HomeGuide's 2026 national figure for trenching is $5 to $12 a foot, so 100 feet runs $500 to $1,200. Pittsburgh trenches often meet rock, steep runs and old lines.
Prices on this page are national ranges from HomeGuide, not quotes from us. On Pittsburgh lots, the slope, the rock, the access up the street and the distance to the dump change the real number. Figures checked October 2026.
What is the trenching cost for a 100-foot trench in Pittsburgh?
Trenching cost for 100 feet is $500 to $1,200 at $5 to $12 per foot, per HomeGuide. A 50-foot run is $250 to $600. Labor is $35 to $65 per hour. Rock and depth push a Pittsburgh trench to the top of the range or past it.
Who do I hire for a water line, and what does it cost?
For a water line, hire a plumber licensed by the Allegheny County Health Department, which licenses plumbers and permits plumbing work in the county; an excavator can dig the trench. Nationally, water line replacement costs $2,000 to $5,000, or $50 to $200 per foot trenched, per HomeGuide. Lead service lines must be fully replaced, not patched.
How deep must a water line be to stay below the frost?
A water line must be buried below the frost depth that the plumbing code and the water utility set, and the plumber confirms the figure. Pittsburgh winters freeze and thaw the ground many times, so a shallow line is asking for trouble.
What does sewer line replacement cost in Pittsburgh?
Sewer line replacement is $50 to $250 per foot, or $2,000 to $10,000 for 40 feet, by HomeGuide. Nationally, pipe bursting costs $60 to $200 per foot and lining $90 to $250, per HomeGuide. A camera inspection at $125 to $500 shows the problem first.
What does a trench for an electric line to a garage cost?
A trench for an electric line to a garage or shed costs the usual $5 to $12 per foot, per HomeGuide. An electrician runs the wire and sets the depth; we dig and backfill. Pennsylvania has no statewide electrician license, so check what your municipality requires.
What does a gas or propane line cost underground?
Nationally, a gas line costs $12 to $25 per foot, or $350 to $1,000 or more, per HomeGuide. A qualified plumber or the gas utility installs and tests it. Propane lines follow the supplier's rules.
Can a line be bored under the driveway in Pittsburgh?
Yes. Directional boring under a driveway costs $10 to $30 per foot, or $1,000 to $3,000 for 100 feet, per HomeGuide. It saves breaking a drive or a set of concrete steps.
Can water and sewer share the same trench?
Water and sewer can share the same trench only where the plumbing code's separation rules are met, by distance or by height. The plumber designs the layout, and the county inspector checks it.
Can you trench near tree roots or close to the house in Pittsburgh?
Yes. Near trees, we route around the root zone or bore under it. Close to the house, especially an old stone foundation, we stay off the footing and backfill the same day.
For a price on your own property, call or text (412) 501-2259. We see the site, then give you the scope and price in writing.