6 Key Reasons Why Plumbers Are So Expensive

Hiring a plumber costs $45 to $200 per hour, depending on the job type, the location, and related factors. If a burst pipe has woken up your household in the middle of the night, you know that a good plumber is worth every penny. However, some homeowners wonder why plumbers charge such a high hourly rate when other contractors get by with charging less. Here are six reasons why your local plumber costs more than, say, a pizza delivery. 

Reason 1: Training and Experience

Plumbers go through rigorous training programs that are quite expensive. According to Vocational Training HQ, an Associate's Degree in Plumbing Technology costs as much as $23,000. Students also pay between $500 and $10,000 in related expenses, such as books, tools, apprenticeship programs, uniforms, and more. 

Professional plumbers clock hundreds of hours as an assistant before they handle jobs on their own. Some plumbers go on to train as master plumbers, with most states requiring five years of experience to begin this training. Becoming a master plumber requires more schooling, and you guessed it, more money. Master plumbers are the go-to professionals for complex jobs involving waste systems, sump pumps, septic tanks, blueprints, and more. 

Reason 2: High Demand 

Plumbing is essential, as anyone who has experienced a plumbing emergency can attest. In other words, competent plumbers are in high demand. Plumbers make a decent yearly salary, averaging $56,000 per year, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

So, what’s the problem? Despite the relatively high average salary, many young people are saying “no” to the prospect of vocational plumbing. As a matter of fact, over one-half of America’s trade professionals are nearing retirement age. Meanwhile, only three percent of 18 to 25 year olds consider a career in the trades, according to a study conducted by the National Association of Homebuilders. 

As current plumbers retire and replacements are scarce, demand continues to rise, making it difficult to find a qualified professional plumber. 

Reason 3: System Complexity

Your home’s plumbing system is extraordinarily complex, with water lines running throughout the home and to the street, waste and vent systems in the walls, gas lines in the attic, and toilets, sinks, bathtubs, and other plumbing fixtures. In other words, your home includes not just one plumbing system but multiple systems running concurrently. 

This makes diagnosing and repairing issues an exacting and detail-oriented process. If you’ve ever attempted a plumbing repair yourself, you get where this is going. Most people take an “out of sight, out of mind” approach to the inner workings of their plumbing system, but it is precisely in these “out of sight” areas where problems arise. 

If there is a leak somewhere behind your walls, every second counts. On average, bathroom leak repairs cost $150 to $350. General plumbing repair costs start at about $175, but for extensive damage or aging pipes, you can expect to pay $1,500 to $15,000 on the cost to repipe the house.

Reason 4: Importance of Running Water 

Water is life, as freshwater is necessary for every living organism on this planet. Your plumbing system delivers fresh drinking water for survival and provides water for cooking, bathing, cleaning, and dozens of other daily tasks. Running water also carries waste away from your home, keeping you and your family free from waste-borne disease. 

Your plumbing system is, basically, the circulatory system of your home, so your plumber is its cardiologist, internist, and gastro-specialist all-in-one. Therefore, calling a licensed plumber for issues with water pressure, hot water heaters, and drain cleaning, for example, is essential for keeping everything in working order. 

Also, plumbing leaks are a one-way ticket to mold city, water damage, and structural instability, making your home dangerous and massively depreciating its resale value.

Reason 5: Insurance, Tools, and Overhead

By law, plumbers must purchase and maintain liability insurance. On top of that, they come across toxic chemicals like bacteria and sewage daily. The expenses don’t stop there. 

Plumbers renew professional licenses regularly, purchase expensive and specialized tools, stay stocked with commonly needed parts, and keep their work truck gassed up and in proper working order. A master plumber could also have several apprentices under their purview and other staff members. 

Reason 6: They Make House Calls at Odd Hours

We can’t control when a plumbing emergency brings chaos into our homes. It could happen during normal weekday business hours or at three in the morning on the weekend. Local emergency plumbers are essentially on-demand workers and are available for house calls whenever you need them. Additionally, they need the homeowner to be present and available, which rules out regular business hours even for general maintenance tasks.

3 Ways to Lower Plumber Costs

Plumbers have a lot of overhead, training, and time to charge for, and when the water heater starts leaking or your water pressure is on the outs, the expertise of a pro is worth its weight in gold. But oftentimes, unexpected plumbing costs can throw the household budget out of wack. If you want to save money on hiring a plumber, here are a few tips to keep in mind:

Schedule Routine Plumbing Maintenance

The best way to lower your plumbing costs is to catch problems before they start. The way to do that is to put regular plumbing inspections and maintenance on your calendar. Have a plumber come inspect the entire household plumbing system about once per year for signs of trouble. Keeping up with maintenance, like flushing the water heater at least once annually or cleaning the shower drain, can also help keep serious repairs at bay.

Fix Small Problems on Your Own

You can save money and learn new skills by tackling smaller plumbing issues yourself. While you shouldn’t try your hand at installing a new water heater or replacing the pipes in your home, you can handle small drain or toilet clogs yourself. If you’re not sure how to make the minor repairs, check online for written and video tutorials. Of course, if you don’t feel confident, call in a pro—these minor fixes aren’t likely to break the bank, as long as they are addressed ASAP.

Get Multiple Quotes or Hire Flat-Rate Plumbers 

No matter the home improvement project or repair, you should always ask multiple contractors, including plumbers, for quotes. Get at least three quotes and compare reviews or ask for references from each plumber you’re considering. You can also seek out plumbers who offer services for flat rates, so you know what the cost will be for specific repairs in advance.

Lawrence Bonk contributed to this piece.