Water softener installation cost: what's included
Install is part of our flat price. Here's what that covers.
Installation is part of your total price. Here's what goes into it, what a licensed install includes, and how to get your exact price.
- Install included
- Licensed plumbers
- Extras quoted first
- Hardness
- Enter ZIP
- The system you need
- City Water System
- Estimate
- $300 to $1,500
An estimate, not your final price. The range is an estimate, not your final price. Get your exact number:
Want the answer for your home?
Tell us your ZIP code and a rep calls you within 5 minutes to answer every question. No pressure, no sales visit.
You're probably on this page because:
- You found a low price that didn't include install
- You don't want surprise charges on install day
- You're wondering if you can install it yourself
Install should be in the price, not a surprise.
What dealers really charge
- $5,750: the median documented Culligan softener quote, installed.
- $5,500: the median documented Kinetico quote.
- 15 to 25% of a dealer quote can go to sales costs.
Sources: TapWaterData documented quotes; installer estimate via Mid Atlantic Water.
What's in a standard install
- Connecting at the main water line, before the water heater
- Bypass valve so you can shut it off without shutting off the house
- Drain line for recharging, with a proper air gap
- RO under the kitchen sink on complete systems
- Setup, programming and a before-and-after test
What can add to install
- Long pipe runs from the main line to the system
- No drain or outlet nearby
- Moving plumbing or adding a loop
- Trenching on some properties
- Local permits, where required
All quoted before you book. Never at install.
Range to confirm with the owner.
Life with it vs. without
| Without it | With it |
|---|---|
| Hidden install fees | Install in the price |
| DIY leaks and code issues | A licensed, insured plumber |
How we work, start to finish
- 1
You reach out or book online
- 2
A rep calls you, usually within 5 minutes, to confirm your system and answer questions
- 3
We schedule a licensed local plumber, usually within a week
- 4
Install day: a few hours, plus a before-and-after water test
- 5
After that: new filters every 6 months if you subscribe
Our take
Why we don't recommend DIY installs
We've priced and sold [thousands] of systems, and we wholesale equipment to other water companies, so we see both sides of the price tag.
You can buy a softener and install it yourself. Some handy homeowners do. But a softener ties into your main water line, needs a drain with an air gap so wastewater can't back up into your supply, and in many areas needs a permit and a licensed plumber.
The mistakes we fix most from DIY jobs: no bypass valve, a drain line without an air gap, and the softener installed after the water heater, so the heater never gets soft water. Our flat price includes a licensed install, and our warranty and guarantee depend on it.
Licensed plumbers on every job
Every install is done by a licensed, insured partner plumber.
- 20+ years in water
- Our own patents
- We supply other water companies
- [Thousands] of systems sold
- Licensed installers
More Cost Pages
Related Pages
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to install a water softener?
With us, install is included in the flat price. Extras are quoted before you book.
How long does installation take?
Usually a few hours, in one visit.
Do I need a permit?
Some areas require one. Our plumber handles it.
Can I install a water softener myself?
You can, but it needs a drain with an air gap and often a permit. We recommend a licensed plumber.
Where does the softener go?
Where the main line enters, before the water heater, near a drain and outlet.
What if I don't have a drain nearby?
We quote the extra work before you book.