Plumbing Costs in the UK
There’s nothing worse than realising a pipe has burst or your boiler is leaking. Before any panic sets in, don’t worry — a plumber can get the issue sorted. Wondering how much plumbing services cost in the UK? The average hourly rate stands at £40-£70, but let’s explore these costs in more detail.
Contents
- Plumbing services: Average costs
- Factors affecting plumbing costs
- Costs to fix specific plumbing issues
- Calculating plumbing costs
- Can I carry out plumbing work myself?
- FAQs about plumbing services
Plumbing services: Average costs
As with many professional services, most plumbing specialists go by hourly rates (or sometimes a day rate).
It’s helpful to see some ballpark figures so you know whether the quotes you receive from plumbing specialists are in line with national and local averages. We’ve put some average costs together, based on hourly and day rates as well as the level of repair.
| Plumbing service | Average UK cost |
| Standard hourly rate | £40-£70 |
| Emergency call-out fee | £100-£120 |
| Day rate | £200-£350 |
| Hourly rate (London premium) | £70-£80 |
| Minor repairs | £40-£100 |
| Major repairs | £150-£500 |
Plumbing jobs can be small and simple to fix. Small leaks, bleeding radiators or replacing a toilet flush shouldn’t take too long for a plumbing specialist to complete. However, some tasks, such as replacing a boiler, can be a lot bigger and more complex, leading to a longer call-out time.
Factors affecting plumbing costs
How long a job takes plays a big role in plumbing costs, but it’s not the only factor. Here are some other elements that can affect your final bill.
Emergency call-outs
As our average cost table shows, emergency call-outs tend to cost more. If your boiler is on the blink in the depth of winter or a burst pipe is pouring water, you’ll likely want an urgent repair.
Job scale and skills needed
Then there’s the scale of the job. Is it a simple fix, or does it require specialist skills and training? Your plumbing expert will be able to give a clear idea of this when they provide a quote. If the job requires extra personnel (like a gas engineer or a builder), you’ll have to factor their rates into the price, too.
Location
It’s also worth noting that your geographical location will impact the price you pay, with rates tending to be higher in London and the South East than in the rest of the country. These variances tend to be due to demand and the population density of the area as well as the region’s cost of living.
Plumbing specialists in more rural locations may charge a slightly lower rate. For example, if you need a plumber in a rural town like Devizes in Wiltshire, you will likely pay between £25 and £50 per hour.
What about in UK cities? Here are some average plumbing costs for cities around the country:
- £70-£80 per hour for a plumber in London
- £40-£50 per hour for a plumber in Edinburgh
- £35-£45 per hour for a plumber in Cardiff
- £31-£40 per hour for a plumber in Plymouth
- £40-£45 per hour for a plumber in Newcastle
- £40-£50 per hour for a plumber in Manchester
Travel time
Linked to location, the time it takes your plumber to travel to you can also affect the price. Many plumbing specialists will include a certain radius within their usual rate, but if they need to travel further, you may need to cover their fuel costs.
We recommend looking for a local plumbing expert to keep travel costs down.
Materials
Don’t forget that your plumber may include any parts and materials in their bill, too, so always check what their quote covers. In some cases, you might prefer to source the parts or materials yourself to keep costs down — this is something you discuss with your plumbing specialist when finalising the details of the job.
Finish
Many plumbing jobs can cause a bit of disruption. For example, if you’re having a new bath fitted, it’ll usually involve removing the old one before installing the new tub. You might be happy to have exposed plaster and sealant so you can re-tile the space yourself. This can bring the price down. Alternatively, you might prefer a professional to complete the job, including a tidy finish so your bathroom is ready to relax in.
When gathering quotes for plumbing jobs like this, it’s worth asking about the level of finish the specialist can provide.
Costs to fix specific plumbing issues
It’s not always possible to know the root of a plumbing problem right away. If your heating won’t come on or your shower is running cold, your plumber will need to find the cause. Fortunately, some other jobs are more straightforward to diagnose.
So, if any of the following problems arise, here are some guideline figures to help you budget for repairs and replacements.
- Blocked toilet: £100-£150
- Burst water pipe: £150 (or up to £600 for an emergency call-out on the weekend)
- Radiator installation: £200-£250
- Radiator bleeding or repair: £50-£100
- Boiler replacement: £1,000-£2,500
- Toilet flush replacement: £60-£100
When you search for a local plumbing specialist on Taskrabbit, you will be able to see hourly rates for your specific job.
Calculating plumbing costs
While researching local plumbing experts, you might like to use our handy formula to come up with your own estimate so you can see if the quote they provide is in line with your budget and prediction.
| Formula | Example |
| Find the plumber’s hourly rate | £50 |
| Estimate the the time it will take to complete the job | 3 |
| Add material costs | £15 |
| Add any additional costs (e.g. emergency call-out) | £100 |
| Multiply the job duration by the hourly rate | 3 x £50 = £150 |
| Add the material costs, additional cost, and job cost together | £15 + £100 + £150 = £265 |
| You have your total job estimate | £265 |
Can I carry out plumbing work myself?
If you’re a confident DIY-er, you might be able to take on some plumbing tasks yourself. You can often tackle minor blockages with supermarket products and may be able to replace a leaking U-bend fitting quite easily.
However, a lot of plumbing issues require someone with the right tools and experience. Big leaks and heating issues will almost always need specialist help.
You must never attempt to repair a boiler yourself, either. It’s dangerous (and actually illegal if you’re not a registered Gas-Safe engineer).
FAQs about plumbing services
What can a plumber help with?
When it comes to domestic plumbing issues, your average UK plumbing specialist has seen it all. From dripping taps and broken flushes to major blockages, drainage issues and faulty boilers, if it’s to do with water, heat or pipes, it’s a job for a plumbing professional.
Are there any additional fees for emergency plumbing services?
Generally, you can expect to pay more for emergency plumbing call-outs or out-of-hours visits. Plumbing experts tend to be busy. By taking your urgent job, they’ll likely have to push others to the back of the queue.
Because of the nature of the job, they are used to fielding urgent calls, so they can often accommodate you. They’ll also usually carry the parts needed to repair most common problems, too, which means there’s no need to wait around for stock.
Do plumbers charge by the hour or by the job?
Plumbers may charge hourly or daily, or they may quote a fixed fee based on the type of job at hand. They’ll usually agree on a price up-front, including estimates for parts and materials if required, so there shouldn’t be any unexpected costs at the end of the job.
How can I save money on plumbing jobs?
In many cases, prevention is better than cure when it comes to plumbing. Scheduling regular maintenance, especially for appliances such as your boiler, can ensure your plumbed goods are in working order. Regular checks can highlight problems early before they become an expensive issue.
You could also consider scheduling several routine plumbing jobs at once to minimise any call-out fees.
