How Much Does a Plumber Cost?
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Homeowners can solve any plumbing problem by hiring a licensed plumber to repair leaky pipes or even install a new sink. How much does a plumber cost? A plumber will run $180 to $489, or an average of $331.
Highlights
- The typical cost range to hire a plumber is between $180 and $489, with a national average of $331.
- The main factors affecting the cost to hire a plumber are the plumber’s expertise level, type of service, job complexity, supplies, labor, and geographic location.
- Hiring a professional plumber for a project can be beneficial due to their training and expertise, specialized tools, emergency service, long-term solutions, ability to deal with complex issues, warranty protection, and efficiency.
- Some minor plumbing tasks may be performed by homeowners or renters themselves. However, a professional will be able to carry out this work safely and efficiently and be better equipped to handle larger issues that are not straightforward DIYs.
Plumbing is a much-appreciated but often forgotten part of a home. It’s the network of materials that make sure the water and sewer systems work appropriately behind the scenes so a home’s inhabitants can enjoy their modern conveniences. A homeowner will need to hire a plumber when installing any new fixtures that use water and especially when there’s a necessary repair. DIY plumbing repair is a recipe for disaster; a homeowner can accidentally create a much bigger problem when they use the wrong tool or secure a fixture improperly. So just how much does a plumber cost? According to HomeAdvisor, the price range for a plumber is $180 to $489, or an average of $331. These costs usually cover tasks like toilet repair, faucet installation, and leaky pipe repair. Whether a homeowner is dealing with a burst pipe or budgeting for small kitchen remodel costs, this list of considerations will help them make sense of plumbing prices.
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Factors in Calculating Plumber Cost
Plumbing costs can vary due to the job’s complexity, the materials needed, and the length of time the job will take. Also, homeowners can expect to pay more for emergency plumbing service, especially if it’s after hours. The average plumber cost per hour is $45 to $200, depending on several factors. Some people use a plumbing cost estimator to get an idea of the cost of their project, but accounting for the following factors will provide homeowners with a rough idea.
Plumber’s Expertise Level
Master plumbers work their way up from apprentice to journeyman first. Apprentices often accompany master plumbers until they receive their own certification. Their services will have the lowest costs of about $45 to $90 per hour. Journeypeople are certified to complete most common household plumbing repairs independently with an hourly rate of $70 to $120. Master plumbers charge approximately $90 to $200 an hour or more, but they’re qualified to handle complex plumbing tasks.
Service Type
Plumbers perform a wide variety of services, from fixing small leaks, unclogging drains, replacing plumbing pipes, and putting in showers to installing and maintaining water, sewer, or gas lines. They can also install systems like water heaters and softeners or purification systems. These services can vary greatly in cost depending on the complexity. Fixing leaks and fixing clogs are among the cheapest services, usually running between $150 and $450. On the other hand, having a plumber install a bathtub can cost anywhere from $4,150 to $11,000. Types of plumbing services will be covered in more detail below.
Job Complexity
As with most repair jobs that require a skilled laborer, a complex job will cost more than a simple one. This is one reason a homeowner can hire a handyperson or journeyman plumber to unclog a garbage disposal but will need a master plumber for a main line issue or undetected leak. More complex jobs also take longer to complete, which means a homeowner will pay more labor costs.
Supplies
Some plumbing jobs don’t require extensive materials, but others do. For instance, if the project entails replacing an old faucet, the price will include the cost of the faucet and any other plumbing parts that need updating, in addition to the cost of standard supplies like caulk. Replumbing a portion of the house includes extensive materials and supplies that will increase the cost.
Labor
Homeowners can generally expect to pay between $45 and $200 per hour for a plumber, depending on the factors above. Some plumbers charge a flat fee of around $100 to $400 for basic jobs for clients who are within a specified radius. Those who live outside of this radius may be responsible for a callout fee of $50 to $300. Fees for more complex projects, like bathroom remodel costs, are likely to be charged by the hour. Extra costs will also be incurred for emergency service, especially on holidays.
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Geographic Location
Geographic location affects the cost of hiring a plumber, since skilled laborers have a higher hourly rate in most urban cities. Additionally, if the region has a shortage of plumbers, the increased demand may have boosted rates more than usual. Homeowners can enter their ZIP code into a plumbing cost calculator to determine the average rate for their location.
Additional Costs and Considerations
The complexity of a job, timing, and plumber’s experience level aren’t the only factors that determine how much a plumber costs. Homeowners will also want to take into consideration service fees, haul-away fees, trip fees, and the extent of the repair. Depending on the situation, some of these costs may apply to the total price for plumbing repairs.
Permits
Small repair jobs don’t require a permit to complete the task. Still, if a plumbing job involves the sewer line, inaccessible pipes, newly installed plumbing, plumbing rerouting, or water heater installations, a plumber will be able to obtain the proper permit from local authorities. The cost of this will vary from location to location but can run anywhere from $30 to $500.
Service and Diagnostic Fees
Plumbing companies may charge extra fees to ensure costs are covered. Service call fees generally range between $100 and $350 to cover the cost of materials and travel time, and this typically covers the first hour of work as well. If there’s a leak that’s difficult to locate, there may be an additional diagnostic fee.
