Leak pricing confuses people because it’s really two services: locating the leak, then repairing it. Each has its own cost drivers.

What drives detection cost

Whether the location is obvious (a dripping ceiling below a bathroom) or hidden (a slab or yard line needing acoustic or thermal equipment).
How large the search area is — “somewhere under the house” takes longer than “this wall.”
Whether the line can be pressure-isolated to narrow the section.

What drives repair cost

Location and access — an under-sink supply line vs. inside a wall vs. under the slab are very different jobs.
Pipe material — copper, PEX, galvanized, and cast iron each repair differently; old galvanized often shouldn’t be patched at all.
Extent — one pinhole vs. a corroded run. Repeated pinholes in the same line usually signal repiping territory.
Restoration — opening a wall or slab means someone has to close it again.

Repair vs. reroute vs. repipe

For slab leaks especially, there are usually three options: spot-repair through the slab, reroute the line overhead, or repipe the affected run. The cheapest today isn’t always the cheapest over five years — a good plumber prices the options and explains the trade instead of picking for you.

Don’t pay to find out where you stand

JB Plumbing offers free estimates on most services and answers 24/7 for the leaks that can’t wait. An honest assessment costs you a phone call.

Expect two conversations: “here’s where it is” and “here are your repair options, priced.” Any quote that skips the first should make you ask questions.