If you have a basement or cellar in your home, a sump pump is a worthwhile investment. A sump pump ensures that your property is protected from flooding and water damage, reducing the risk of subsidence. 

However, having a sump pump installed in a basement that has not had one previously can be an expensive and labour-intensive process, so it’s understandable that you might be concerned about the costs. 

In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about sump pump installation costs so you can decide if installing one is the right financial decision for your home. This guide includes:

• What is a basement sump pump?
• The average cost of basement sump pump installation
• What’s included in the basement sump pump installation?
• Benefits of basement sump pump installation

 

What is a basement sump pump?

First, it’s essential to understand what a sump pump is. This term refers to a pumping station that contains a submersible sump pump, float switch, and sump chamber. The sump chamber is a hole or pit installed below your basement’s ground level. This acts as a reservoir collecting ground water or flood water that would otherwise affect your property’s foundations. 

The chamber contains a float switch that triggers the pump to kick in if the water level reaches a certain height. The pump then pumps the water out of the basement and away from the property. Once all the water has been pumped out, the float switch tells the powered pump to turn off again. 

 

The average cost of installing a sump pump in a basement 

The sump pump basement installation cost will depend on various factors, including the type of sump pump you want to install, the amount of labour involved, and where you are located in the country. Generally, labour costs will be higher in the south of the UK than in the north, increasing the basement sump pump cost.

However, the most important factor is whether you’re having a replacement sump pump installed or a new one put in. The average cost of a sump pump replacement in a basement is £720 while installing a new sump pump system in a basement is approximately £2,000. This significant price difference is because installing a new sump pump requires a sump pit to be dug, which involves a lot of labour, tools and materials.  

 

What’s included in the basement sump pump installation?

1. Digging the sump

If you have a sump pump professionally installed in an existing basement for the first time, the first job will be to dig the sump pit. This pit or hole is where the plastic sump chamber will be installed below the ground level of your basement. 

The sump pit is usually installed close to a wall so the water can easily be pumped out of the basement. It should also be installed somewhere accessible so the pump station can be maintained regularly. 

To install the sump pit, the installation contractor will need to use a jackhammer to break up the existing concrete floor to create the pit. This is one of the most expensive parts of installing a new sump pump. All items or furniture in the basement will need to be moved for the installation. The basement will need to be redecorated, including laying new flooring, when the installation is complete. When adding a sump pump to your basement, the cost of redecorating and laying new flooring should also be considered.

If you’re converting your basement, it’s wise to factor in the cost of installing the sump pump immediately, as this will be less disruptive and more cost-effective in the long run. When the pump needs to be replaced in the future, the sump chamber will already be there, so installing a sump pump in your basement will cost less.

2. Installing the pump

Whether you have a replacement sump pump installed or a new one, this process will look similar. The pump will be installed in the sump chamber below the ground level and connected to a drainage system or a perimeter drainage channel if you have one. You’ll likely require a qualified electrician to handle the wiring of your pump.

 

Benefits of basement sump pump installation

Although having a basement sump pump installed can be expensive, for most homeowners, the benefits outweigh the installation costs. Here are some of the main benefits of having a sump pump installed in your basement or cellar. 

• Reduces the risk of flooding. This is especially important if you live in a low-lying area, near a river, or somewhere with a high risk of flooding.
• Protects your basement from water damage. If you’re planning on spending money to renovate your basement, the last thing you want is for it to be destroyed by water.
• Cost-effective in the long run. Although installing a sump pump requires an initial financial investment, it can prevent costly water damage issues in the long term.
• Lowers the risk of electrical fires. Electrical appliances in basements can be affected by flooding, causing them to short-circuit and potentially start an electrical fire. 
• Reduces mould and mildew in your basement. Mould grows best in dark and damp areas like basements prone to flooding. Installing a sump pump helps your basement stay dry, reducing the likelihood of mould forming. 
• Lowers your house insurance. Taking the proper flooding precautions can reduce your premiums since it’s now less likely your basement will flood. However, you should check with your insurer before you factor this into the installation cost.
• Increases the value of your home. Having a basement increases your home’s value, but prospective buyers might be wary without a sump pump installed. They might even ask for £2000 (or more) off the asking price to cover the cost of installing one themselves. 

 

Basement and cellar pumping stations

Sumps and Pumps offers a range of basement pumping stations at competitive prices. We offer both single and twin pump systems to suit a range of basement sizes and requirements. 

If you’re looking for a cost-effective way to waterproof your basement and protect it from future flooding, we stock a range of budget-friendly pumping stations. These typically require some assembly, which is how we can offer some of the lowest-priced basement sump pumps in the UK.

We also have high water level alarms, battery backups, pump control panels, and waterproofing products, so you can rely on our shop for all your sump pump installation needs. 

You can browse our full range of sump pumps, pumping stations and accessories in our online shop. Or, if you’d like some advice about the best option for your basement, please feel free to contact our helpful team.