Haul-Away Fees
While there won’t be haul-away fees for minor repairs and upgrades, any significant plumbing work replacing existing materials will include a haul-away fee to dispose of the excess materials properly. In some states, special disposal requirements could apply depending on the material and the existence of hazardous components.
Trip Fee
Many plumbers charge a trip fee. A trip fee covers the distance plumbers travel between jobs and supply locations, and the cost ranges from $50 to $300. The farther a home is from a plumber’s service area, the higher the trip fee could be. If a home is within the plumber’s service area, a homeowner will pay only the lowest trip fee or none at all. Alternatively, some plumbers don’t charge a trip fee, but they charge a minimum 1- to 2-hour service fee regardless of how long they stay.
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Emergency Fees
On average, plumbers charge time and a half or triple the standard hourly rate for after-hours repairs. This could be charged as a flat-rate fee of $100 to $350 on top of the hourly rate. While it isn’t typically expected that clients tip a plumber, some homeowners may deem it appropriate if the professional has to come out after hours or on a holiday.
Water Damage Repair
Unfortunately, there are times when a significant leak causes damage to another part of the house. For severe pipe bursts, water damage becomes the highest cost of a plumbing repair. A homeowner will likely need to hire one of the best water damage restoration services to help repair the damage to other materials. Water damage restoration costs usually run between $1,000 and $5,000.
Additional Repairs
Major water damage repairs are only part of what may need attention after a pipe bursts in a house. Depending on the severity and location of the leaking pipes, some of the internal electrical wirings could have been compromised by water damage; an electrician can cost $50 to $130 per hour, on average. Repairing damaged drywall costs an average of $500, though costs could fall above or below that average depending on the extent of the damage. If the water damage has affected the carpets, all or part of the carpet will need to be replaced. Carpet installation costs $785 to $2,805 if the carpet is unable to be saved. A sewer pipe leak means the lawn will need to be torn up during repairs; a new lawn costs between $400 and $4,520 to replace the sod or overseed patches damaged by heavy equipment.
Plumbing Inspection
Not everyone has heard of a plumbing inspection before. It’s a helpful tool for people looking to purchase an older home or a home with possible signs of plumbing problems. A plumber can do a home inspection to determine the state of a plumbing system from top to bottom so the homeowner can have any potential issues addressed before they become major (and expensive) problems.
General Plumber vs. Plumbing Contractor
The word “plumber” is often used interchangeably when referring to any task that involves plumbing; however, there is a difference between a plumber and a plumbing contractor. A plumber, also sometimes called a family plumber, works on repairs or small installations and is the person to call for emergencies. A plumbing contractor is who to hire for a bathroom remodel, new construction project, or home addition.
Types of Plumbing Services
No two plumbing repairs are the same. Plumbers could encounter a challenge that wasn’t initially identified over the phone, or the repair could turn out to be a lesser disaster than expected. From burst pipes and clogged drains to radiator repairs and water heater installations, the types of plumbing repairs cover the spectrum—and so do the costs. The following are the most common types of plumbing services and their costs
| Type of Service | Cost |
| Ceiling pipe repair | $500 to $2,500 |
| Clearing clogs | $150 to $350 |
| Leaky or burst pipe repairs | $150 to $4,000 |
| Main line leak repairs | $350 to $1,550 |
| Plumbing replacement | $50 to $12,000 |
| Radiator repair | $60 to $80 |
| Rerouting plumbing | $150 to $1,200 |
| Septic tank repair | $650 to $2,950 |
| Sink installation | $230 to $6,500 |
| Slab leak repair | $500 to $4,000 |
| Sump pump installation or repair | $325 to $2,050 |
| Water heater installation or repair | $250 to $5,500 |
| Well pump repair | $350 to $1,500 |
| Whole-house plumbing | $4,000 to $12,000 |
Ceiling Pipe Repair
Depending on the plumbing system and the leak’s location, it may be necessary for a homeowner to call a plumber for a ceiling pipe repair. If the problem is severe, a plumber will have to cut into the wall to access the issue. Homeowners can expect to pay around $500 to $2,500 for ceiling pipe repairs, plus any additional construction repairs.
Clearing Clogs
Drains have a way of getting clogged over time, even if a homeowner tries to prevent the wrong items from going down them. Unclogging a sink or drain usually isn’t a difficult task, so the best handyperson services in the homeowner’s area could complete the job. Clearing clogs starts around $150, but serious clogs could cost up to $350 to repair, so prevention is key to saving money on this cost.
Leaky or Burst Pipe Repairs
Leaking pipes can become a big problem over a short time, but a burst pipe is an immediate emergency. If the leak’s location isn’t apparent, the plumber will need to spend extra time to detect the source, which may cost extra. Repairing the leak costs $150 to $450. Burst pipe repairs will cost more since damage to other materials in the house, from drywall to carpets, will need to be factored in. Homeowners can expect to pay $1,000 to $4,000 for cleanup and repairs.
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