Costs & Guides

Do you want to know how much plumbers cost?
This comprehensive guide covers everything, including how much plumbers charge for certain jobs, daily plumber rates, and hourly rates.
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How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Plumber?

Unfortunately, not all plumbing tasks are pleasurable, and all plumbing systems are susceptible to breakage and damage.

Plumbers are far less expensive than the damage that occurs when a problem is ignored. They’re highly trained professionals who can unclog drains and toilets, repair damaged fixtures, replace hazardous water heaters, and repair leaks, among other things.

You can learn about frequent concerns, charges, and key aspects with this plumbing price guide. Continue reading to learn more…

A plumber’s fee is determined by where you live in the country and the sort of service you do. According to our research, the average plumber charges between £40 and £80 per hour.

Day prices for plumbers run from £180 to £350 per day, though if the plumber is installing an appliance in your home, expect to pay 20-30% more each day.

Call-out rates are typically double the standard hourly rate, but they also include the first hour of labour. For an emergency plumber call out, expect to spend 2.5 to 3 times the standard hourly rate.

You should inquire with your local plumber about the cost of the job, their hourly rate, and the estimated time of completion. A plumber’s overall cost is usually made up of the time spent as well as the cost of the parts.

Replacing a conventional hot water tank is significantly more expensive and time-consuming than replacing a broken faucet. The size and complexity of the plumbing job are other factors.

Sinks, toilets, and other plumbing components that are difficult to reach or that must be disassembled and reassembled later will take longer, resulting in higher costs.

The average hourly rate for a plumber is between £20 and £40. The total cost, however, will vary depending on the job’s scope.

Prices differ depending on where you live in the UK. Living costs in London and the southeast are frequently greater than in other places.

Remember that the final plumber cost will be decided by travel and transportation, as well as ease of access to your house and any parking fees or taxes.

Plumber Prices

The table below lists the many types of jobs that a typical customer might anticipate a plumbing specialist to complete, as well as how much they’ll charge.

Job	Cost
Repairing a tap	£65-£125
Drain cleaning	£100-£150
Toilet replacement	£145-£315
Boiler repair	£80-£400
Slow draining sink	£150-£200
Sewer cleaner	£150-£200
Installing a new shower	£250-£380
Unclogging a toiler	£75-£150
Emergency call-out	£100-£130
Leaking pipe	£75-£140

What are the Supply Costs of Plumber Jobs?

Plumbers are often talented and experienced with their hands, but they also know when and how to use the right tools. To supply homeowners with long-term plumbing solutions, plumbers must deal with a range of challenges, including health risks and cramped, gloomy spaces.

We’re only looking at the supply costs of plumbing projects here, not the labour or other expenditures.

When it comes to completing a job, all plumbers require a pipe wrench, which costs between £10 and £30. They also require a basin wrench, which costs between £5 and £10, an adjustable wrench, which costs between £10 and £30, and a faucet key, which costs between £2 and £20.

When it comes to pipes, they’ll need a hacksaw, which will cost between £3 and £30, a pipe cutter, which will cost between £3 and £25, thread sealing tape, which will cost between £0.25 and £2 a roll, and pilers, which will cost between £5 and £15.

A plunger will set you back £5 to £35 and a drain cleaner would set you back £140 to £180.

Plumbers typically use a PEX expander, which is a drill-like device that widens the pipe’s mouth to allow for the insertion of a metal fitting.

Because PEX piping retains its original shape, the fitting’s mouth closes in on itself, creating a perfect seal that allows water to pass through. This typically costs between £130 and £160.

People may wish to acquire plumbing items such as baths, toilets, and sinks before the plumber instals them in their home, which can reduce the total cost.

The average cost of a bathtub ranges from £200 to £800, depending on the sort of bath you want in your home. The cost of a toilet varies depending on the style of toilet you desire; nevertheless, the average cost is usually between £90 and £200.

A sink will cost between £30 and £200, while a new boiler will cost between £700 and £2,000.

The table below shows the various expenses of supplies for a plumber.

Supply	Cost
Pipe wrench	£10 – £30
Basin wrench	£5 – £10
Adjustable wrench	£10 – £30
Faucet key	£2 – £20
Hacksaw	£3 – £30
Pipe cutter	£3 – £25
Thread sealing tape	£0.25 – £2
Pilers	£5 – £15
Plunger	£5 – £35
Drain cleaner	£140 – £180
PEX expander	£130 – £160
Bathtub	£200 – £800
Toilet	£90 – £200
Sink	£30 – £200
Boiler	£700 – £2,00

What are the Additional Costs of Plumber Jobs?

It’s understandable that some plumbing jobs cost more than others. Installing a new bathroom, for example, is significantly more difficult than unblocking a toilet, and your plumbing costs will be higher as a result.

