. Call (385) 488-1892 and we will schedule a camera visit, then give you a clear price before work starts.
Saratoga Springs: who handles what on the sewer system
Saratoga Springs Public Works operates the sanitary sewer collection system, and Timpanogos Special Service District treats the sewage. The city's page says backups inside buildings are generally caused by blockages in the building's own piping, so camera your own line before paying for a repair that may not be needed.
The city page does not say who owns the lateral, so ask Public Works before assuming. If any repair needs digging, call 811 at least three business days ahead through Blue Stakes of Utah, since utilities do not mark lines they do not own.
Source: city sewer page and Blue Stakes excavator guide
Frequently asked questions
Manufacturers state design lives for their products, but real life depends on installation and pipe condition. Ask the installer for the product's documented design life and what warranty paper they provide.
Not always. Per-foot figures overlap. Lining often saves on landscaping and driveway restoration, which is where trench jobs add cost. A camera and a written scope are the only way to compare.
No. A liner follows the shape of the pipe, so a sag stays. Collapsed pipe and deep bellies usually need bursting or replacement.
Yes. The video shows the defects, the pipe size and whether a liner will fit. It also gives you a record to compare quotes against.
Blue Stakes asks you to call 811 at least three business days before digging. Even trenchless work often needs an access pit, so ask your contractor who makes the call.
Still unsure? Call (385) 488-1892
Sources and references
Local facts on this page come from public pages like these. The city lists the 2021 International Plumbing Code (IPC) as adopted, and permit rules vary by job, so ask the Saratoga Springs building department before work starts. Page last reviewed 2026-10-15.