How much does a plumber cost?

How much does a plumber cost?

How much does a plumber cost?

$45 – $150average hourly rate
$125 – $450average job cost

Small plumbing repairs like unclogging a sink or drain cleaning costs $75 to $250, while larger jobs like fixing a water heater or sump pump cost $500 to $800. Some plumbers have fixed rates for common jobs or a call-out charge of $50 to $200 that covers the first hour of work.

Get free estimates for your project or view our cost guide below:

$45 – $150 average hourly rate

$125 – $450 average job cost


Small plumbing repairs like unclogging a sink or drain cleaning costs $75 to $250, while larger jobs like fixing a water heater or sump pump cost $500 to $800. Some plumbers have fixed rates for common jobs or a call-out charge of $50 to $200 that covers the first hour of work.

Get free estimates for your project or view our cost guide below:
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Tom Grupa
Written by
Tom Grupa

Average Plumber Rates

Average plumber rates are $500 to $800 for large repairs, and $125 to $350 for small jobs like repairing toilets, sinks, faucets, or bathtubs. Most plumbers charge $45 to $150 per hour and have a minimum service call-out fee or flat rate of $50 to $200.

Average cost to hire a plumber - chart
Average cost to hire a plumber - chart
  • Plumbers work on anything that involves the plumbing system of pipes, tanks, fixtures, fittings, and pumps required for the gas and water to flow through your home.

  • Common plumbing jobs include fixing leaky faucets, replacing burst pipes, installing a hot water heater, repairing gas lines, installing water lines, or adding new plumbing fixtures such as sinks and bathtubs.

Plumber Cost
National Average Cost $280
Minimum Cost $75
Maximum Cost $850
Average Range $125 to $350

Get free estimates from plumbers near you.

How Much Do Plumbers Charge?

Plumbers charge by the hour or by the job, with hourly rates ranging from $45 to $150 or a flat fee of $200 to $250 for small repairs. Hiring a master plumber costs $100 to $200 per hour, while handyman rates are $50 to $80 per hour.

Additional costs are for travel, which is worked in with either:

  • Minimum service call-out fees of $50 to $150

  • Travel and trip fees of $1 to $2 per mile after the first ten miles

  • A $200 to $250 flat fee for standard services or the first hour of work

  • Setting a minimum number of hours to be billed for each service call

These costs are just the base rate to have a plumber in your home—add the price for materials and supplies, the cost of travel to and from the job, insurance, and the cost of getting equipment to the job.

Plumber Cost Per Hour

Plumbers cost $45 to $150 per hour, depending on experience, union dues, overhead, parts, tools, insurance, and job type. Plumber hourly rates average $75 before trip fees and materials. A handyman or apprentice charges about half at $25 to $45 per hour.

Plumber cost per hour - chart
Plumber cost per hour - chart

Flat-Rate Plumber Prices

Flat rates for smaller plumbing repairs like a clogged drain pipe are $75 to $250, while bigger jobs like fixing your water heater or sump pump cost $500 to $800.

  • Plumbers save time and money by determining the general cost of common issues rather than creating individual quotes for every customer.

  • Customers may save money with a flat rate if the job takes longer than expected.

Plumbing Prices Per Fixture

Plumbing prices cost $100 to $600 per fixture, depending on the location and the type of house.

To get a general cost estimate for new construction, a plumber can add up the number of fixtures and multiply it by his “fixture rate.”

A plumber in new home construction installing bathroom fixtures
A plumber in new home construction installing bathroom fixtures

Master Plumber Hourly Rate

Master plumber rates are $75 to $125 per hour because of the education and experience required, and to cover overhead costs. A master plumber can own his own business and is qualified to supervise journeyman plumbers and teach apprentice plumbers. They are also eligible for bonuses, profit sharing, and commissions.

The requirements to qualify as a master plumber are:

  • At least seven years of education

  • A minimum of 2 years as a journeyman plumber

  • A minimum of 5 years of experience

  • Three professional references

Pay Per Hour for a Journeyman or Apprentice

An apprentice plumber earns $14 per hour while journeyman plumbers who have completed their apprenticeship make about $24 per hour. The plumbing company they work for bills out higher rates to cover their overhead.