The additional costs connected with employing a plumber to complete a job are shown here.

Cleaning a Drain

Underground pipes in the yard are the responsibility of the homeowner; utility companies will usually only repair or maintain drains outside of your property boundaries (unless they are shared).

Both rainwater and sewer pipes can clog, requiring jet flushing to remove the obstruction. If a problem arises when installing or fitting something in your home, the plumber will have to investigate the issue, which may necessitate drain cleaning.

As a result, clearing an exterior drain will cost between £95 and £125.

Gutter Clearing

Moss, leaves, twigs, and other debris can cause blockages in the roof gutters or rainfall pipe system. Failure to maintain gutters on a regular basis can lead to deteriorating fascias, wet areas, and mould growth.

The cost is normally between £4 and £6 per metre of guttering, and it includes inspecting and unblocking any rainwater pipes above ground level that are needed.

A typical semi-detached house should be completed in a couple of hours. Add time and charges for cleaning the gutters on the exterior if you wish it.

Underfloor Heating

One of the most efficient ways to heat your bathroom is to install underfloor heating beneath your flooring. This will make walking on the floor more comfortable, and your bathroom will be warm when you depart the tub.

Electric underfloor heating costs between £60 and £80 per square metre, while wet underfloor heating costs roughly £100 per square metre.

Minimum Fee

The higher the labour cost, the more craftspeople there are. You should also consider location costs, as some contractors may charge more for remote locations to cover mileage costs.

Expect to pay more in areas like London, where the hourly cost is around £50 against £25 in Northern England.

Materials Needed

Your plumbing problem will almost probably necessitate the usage of supplies, which the plumber will charge you for unless the items are inexpensive and plentiful.

You may have some say in which materials are used – for example, the type of thermostat or boiler model you need – but the plumber may just select the best ones for the job.

Type of Job

Some plumbing repairs are simple, and your plumber will most likely know how to address the situation. An overflowing/overfilling toilet, for example, could be caused by a few factors, and the problem could be resolved once each one has been investigated.

A more intricate problem will not only require the services of a more experienced plumber, but it will also take longer to assess and repair, resulting in higher charges.

Size of Job

A complete flood vs. a trickling tap may appear to be obvious at first look, but any trouble that arises could be a symptom of a larger plumbing problem. Similarly, evaluating the difficulty of a task will be difficult unless you are familiar with plumbing.

However, whether the task requires a more competent plumber or takes longer to complete, the final cost will be higher.

Tradesmen Costs for Plumber Jobs

Generally, craftsmen charge a day rate for work that will take more than a few hours to complete. For help figuring the cost of hiring a tradesperson, see the pricing guide below, which contains plumbers’ day rates, hourly rates, and what they charge for specific jobs.

Plumbers normally charge between £40 and £60 per hour for minor services like installing a new toilet or repairing pipes. The normal hourly wage for a gas safe engineer working for a respected company can be as high as £60 – £80 per hour, although self-employed plumbers may only charge £30 – £60 per hour.

A day rate may be less expensive than an hourly cost if a plumber knows they’ll be working on a job for the full day. A typical day price is from £450 to £550.

Larger, more established businesses typically charge more than small sole traders, though they may have set pricing for specific projects that will show you the total cost before you employ them.

A plumber’s annual salary ranges from £32,000 to £35,000, however newly qualified plumbers can earn as little as £28,000, while those with more than five years of experience can earn £36,000 to £40,000..

Nobody wants to be in the centre of a crisis, yet it does happen. If you have an emergency, such as a leak or a burst pipe, that requires immediate attention and occurs outside of usual working hours, such as overnight, on the weekend, or on a holiday, you will pay a premium to contact a plumber.

Emergency callouts can cost up to twice as much as ordinary hourly rates, with prices ranging from £100 to £150 in the UK and £200 to £250 in London.

The typical cost of various jobs varies; for example, toilet repair is frequently less expensive. A basic cistern repair could take less than an hour and cost between £50 and £100, while more complicated issues could take longer and cost between £100 and £150 to install without any additional fees.

Replacing a sink is similar to replacing a toilet in terms of scope and expense, ranging from £100 to £250, with the latter being slightly less expensive.

Whether a tap has to be replaced or fixed is determined by its type. A small leak can be repaired for a small fee, but replacing a set of mixer taps can take several hours and cost between £150 and £300.

For further information, please see our guide to tradesman costs.

How Long Do Plumber Jobs Take?

Because certain jobs are more involved and take longer than others, the type of job the plumber must accomplish has an impact on the job’s timeline. We’ll break down the various timeframes for plumbing jobs in this table.

