M-206 Home Systems
Sump pump installation that still runs when the power fails
A sump pump collects the water around your foundation in a pit and pumps it outside. In Toronto a new pit and pump typically costs $1,200 to $2,500, and it needs no building permit.
- Typical cost
- $1,200–
$2,500 - Timeline
- About 1 day on site
- Permit
- No building permit (Toronto)
- Prices checked
- 2026
- Free on-site estimates
- In-house engineering department
- Pump and battery priced separately
Free, no-obligation estimate. We typically reply within 24 hours.
M-206.1 Why MKC
Why choose MKC for sump pump installation
A pump only helps if it runs, and a heavy storm can take the power out with it. That is why a battery backup is worth pricing with the pump. The pit is set in the basement slab, the pump is matched to the water your foundation drains bring in, and the discharge runs outside to a spot that drains away from the house. The installation is done by a City-licensed drain or plumbing contractor. We only use ECRA/ESA-licensed electrical contractors to perform any electrical work.
Battery backup and a high-water alarm
A backup system runs the pump from a battery when the power is out, and an alarm warns you when water in the pit rises too high. Toronto’s flood subsidy treats the battery backup as its own item, so the invoice has to list the pump and the battery as separate lines.
M-206.2 Scope
What’s included
- M-206.1New sump pit and pumpThe slab is cut, a pit liner is set in the floor and a submersible pump goes in.
- M-206.2Pump replacementA worn or undersized pump swapped out in the existing pit, with a new check valve.
- M-206.3Battery backupA battery system that takes over when the power goes out during a storm.
- M-206.4Discharge linePipe run outside to a point that drains away from your foundation and the neighbours.
- M-206.5High-water alarmAn alarm that sounds when water in the pit rises past its normal level.
- M-206.6Dedicated circuitA dedicated GFCI circuit for the pump, installed by a licensed electrical contractor.
M-206.3 Cost guide
What it costs
in Toronto & the GTA
A new sump pit and pump typically runs $1,200 to $2,500 installed, before any City subsidy.
New pit and pump set in the basement floor, installed, before any subsidy
Installing a sump pump in Toronto needs no building permit, so there is no approval to wait for. Most installations are planned as a single day on site. A pit in a finished basement, a long discharge run or new electrical work can add time, and the concrete around the pit needs time to cure.
Every project is different, so your estimate comes with its own written schedule, and we aim to beat the usual industry timeline on every job.
| Level of work | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| Pump replaced in existing pitNew submersible pump and check valve in the pit you already have, with labour. | $400– |
| New pit and pumpSlab cut, pit dug and set, pump, discharge pipe, check valve and a dedicated electrical connection. | $1,200– |
| New pit, pump & battery backupThe new pit and pump, plus a battery backup system that runs the pump in a power failure. | $1,500– |
| Item | Typical price |
|---|---|
| Sump pit excavation and installation | $500– |
| Submersible pump | $150– |
| Discharge pipe and check valve | $100– |
| Dedicated GFCI electrical circuit | $150– |
| Battery backup add-on | $300– |
Worked examples
- Example 1
Toronto house with an unfinished basement and no pit: new pit, pump and discharge line
$1,200–$2,500 - Example 2
The same job with a battery backup system added
$1,500–$3,500 - Example 3
Existing pit in good condition: pump and check valve replaced
$400–$1,800
What moves the number
- 01New pit or existing pit
Cutting the slab and setting a pit is the largest single line, about $500 to $1,000. Replacing a pump in a pit you already have runs $400 to $1,800.
- 02Battery backup
A backup system adds roughly $300 to $1,000, depending on the battery and how long it has to carry the pump.
- 03Electrical connection
A dedicated GFCI circuit for the pump adds about $150 to $300, and more when the panel is far from the pit.
- 04Discharge route
Discharge pipe and a check valve run $100 to $300. A long route, or a finished wall to pass through, adds labour.
- 05Pump size
The pump itself ranges from about $150 to $400. A pump sized to move more water sits at the top of that range.