Apprentice plumbers work for about 5 years under a master plumbing and learn as they go to gain experience.

Commercial vs. Residential Plumbing Rates

A commercial plumber charges $85 per hour on average, and then in 15-minute increments after the first hour. Residential plumbers average about $70 per hour.

Commercial plumbers are required to adhere to strict building codes, and they likely will not take on any residential work.

Weekend or Emergency Plumber Cost

You can be billed double or triple time on weekends, after hours, and holidays, or about $125 to $170 per hour when you need emergency plumbing services. Weekday nights typically cost time and a half or more. Most plumbers are available for emergency calls.

Plumbing Prices

Plumbing prices mostly depend on the location, materials needed for the repair or installation, and the plumber’s experience. Most of them will not have a plumbers price list on their website, so you’ll have to call and ask to find your local prices.

Plumbing Repair Costs

Plumbing Labor Price List
Repair Average Cost
Unclog a Sink $75 – $250
Gas Line Repair Prices $100 – $250
Cost to Unclog a Drain $100 – $275
Toilet Repair Cost $100 – $300
Pipe Repair Cost $400 – $2,000
Drain Line Repair Costs $100 – $800
Sewer line inspection cost $125 – $500
Shower Repair Cost $140 – $200
Cost to Fix a Leak $150 – $850
Sewer Line Cleaning Cost $150 – $800
Water Softener Repair Cost $150 – $600
Unclog a Garbage Disposal $160 – $685
Water Heater Repair Costs $150 – $700
Septic Tank Pumping Costs $250 – $650
Sump Pump Repair Prices $380 – $550
Water Main Repair Prices $400 – $1,500
Septic Tank Repair Cost $600 – $3,000
Cost to Fix Ceiling Leak $700 – $3,000
Well Pump Repair Costs $500 – $1,000
Sewer Main Line Repair Cost $1,880 – $3,700

Plumber Installation Services Price List

Plumbing Services Price List
Installation Average Prices
Faucet Installation Cost $120 – $300
Water heater gas valve replacement cost $150 – $550
Shower valve installation cost $225 – $575
Sink Installation Cost $230 – $6,500
Toilet Installation Cost $250 – $750
Sump Pump Installation Cost $550 – $950
Cost to Install a Garbage Disposal $600 – $850
Water Heater Installation Cost $600 – $1,800
Tankless Water Heater Installation Cost $800 – $3,500
Shower Installation Costs $2,000 – $9,000
Bathtub Installation Cost $800 – $4,600
Walk-In Tub Installation Cost $700 – $3,000
Bathtub Liner Installation Cost $730 – $1,830
Water Main Installation Costs $800 – $1,950
Water Softener Installation Cost $800 – $3,000
Install Water Treatment & Purification System Costs $750 – $2,675
New Plumbing Pipes Cost $2,280 – $5,120
Sewer Main Installation Prices $1,500 – $3,500
Septic Tank System Cost $3,280 – $5,040
Drainage System Cost $1,000 – $15,000

Cost of Plumber for a House Call

Plumber Service Call Costs

Plumber service call fees cost $50 to $200 on average, which usually covers the first hour of work. The reason for this charge is to discourage casual clients who are only seeking free information. When requesting on-site quotes, be respectful of the plumber’s time, and remember they have other jobs scheduled as well.

Plumbing Trip or Call Out Fees

Many plumbers charge travel and trip fees of $1 to $2 per mile after the first 10 miles. This fee covers their fuel and most of the cost of travel between your home, the plumbing supply store, and their office. Others will charge for the full first hour, even if the work only takes 15 minutes, in lieu of a plumbing service fee.

Plumbing Permit Cost & When You Need One

Plumbing permits cost $30 to $500. You won’t need a permit for regular repairs or replacement work. You typically need a permit if you open the walls to work on the plumbing, install new pipes during a home addition, or change any of the plumbing in the home.

Get free estimates from plumbers near you.

