The average homeowner spends around $336 when calling a plumber. Based on the scope and urgency of the issue, a homeowner might spend between $180 and $494 for professional plumbing work.
How much does a plumber cost? With the average cost of hiring a plumber landing between $180 and $494, most homeowners are paying around $336. Of course, the complexity of the job ultimately determines how much it will cost to get pipes and fixtures running perfectly. While some plumbers charge flat rates, most will bill you by the hour. Keep reading to learn about the main factors that will influence how much you can expect to pay for plumbing work.
Plumbers charge clients based on the time, expertise, and materials needed to complete a task. In most cases, labor accounts for the largest chunk of a plumbing budget. In addition to charging for time, plumbers also charge for any new fixtures or piping required to either repair or enhance a space.
Licensed plumbers can carry out thousands of tasks in the bathroom, kitchen, basement, and beyond. Plumbers even handle slab work, sewer-line work, septic work, and other projects that need to be completed on the exterior of your home. The same plumber capable of fixing a disaster with your sewer line can also give you a simple estimate for tankless water heater cost or the cost to install a water line for a refrigerator.
| Plumbing Project | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Faucet and Fixture Replacement | $150–$600 |
| Rerouting Plumbing | $700–$1,500 |
| Repairing Burst Pipes | $1,000–$4,000 |
| Clearing Clogs/Drain Snaking | $95–$500 |
| Garbage Disposal Repair | $150–$300 |
| Gas Line Repair | $250–$750 |
| Leaking Pipes | $175–$550 |
| Main Line Water Leak Repair | $600–$4,500 |
| Radiator Repair | $150–$700 |
| Septic Tank Repair | $500–$3,000 |
| Sump Pump Repair | $300–$1,000 |
| Toilet Installation | $300–$800 |
| Toilet Repair | $100–$300 |
| Water Heater Installation | $800–$2,000 |
| Water Heater Repair | $150–$750 |
| Water Softener Installation | $200–$500 |
| Sink Installation | $200–$700 |
The scope of a plumbing project greatly impacts price. While plumbing jobs that require more time will cost you more by way of the cumulative hourly rate, most plumbers will also charge more based on the complexity and location of the piping work.
| Project Size | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Whole-House Plumbing | $10,000–$20,000 |
| Single-Room Plumbing | $500–$2,500 |
| Slab Leak Work | $500–$4,000 |
Charging by the hour is the standard in the plumbing industry. However, some plumbers will charge flat rates for simple tasks that they do routinely. They are able to do this because they can accurately calculate the amount of time, labor, and materials needed to unclog a drain, fix a running toilet, or solve some other common household plumbing problem. Most plumbers also charge a call fee that covers the cost of visiting a home to provide an estimate. This fee is sometimes called a diagnostic fee.
Emergency plumbers cost more—typically 1.5 to 3 times more than they’d typically charge during normal business hours. Be prepared to pay an emergency fee if you need a plumber to come out overnight, on the weekend, or on a holiday.
| Additional Factor | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Service Call Fee | $100–$250 |
| Hour Rates | $45–$200 |
| Flat Rates | $100–$400 |
| Emergency Fees | $300–$400 |
| Permit Fees | $75–$100 |
| Hauling Fees | $50–$200 |
If you decide to upgrade stock plumbing materials, your plumber will charge you the difference for various plastic and copper pipe types. Your plumber can source the options you want. It's also common for homeowners to purchase their own sinks and fixtures if they prefer specific styles.
| Fixture Type | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Toilet | $200–$1,200 |
| Bathroom Sink | $200–$1,100 |
| Shower | $3,000–$12,000 |
| Tub | $1,500–$10,000 |
| Copper Pipes | $4–$12 per linear foot |
| PEX Pipes | $1.50–$4 per linear foot |
| CPVC Pipes | $1.50–$3.25 per linear foot |
Most basic plumbing tasks only require a licensed plumber. However, work that involves designing and installing complex systems will require a plumber with advanced credentials.
| Plumber’s Title | Average Hourly Rate |
|---|---|
| Apprentice | $45–$90 per hour |
| Journeyperson | $60–$110 per hour |
| Master | $80–$200 per hour |
The state of your home can affect how much plumbers charge. Prep fees will be higher in cases where plumbers need to cut through drywall or remove flooring to access piping. Your plumber may also recommend hiring a separate contractor to handle any necessary structural repairs.
When creating your cost estimate, your plumber will need to factor in the wear and tear that your project is putting on tools. In some cases, a plumber may actually need to acquire a special tool specifically for your project.
Local plumbing companies that focus on residential clients tend to charge lower hourly rates compared to large chains. While commercial plumbing companies charge $100 per hour, residential ones charge closer to $80 per hour. This has nothing to do with qualifications. The reason behind the discrepancy is that larger companies can sometimes lose money on smaller jobs because they take them away from larger jobs.