Blocked Toilet

If your toilet won’t flush, water won’t drain, water gurgles in your shower/bath drain (particularly when using water-based appliances like washing machines), or liquids come out of the sewage clean-up outside your home, you have a blocked toilet.

Many of these issues can be prevented simply by being mindful about what you flush – keeping a bin near the toilet may serve as a good reminder to throw things in the trash rather than flushing them.

It would most likely take 1 to 2 hours to fix a blocked toilet if you need to call an emergency plumber.

Blocked Sink

Like a clogged toilet, a clogged sink occurs when something that shouldn’t have gone down does. In restrooms, hair and small objects (hair bobbles, rings, cotton buds, etc.) are common, whereas grease, oil, and fragments of food are common in kitchens.

Unclogging a sink, like unclogging a toilet, should take 30 minutes to an hour and require no special tools.

Toilet Replacement

If your toilet is frequently blocked, has porcelain cracks, requires many repairs, is very old, wobbles, or has a large build-up of mineral deposits, you should consider replacing it.

There’s not much you can do about it. Toilet replacement might take anywhere from 1 to 4 hours, depending on experience and the type of toilet.

Sink Replacement

It’s probably time to replace any rusted, broken, leaky, unsteady, discoloured, limescale-covered, or loose-pieced taps in your home.

There isn’t much you can do to prevent most of these wear and tear issues other than eliminating any limescale build-ups and tightening up loose parts when possible. Replacing the taps should only take 1 to 3 hours.

Leaking Radiator

A underlying problem with your central heating system could be causing the leak in your radiator, resulting in corrosion within the radiator.

Loose parts or worn-out components could be the source of the leak. The needed parts will need to be fixed or replaced in any instance.

If the leak is simple to fix, a plumber should be able to complete the job in 1 to 3 hours.

Radiator Replacement

A radiator should be replaced for a variety of reasons, including rusting, corrosion, inefficiency, leakage, damage, and worn-out components. A homeowner can’t do much to keep their radiators from breaking or needing to be replaced.

A qualified plumber should be able to replace or install a radiator in 1 to 3 hours.

Boiler Replacement

A leaking hot water tank will cause obvious problems in your home, signalling that it should be repaired or replaced. You should partially drain your hot water tank on a regular basis to remove any collected dirt or silt to keep it in good working order.

Replacing your hot water tank with a similar one would most likely take a whole day for a plumber.

The table below shows the various timeframes for the various jobs described above, as well as others.

Job	Timescale
Blocked toilet	1 – 2 hours
Blocked sink	30 minutes – 1 hour
Toilet replacement	1 – 3 hours
Sink replacement	1 – 3 hours
Leaking radiator	1 – 3 hours
Radiator replacement	1 – 3 hours
Boiler replacement	1 day

Types of Plumber Jobs

When it comes to being a plumber, there are a variety of careers available. We’ll break down the many sorts of plumber jobs and their average costs in this section of the post.

Power Flushing

A power flush is a boiler cleaning operation that removes any dirt, sludge, rust, or debris that has built up in your system over time.

If these chemicals are permitted to stay in your heating system, they can cause blockages or corrosion, reducing the efficiency of your boiler and possibly causing it to fail.

A specialised machine circulates a chemical at high pressure through your radiators, pipes, and boiler. Any potentially obstructing residues are removed, allowing water to circulate freely throughout your system.

The cost of having your central heating system power flushed will be around £385 to £425 if you live in a two-bedroom house; £475 to £535 if you live in a three-bedroom house; and £510 to £590 if you live in a four-bedroom house.

The cost of power flushing is controlled by the size of the house, the number of radiators, the type of central heating, the number of heating engineers engaged, accessibility, and the property’s location.

Cleaning a two-bedroom house should take 3-4 hours, a three-bedroom house should take 5-6 hours, and a four-bedroom house should take an entire working day.

Factors like ease of access, the quantity of tradespeople hired, and the type of central heating system installed will all influence how long the job takes to complete.

For more information about power flushing, please see our guide.

Installing a Radiator

Radiators are required in modern homes because they circulate the heat generated by the boiler throughout the building. If they stop working, they may need to be replaced.

A replacement radiator should cost between £110 and £470 when installed by a professional.

Installing a new radiator will cost you between £30 and £70 per hour, or £240 to £320 per day.

However, your location in the United Kingdom will have a significant impact. This indicates that an average-sized radiator should cost between £90 and £150 to install professionally.

Depending on the size of the radiator, installing a new radiator in your home can take anywhere from 1 to 2 hours (small, medium, or large). While a new horizontal radiator can take up to two hours to install, it is usually faster than other radiator designs.

For more information, see our radiator installation cost guide.

