Sump Pump Replacement & Installation in Charlottesville.
Whether your pump is on its last legs or you are prepping a finished basement, we’ll size it right and walk you through the numbers — no commission salespeople, no upsells.
We come out, assess your basement, and give you a written estimate before any work begins. Free on-site quote, financing available.
Same-day estimates available — call before noon.
Request Your Free Quote
Leave your number and we’ll call within 15 minutes to schedule.
Or call us now: (434) 505-4780
“Trouble shot a sump pump. Fixed in minutes.”
Why Charlottesville homeowners choose The Otter Guys
65+ years installing sump pumps in Central Virginia
Since 1960, we’ve installed thousands of sump pumps across Charlottesville, Crozet, Earlysville, and surrounding areas. We know the housing stock — older basements with retrofit pits, new construction discharge to code, finished basements that need quiet pumps.
We size the pump, not the sale
An undersized pump cannot keep up with a storm; an oversized one short-cycles and burns out early. We measure your incoming water volume, basement layout, and discharge run — then recommend the right size for your home.
Free on-site quote, financing in 2 minutes
You see the full install price before we order anything. Free on-site quote, no obligation. 5–15 year financing approved in about 2 minutes. No commission-based salesperson, no upsells in the middle of the job.
10-Year Parts Warranty
On all new sump pump installations
Licensed & Insured
VA License #2705181379
BBB A+ Rated
Accredited business
Charlottesville’s Finest
Gold Award 2023–2025
Signs you may need a new sump pump
Pump won’t turn on
The float switch is up, water is rising, but the motor doesn’t engage. Could be a failed switch, burned-out motor, or a tripped breaker — needs diagnosis before your next storm.
Water in the basement
Standing water or wet spots near the pump pit. Your pump should be moving water out faster than it comes in. If it’s not, you’ve got a capacity problem, a clog, or a dying pump.
Pump runs constantly
Cycling on and off every 30 seconds, or running non-stop even when it’s dry outside. Often a stuck float, a check-valve failure, or a pit that’s too small for your incoming water volume.
Strange noises
Grinding, gurgling, rattling, or a high-pitched whine. The impeller, motor bearings, or check valve may be failing. Catching it early often saves the cost of a full replacement.
Pump is 7+ years old
Most submersible sump pumps last 7–10 years. If yours is approaching that age, a scheduled replacement is far cheaper than an emergency call during a storm at 2 a.m.
No battery backup
If your primary pump runs on house power only, a thunderstorm that knocks out electricity will also knock out your basement protection. A battery backup or water-powered backup is cheap insurance.
Rated 4.9 Stars Across 6,000+ Google Reviews
“Really really great service. I felt seen and like they were going to make sure I was fully taken care of. I had been told they were a great experience, and now have my own story to back it up.”Christy S. Google Review
“Otter Guys Plumbing was great to work with. Communication was clear from the start, letting us know specific arrival times and direct communication from the plumbers themselves. When Ty and Don arrived, they were kind and easy to interact with. They took the time to communicate clearly through every step: diagnosing the problem, explaining what was going on, and what needed to happen moving forward. Pricing was communicated clearly the whole way through — everything felt transparent and straightforward, and we didn’t feel pressured to do more than was necessary.”David P. Google Review
“The Otter Guys were recommended to me by a trusted contractor for a major water problem. They found the issue and brought necessary equipment the following day, clearing the system and restoring normal function. Dylan Harris was especially helpful, explaining the problem and cost options clearly and in terms I could understand. He answered all my questions with knowledge and expertise.”Vivian D. Google Review
Here’s exactly what happens when you call
Free on-site evaluation
Call or book online and we come out at a time that works for you. Your tech inspects your existing pit, current pump (if any), discharge route, and electrical setup. They will discuss your priorities — finished basement, storm-proofing, quiet operation, battery backup.
Written quote, sized to your home
You get a detailed written quote with multiple options: primary pump only, primary + battery backup, water-powered backup, or full system. We explain the trade-offs — no commission salesperson, no pressure. Financing approved in 2 minutes if you need it.
The install
Most replacements run 2–3 hours, full new installs (with a new pit) about half a day. We pull permits if required, install to local code, test the system before we leave, and walk you through the new setup — backed by a 10-year parts warranty, in writing.
Ready for a free sump pump quote?
Whether your basement keeps flooding, your pump is showing its age, or you’re prepping a finished basement — we’ll come out, size the pump to your home, and give you a written quote. Free on-site evaluation. Financing available. No commission salesperson, no pressure.
Frequently Asked Questions
New sump pump installations in Charlottesville typically run $1,100 to $2,100 depending on the type (submersible vs. pedestal, primary only vs. primary + battery backup), the condition of your existing pit and discharge line, and whether we are cutting a new pit. Battery backup add-ons run $500 to $1,500 depending on type. We give you a free on-site quote so you see real numbers before deciding.
It depends on your basement’s incoming water volume, the height your pump has to lift the water (head), and the length of your discharge run. Most Charlottesville homes use 1/3 HP or 1/2 HP submersible pumps. We measure your specific situation rather than guess — an oversized pump short-cycles and burns out; an undersized one cannot keep up in a storm.
If your basement has anything you’d hate to lose — finished space, stored belongings, HVAC equipment — yes. The same storms that flood basements also knock out power. A battery backup runs your pump for several hours during an outage. Water-powered backups (which run off your home’s water pressure) can run indefinitely. We can advise which fits your home.
Yes. We offer 5–15 year financing plans with competitive interest rates. Most homeowners get approved in about 2 minutes. Your technician can walk you through payment options during your free on-site quote, so you can get the right pump without paying the full amount upfront.
A straight pump replacement (existing pit, existing discharge) typically takes 2–3 hours. A new installation that requires cutting a pit, running discharge to the exterior, and dealing with electrical typically takes half a day. Battery backup add-ons take another 1–2 hours. We’ll give you a real time estimate with your written quote.
All new sump pump installations come with a 10-year parts warranty and a 1-year labor warranty, in writing. Most pumps we install carry manufacturer warranties of 3–5 years; we extend that to 10 on our installs.
Whatever’s going on with your sump pump — failed pump, flooded basement, storm-season anxiety, or just an old unit you’ve been meaning to replace — we’ve seen it before. Over 65 years, we’ve helped thousands of Central Virginia homeowners keep their basements dry. You don’t have to figure this out alone.