Roto-Rooter Costs for Different Plumbing Jobs [2025 Data]
Hiring a Roto-Rooter specialist costs between $160 and $450 on average, depending on the type of job you call them for.
Roto-Rooter charges a flat rate for services, which makes budgeting for small projects easier for homeowners.
Standard plumbing tasks like unclogging drains and repairing leaks cost less, while emergency plumbing and remediation cost more.
Prices vary by location—expect to pay more if you live in an area with a higher cost of living or a larger city.
You can DIY some plumbing repairs but always hire a pro for complex jobs to avoid further damage and additional costs.
Roto-Rooter is the largest plumbing service provider in the country, offering flat-rate pricing and plenty of name recognition. For most plumbing projects done by Roto-Rooter, you’ll pay between $160 and $450. For more complex jobs, you could pay as much as $4,000, and very simple tasks may only cost $150.
Roto-Rooter Cost by Service Type
Your plumbing needs will dictate the price, but the average cost for a Roto-Rooter contractor or independently owned business is $160 to $450. This includes drive time for a technician or plumber to come to your home.
Unlike many plumbing services, Roto-Rooter charges a flat rate instead of by the hour. This could make Roto-Rooter a more affordable plumbing solution in many cases, as you won’t get stuck with a higher bill if the job takes longer to complete. Most locations offer same-day services, too.
| Roto-Rooter Service Type | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Standard plumbing | $305 |
| Emergency plumbing | $1,000 |
| Remediation | $500–$6,000 |
Like many plumbing companies, Roto-Rooter's plumbing service costs can be broken down into three categories.
Standard Plumbing Services
Less than $1,000 is a good cost estimate for standard plumbing issues, no matter if you call Roto-Rooter or another local plumber, with the national average being about $305. If the issue is a simple clog or leak, you could pay as little as $150.
Standard plumbing services may include the following:
Drain cleaning, which costs $140–$340
Leak repair, which costs $250–$850
Sump pump repair, which costs $300–$750
Toilet repair, which costs $150–$400
Water heater repair, which costs $220–$1,000
Dishwasher repair, which costs $160–$300
Washing machine repair, which costs $125–$450
Garbage disposal installation, which costs $100–$1,200
Sewer inspection, which costs $270–$1,700
Emergency Plumbing Services
Roto-Rooter does not charge extra for late-night or immediate services. But because “emergency” implies you're dealing with a serious plumbing issue, you could easily pay $1,000 or more for a burst pipe or serious leak.
This may seem steep, but failing to act quickly during a plumbing emergency will ultimately cost you more.
Emergency plumbing services may include the following:
Burst pipe repair
Sewage backup
No hot water
Remediation Services
If your basement floods or water damage has led to mold or rot in your foundation, a Roto-Rooter Specialist can help. On average, mold remediation services range between $500 and $6,000, depending on the size and severity of the damage. Please note that this pricing range is the average for this service generally, and you should talk to a pro about what you'll actually pay for your unique job.
Remediation services may include the following:
Water damage
Water removal
Mold remediation
Basement flood cleanup
How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Roto-Rooter Specialist Near You?
While the cost to hire a local Roto-Rooter specialist will mostly depend on the nature of the job, where you live could also influence the price.
State
Roto-Rooter is a national service available in every U.S. state, including Alaska and Hawaii. Flat-rate pricing might be slightly higher in states with a higher cost of living, such as California or New York, but most plumbers charge between $45 and $200 per hour.
The flat-rate quote you get after your in-person cost estimate will tell you how much your plumbing job is going to cost. Roto-Rooter also offers coupon incentives through their website based on the state you live in.
Rural vs. City
Across the U.S., homeowner services tend to cost more in cities and metro areas. This could be the case when hiring a Roto-Rooter specialist as well.
In areas with high tree densities, sewer problems are more common due to tree roots interfering with sewer lines. You might pay less for the work in a rural area, but there’s a slightly higher chance you’ll need to hire a plumbing specialist if you live in an area with lots of trees.
What Roto-Rooter Services Can I Get on My Budget?
From routine plumbing work to emergency services, here’s a breakdown of what Roto-Rooter services you can get at different pricing tiers.
$400 or Less
In this range, you’re looking at common plumbing issues, such as clogged drains and toilets, line repair, or dripping or leaking faucets.
Roto-Rooter offers 16 different services under their Plumbing and Drains section, many of which will fall into this price range. Some examples include toilet, shower, faucet, and sink repair, as well as dishwasher installation and checking for high water pressure.
$400 to $1,000
The cost to install or replace plumbing pipes after leaks or bursts could fit into this price range, so long as they aren’t extensive.
By comparing Roto-Rooter's pricing to other pros' estimates, you can determine if this will fit your budget or if hiring a local plumber would make more sense.
$1,000 to $3,500
Beyond the $1,000 mark, you’re looking at extensive work or emergency plumbing services. Unlike some local services, Roto-Rooter offers 24/7 repairs. But whether you’re calling them out in the middle of the night or during the day, a burst pipe or damaged sump pump is going to cost you.
Auxiliary services, such as water damage remediation, flood servicing, and mold remediation, could also fall under this category.
$3,500 or More
A busted sewer line needing replacement could cost between $3,500 and $20,000 for plumbers to repair.
Basement flooding can also easily exceed this price point. If flood remediation and cleanup services are needed, they could cost as much as $10,000. Fortunately, homeowners' insurance should cover much of this.
DIY vs. Hiring a Professional
Plumbing isn’t an easy job. Sure, many homeowners can likely fix a small clog on their own. However, when it comes to more complex plumbing work, like sewer line replacement or burst pipe repair, there’s no substitute for the experienced hands of a professional.
If someone without expertise tries to take on a big plumbing job, they could do more harm than good. This could lead to further pipe damage, sewage backing up into your home or yard, and other costly (and smelly) problems. It may cost more upfront, but you’ll be glad you hired a pro for your plumbing work.
How Angi Gets Its Cost Data
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 extensively research project costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We rely on 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
Roto-Rooter does not charge by the hour, so the quote you get after your in-person consultation should cover the whole project. This includes the time it takes a technician to get to your house and the time it takes to complete the job. For context, a plumber will charge anywhere from $45 to $200 per hour, but you may also pay a service fee or flat fee.
If you know the job is going to be extensive (and you don’t like surprises), hiring a Roto-Rooter specialist may make sense for you. You’ll know how much you’re going to pay right away.
That said, hiring the best plumber isn’t solely about price. If you've worked with a plumber you trust before or have a list of plumbing services you need tackled at your home, working with a plumber might be a better choice for you.
Read reviews and grades on Roto-Rooter specialists in your area online. Their website also lists all the professionals in your area by state. Sites like Angi can help connect you with local plumbing professionals, which may include Roto-Rooter.
You’ll likely pay between $300 and $450 to unclog your toilet with Roto-Rooter. However, the price could change depending on if the clog has caused a lot of damage, which your plumbing pro will want to inspect during your service appointment. Keep in mind that you won’t get a quote from Roto-Rooter over the phone. They have to send a pro out for an in-person cost estimate. You can also attempt to snake your own clog for a lot less, and simple drain snakes cost no more than $50.