Installing a Bath

A plumber installing a bath will supervise and complete all bathroom installation and fitting chores. Removing old units and measuring for new ones are common chores.

They may also be expected to work around existing items like subterranean pipelines and units, as well as adhere to design team blueprints.

Bath installation expenses on average range from £240 to £4650. The entire cost of constructing a bath is dictated by the type of bath you choose, the bathtub’s size, accessibility, and the number of tradespeople required.

One of the most crucial aspects to consider when installing a new bath is labour costs. Installing a new bath typically costs between £30 and £50 per hour, and bathtub installations typically require two artisans, double the labour cost.

The cost of having your old bath ripped out ranges from £250 to £350, which includes the removal and disposal of the old bath as well as the installation of the new one.

An electrician may be required if you choose a spa bath because it requires electric controls. The average hourly rate for an electrician is between £25 and £50.

The average bath installation takes between two and four hours. However, this will vary depending on the bath style you choose, as some are easier to install than others.

If you’re putting a bath in a brand-new bathroom, consider how long it will take to prepare the area, especially if the bath is inset or recessed.

It will take longer to dig out and build a location to fit the bath. The process may take a bit longer if any pipes or electrics need to be shifted, but it shouldn’t take more than one day.

For further information, please see our guide to the costs of adding a bath.

Boiler Installation

Any skilled plumber will go to great lengths to make the installation as simple as possible.

They should safeguard your carpets and surfaces, arrive with all required materials, operate quickly and safely, adhere to all applicable laws, and leave no trace of their presence.

The type of boiler you choose will impact the price of installation. A new combi boiler, for example, can cost anywhere from £1500 to £3500, while a traditional boiler can cost anywhere from £1300 to £3700.

The cost of a new boiler is also decided by how long it takes to install it, as craftsmen normally charge a daily or hourly rate, though this varies by project.

Regular and combi boilers take one to one and a half days to install, while system boilers can take up to two and a half days.

Sink Replacement

A kitchen sink replacement is a simple yet time-consuming process. Sinks come in many different shapes, sizes, and materials, some of which are more difficult to work with than others.

Stainless steel sinks cost between £100 and £850 to replace, whereas granite composite sinks cost between £190 and £720.

Fireclay sinks cost between £210 and £1240, ceramic sinks cost between £300 and £880, copper sinks cost between £340 and £1340, and cast-iron sinks cost between £450 and £1840.

Several factors influence the total cost of installing a kitchen sink, including the sink’s size, which is commonly one, one and a half, or two bowls.

Depending on how difficult the sink is to install and whether any pipe cutting is required, a standard plumber would charge between £75 and £150 to replace a kitchen sink in 3 to 4 hours.

If you want your sink moved, you may have to pay an additional labour fee because it can take one to two days to complete, or up to eight days for a kitchen island relocation.

FAQs

Q: What does a plumber do?
A: Plumbers install and repair pipelines that convey water and gas to homes and businesses, as well as waste away from them.

They also install plumbing items like bathtubs, sinks, and toilets, as well as appliances like dishwashers and washing machines. Experienced plumbers train and supervise apprentice plumbers. They work in the construction business alongside other labourers.

Q: What type of insurance does a plumber require?
A: As a plumbing contractor, you must have adequate public liability insurance to protect yourself in the event that you cause damage or harm while doing your tasks.

If you have the right coverage in place, any subcontractors you hire should be covered by your policy if they work under your supervision.

Q: Is it necessary to hire a plumber to install a toilet?
A: Anyone can theoretically replace a toilet. The UK Building Regulations, on the other hand, apply to a new toilet in a room that was previously not used as a toilet or bathroom.

The Building Inspector must inspect all fixtures, fittings, and connections to the sewage system, or a licenced plumber must install them. All mains water connections, fixtures, fittings, and appliances must comply with the Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations 1999.

As a result, rather than attempting to do it yourself, hiring a plumber is a sensible decision.

Q: Why do you have to pay more for an emergency call?
A: A normal plumber will work a defined schedule during the week. Other obligations and plans for your plumber will have been made to fit around these hours.

In contrast, an emergency plumber does not have this agreement and can be called at any time.

As a result, the callout fee is intended to cover both the inconvenience of interrupting your plumber’s day and the time it takes for them to make the necessary preparations.

The second reason for a callout fee is to cover travel costs, as your plumber may have to drive a considerable distance to reach you. The callout fee will allow him to recuperate some of the petrol money, as well as the cost of trip time.

Q: Is a leaky boiler considered an emergency?
A: If your boiler is spilling water, it isn’t usually considered an emergency. Water damage, on the other hand, might permanently harm your equipment.

If your boiler is leaking gas, it should be treated as an emergency and repaired as soon as possible.