Rebates, subsidies and tax credits
- Up to $2,250 + $300 batteryToronto Basement Flooding Protection Subsidy Program
Up to 80% of the invoiced cost, one sump pump per property. Denied unless the contractor and any subcontractor hold a valid City plumbing, drain or building renovator licence. Downspouts disconnected, no City debts, apply within 2 years. First-come, first-served.
Program rules
Ranges cover labour and materials before HST and before any subsidy. Finished-floor repairs and panel upgrades are extra. Replacement prices rest on two published sources that differ. Prices checked in 2026. Not a quote: your estimate is built from your own measurements and choices.
Where these numbers come from
- Basement Flooding Protection Subsidy Program, City of Toronto (2026)
- When Do I Need a Building Permit?, City of Toronto, Toronto Building (2026)
- Published 2026 price guides and GTA contractor price pages (2026)
G-003 How we work
How we deliver your sump pump installation
- 1
Free Estimate
Tell us what you have in mind. We review your space and goals and give you a clear estimate at no cost.
- 2
Design + Permits
Our in-house designers model your project in 3D so you can see it and settle every choice. Our in-house engineering team prepares drawings, engineering letters and permit applications.
- 3
Material Procurement
We order cabinets, tile, stone, pavers and decking from trusted suppliers such as Unilock, Techo-Bloc, TimberTech and Trex, and schedule deliveries around the work.
- 4
Construction Process
Our crews build to code with site supervision and regular updates, so you always know where things stand.
- 5
Project Completion
Final inspection, walkthrough and clean-up. On time, within budget and beyond expectations. That is the MKC Guarantee.
Plan your project
with a free estimate.
We review your space and goals and give you a clear estimate at no cost.
M-206.4 Questions
Questions about sump pump installation
Don’t see your question? Call (647) 637-6052 or ask in your estimate request.
How much does sump pump installation cost in Toronto?
Typical cost in Toronto and the GTA: $1,200 to $2,500 (New pit and pump set in the basement floor, installed, before any subsidy). By level of work: Pump replaced in existing pit: $400 to $1,800; New pit and pump: $1,200 to $2,500; New pit, pump & battery backup: $1,500 to $3,500. The biggest factor is whether a pit already exists, because cutting the slab and setting a new pit is the largest part of the job. Battery backup, the electrical circuit and the discharge route add to it. These are typical ranges, before HST, with prices checked in 2026; your estimate is built from your own measurements and choices.
Do I need a permit to install a sump pump in Toronto?
No. The City of Toronto does not require a building permit to install a sump pump. The new circuit for the pump is separate: electrical work is done by a licensed electrical contractor under an ESA permit. Other GTA municipalities set their own rules, so we check yours before work starts.
Is there a Toronto subsidy for sump pumps?
There may be. The Basement Flooding Protection Subsidy Program offers up to 80 per cent of the invoiced cost, to a maximum of $2,250 for one sump pump and up to $300 more for a battery backup. The City denies the subsidy unless the contractor and every subcontractor hold a valid City of Toronto licence when the work is done: plumbing, plumbing and heating, drain or building renovator. Downspouts must be disconnected, front-yard paving must meet zoning and you apply within two years. Submitting an application does not guarantee a subsidy.
How do I check the contractor’s licence before work starts?
Use the City of Toronto’s Business Licence Lookup, and check every company that will work on the job, subcontractors included. The City asks for an original invoice from each licensed contractor with a subsidy application, and it denies funding for work done by a contractor without a valid licence. Ask who will do the installation, and under which licence, before you sign.
Do I need a battery backup?
A standard sump pump stops when the power does. A backup system keeps it running from a battery, and it adds about $300 to $1,000 to the job. It is worth pricing wherever the basement is finished or used for storage. Toronto’s subsidy lists the battery backup as a separate item, capped at $300.
Sump pump or backwater valve: which one do I need?
They deal with different water. A sump pump removes groundwater that the foundation drains collect around the house. A backwater valve stops the City sewer from backing up through your basement drains. The City of Toronto lists both seepage and sewer backup as causes of basement flooding, and some houses need both devices. We find out which one you have before recommending either.
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