Check your local building codes for permitting requirments. Having a permit and receiving the resulting inspection upon completion of the job ensures the job is done safely and according to code.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why Are Plumbers So Expensive?

Plumbers are so expensive because they are educated, trained professionals. They’ve spent thousands of dollars on training, and they’ve worked many hours as an apprentice (at a low rate of pay), up to the point where they have invested in their own business.

A plumber will come to your home in the middle of the night, will crawl under your house, and will do all kinds of extensive work you don’t want to do.

How Do I Find Inexpensive Plumbers?

If you hire a cheap, inexperienced plumber and something goes wrong, you'll have to pay out of pocket for another master plumber to fix the damage. To find a high-quality plumber, ask around for recommendations from friends and coworkers or compare quotes on HomeGuide for free. The cheapest plumbers might only be less expensive because:

  • They have no insurance

  • They aren’t licensed

  • They are not experienced

How Do I Pay a Plumber?

You can typically pay a plumber by check or credit card, usually when the repair is complete. When you get your initial estimate, ask how they prefer to be paid. Sometimes they will prepare your final invoice in the office and then mail or email it to you.

What is a Plumber's Hourly Wage?

The basic hourly wage for an apprentice plumber is $22 per hour. The wage changes as the plumber works additional years and receives more education, going up to an average of $45 per hour.

Do Plumbers Give Free Estimates or Quotes?

Many plumbers will give free estimates; however, keep in mind that preparing an accurate quote can be a labor-intensive project. If a plumber does charge for the time the estimate takes, they will often deduct this cost from your final bill, if hired.

How Much Does a 24-hour Plumber Cost?

A 24-hour plumber who charges more for late night issues charges $195 to $260 per hour. Some plumbers charge you the same rate no matter what time you call them. Before you have an emergency, call some plumbers in your area to find out what their policy is.

How Much Are Plumber Union Fees?

Plumbers who belong to a union pay dues of $20 to $30 per month. Some unions take a percentage of the plumbers' wages that can be as high as 20%.

Roto-Rooter Labor Rates

Roto-Rooter doesn’t publish its labor rates online because hourly rates depend on the location of the business—some areas of the country have higher labor rates. Based on online reviews of the service, Roto-Rooter prices are 3X to 4X more than the cost of getting a handyman to do the same work.

Hiring a Plumber

When it comes to hiring a plumber, you’ll either hire a general plumber who handles basic repairs, or a plumbing contractor who specializes in new construction and remodeling projects.

General Plumber

A general plumber is who you’ll call when your kitchen sink gets clogged up, or you have a leak or the toilet’s overflowing. Master plumbers typically own plumbing businesses and have the knowledge and experience to handle any problem that might occur.

Get free estimates from plumbers near you.

Plumbing Contractor

A plumbing contractor handles things like remodels and new construction. They will act as a general contractor and oversee the water, sewer, and gas lines in the new construction project, hiring subcontractors to handle different aspects of the project.

Hiring A Plumber

Before hiring a plumber, be sure to:

  • Get at least three estimates to compare.

  • Ask for recommendations from family, friends, and neighbors.

  • Read reviews and check out their previous work on HomeGuide and Google.

  • Select companies that are insured, bonded, licensed, and have been in business for 5+ years.

  • Avoid selecting the cheapest quote as quality may suffer.

  • Ask for a written warranty on their work, including any parts.

  • Avoid making large payments up front, and never pay in cash.

Questions To Ask

  • Are you licensed, bonded, and insured?

  • How long have you been in business?

  • Can you provide references with contact information?

  • What hours do you work? Do you charge more for after hours and weekend jobs?

  • How long will the job take?

  • How do you handle damages if they occur during the job?

  • How do you handle additional work that arises?

  • Do you offer a warranty? If so, what does it cover?

Check Licensing Information

Call your local building department and verify the license of the plumber you’re considering. Every state licenses plumbers who prove through testing they have the education and experience needed to receive a plumbing license.

Hiring someone without the proper training and expertise could be disastrous for your plumbing problems and your home.