Trip fees cover the cost of gas and vehicle wear and tear. Always be sure to ask a plumbing company if you are within its work zone before requesting a service call. Generally, plumbing companies will charge an additional $50 to $300 in trip fees for clients located more than 10 miles away.
Where you live can also impact how much a plumber costs. Plumbers charge more for their labor (and supplies and tools are more expensive) in areas with a higher cost of living. Big cities and coastal areas tend to have higher costs, but rural areas with less competition can also sometimes yield more expensive plumbing rates.
The table below breaks down typical plumbing costs in various cities across the United States:
| City | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Austin, Texas | $175–$450 |
| Boston, Massachusetts | $200–$550 |
| Chicago, Illinois | $200–$525 |
| Cincinnati, Ohio | $175–$450 |
| Denver, Colorado | $200–$525 |
| Los Angeles, California | $200–$600 |
| Las Vegas, Nevada | $175–$500 |
| Minneapolis, Minnesota | $175–$500 |
| New Orleans, Louisiana | $175–$475 |
| New York, New York | $200–$525 |
| Orlando, Florida | $150–$375 |
| San Francisco, California | $200–$600 |
| Seattle, Washington | $275–$750 |
| Washington, D.C. | $200–$525 |
While most plumbing projects don't involve ongoing expenses, selecting premium options when designing a new bathroom, kitchen, or plumbing system could result in special maintenance costs.
If you're having a new septic system installed, the costs for cleaning and pumping can range from $288 to $556. Care for larger tanks may cost closer to $1,000. Additionally, a septic system should be inspected roughly once every three to five years for an average cost of $300.
Upgrading to a jetted tub or waterfall shower can turn your bathroom into an at-home spa. However, a higher initial price tag isn't the only budget consideration. High-end options also generally use more electricity and water than standard tubs and showers.
A fully licensed and insured plumbing company provides homeowners with peace of mind when there's a precarious task involving piping that needs to be done. The truth is that one false move during a DIY attempt can leave your home with permanent water damage that can result in mold and rot. This is why contacting a local plumber at the first sign of water leakage is important.
There are some important questions to ask before attempting a DIY plumbing task. First, check to see if the job you're tackling requires a permit. Work that requires any type of permit should always be performed by a licensed professional. Next, consider the complexity of the task. If you need to fix a clog, it's important to know that you will first need to purchase your own tools to snake the drain.
Hiring a plumber can be expensive, and not everyone has easy access to an emergency fund to cover the cost. If you’re worried about the cost of hiring a plumber, here are some ways you can reduce the price:
Take care of problems as soon as you notice them: If you’re worried about the cost of a plumbing repair now, it’ll only get more expensive the longer you let the problem go untreated. Repairing a small leak is much more affordable than the cost of water damage restoration, for instance.
Choose the right pipes: Different types of pipes have different price points. While you probably don’t want to go with the cheapest option (because they’ll be more susceptible to problems down the line), you don’t have to go with the most expensive option either. Talk with your plumber about the types of pipes that could work for the job, and let them know price is an important factor in the decision.
Keep up with maintenance: While it may be too little too late right now if you’re dealing with a plumbing issue, in the future, you can avoid costly plumbing problems by keeping up with routine plumbing maintenance. Review these preventative plumbing maintenance tips for your home, and make a mental note to stay on top of these going forward.
Home is the most important place on earth, which is why Angi has helped more than 150 million homeowners transform their houses into homes they adore. To help homeowners with their next project, Angi provides readers with the most accurate cost data and upholds strict editorial standards. We’ve surveyed over 30,000 real Angi customers about their project costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We pair this data with research from reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects.
Want to help us improve our cost data? Send us a recent project quote to costquotes@angi.com. Quotes and personal information will not be shared publicly.
A journeyman plumber is a licensed plumber with a state-issued permit who installs and repairs piping for water and heating systems under the supervision of a master plumber. Also known as a plumbing contractor, a master plumber is considered the highest level in this profession. In addition to passing all state-level requirements, master plumbers have several years of experience. They are allowed to lead teams, create blueprints, and design and install plumbing systems.
In most cases, a plumber will install a sink and vanity. However, plumbers only install these features if the options you've chosen require straightforward installation without a need for custom carpentry. Make sure you outline your expectations to confirm that your plumber is capable of handling the full project.
Tipping is not required when hiring plumbing professionals. The rate provided in your plumbing quote is intended to cover all of the labor required to get the job done. However, you may consider tipping any extra hands hired to help with cleanup, haul away old fixtures, or repair drywall that was affected by the project.
