How much does a plumber cost?

Our Australian Plumbing Cost Guide will help you calculate the cost of your next plumbing job. So, how much does a plumber cost? Depending on the type of task, the actual plumber cost can be as little as $80 for a leaky tap or as much as $20,000 to replace your whole drainage system. Plumber cost per hour is usually between $80 and $200.

Whether you need emergency plumbers for a situation that can’t wait or a plumber service for a planned renovation or routine maintenance, access to quality licensed tradesmen is critical.

When you’re prepared with all you need to know about the costs associated with different plumbing jobs, you’ll be able to plan accordingly. In this cost guide, we cover:

• What services a plumber provides
• Pricing for plumber rates per hour
• Tips for hiring a plumber, and more.

Want to find a plumber in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide or Perth?

What services do plumbers offer?

Many people don’t think of plumbers unless a drain is clogged, the toilet is overflowing, or they experience an unwelcome cold shower. In actual fact, general plumbing and drainage services offer much more. Plumbing jobs include:

• Unclogging a toilet, bath or sink
• Fixing leaky faucets
• Installing, repairing or replacing bathroom vanity units, sinks, showers and toilets
• Repairing water and drain pipes
• Repairing or installing washing machines or dishwashers
• Fixing and replacing water heaters
• Repairing gas leaks
• Installing and repairing gutters, and more.

While specialty plumbers handle larger projects, such as installing:

• Sewer lines
• Natural gas lines
• Water mains, and more.

If you need plumbing jobs done, you can get free local quotes easily with Yellow Pages.

How much does a plumber cost?

How much does a plumber cost? Typically, you’ll pay a call-out fee for the plumber to assess your property. After that, most services are charged hourly until the job is complete.

Plumber cost varies depending on factors such as location, scope of work, required equipment, and the plumber’s experience. This may also include whether they are licensed through the Master Plumbers Association.

Continue reading our Australian Plumbing Cost Guide for a detailed breakdown of plumbing costs across various scenarios, such as new home builds, bathroom renovations, hot water system installations, blocked drains, pipe repairs, and emergency plumbing services. We’ll cover the costs involved to help you plan and budget accordingly.

Plumber cost per hour

Plumber call out fees typically range from $80 to $250, but can be higher. Wondering how much does a plumber charge per hour? Plumbers rates per hour usually sit between $80 and $200.

Some may offer fixed price plumbing for certain services. For instance, installing water systems or unblocking drains.

Want to find a plumber in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide or Perth?

How much does an emergency plumbing job cost?

During regular work hours, most emergency plumbers charge their standard hourly rate, though some may apply a premium. For an emergency plumbing service outside the typical 9-to-5, expect significantly higher rates.

Weekend, holiday or late night calls can even double the plumber call out fee. Emergency call out rates typically range from $150 to upwards of $250, making them much higher than regular hours.

Plumbers hourly rate by city

How much do plumbers charge per hour in your city? Across major Australian cities the average plumber hourly rate is the following:

• Plumber hourly rate Sydney: $80-$250
• Plumber hourly rate Melbourne: $80-$200
• Plumber hourly rate Brisbane: $80-$200
• Plumber hourly rate Perth: $80-$200
• Plumber hourly rate Canberra: $90-$200
• Plumber hourly rate Adelaide: $80-$180

It’s important to be mindful of the different factors that affect the cost for a plumber, such as the project’s type and size, as well as the materials required.

Plumbing price list

Here’s a breakdown of the average plumber charges and pricing, depending on your location and the plumber’s skill:

• $80 – $150 for repairing leaking toilets or dripping taps
• $80 – $350 for fitting new sink taps or bath taps or for a new shower head
• $250 – $550+ for installing toilets, baths or sinks
• $1,200 – $4,500 for replacing water heaters
• $3,000 – $12,000 for installing solar hot water systems
• $5,000 – $20,000 for drainage contractors to replace the whole system
• $10,000 – $20,000 to re-plumb the whole house (depending on size and nature of the pipe work and other variables).

The average toilet installation price is between $300 and $400. It’s one of the most necessary fixtures, so if you see any weaknesses or damage start to appear, address it quickly.

Read more: How much does toilet replacement cost?

For bigger jobs, don’t forget to consider costs for additional work after the plumbing is complete, such as tiling, rendering and painting.

How do I estimate plumbing costs?

This Australian Plumbing Cost Guide can help you work out a rough estimate of what plumbing prices you can expect to pay.

The best way to get accurate up-to-date estimates on plumbing rates per hour and pricing is to get in touch with your local licensed tradesmen for an idea of the current market in your area. Compare multiple quotes, and study them carefully. Some plumbing estimates will include costs for materials supplied and used, while others may omit this information.

Plan for potential additional costs if the job’s scope turns out to be larger than anticipated. Discuss this with your plumber beforehand. Also, ensure you’re home when the plumber arrives, as you may be charged for any waiting time.

Plumbing services and gas fitters by city

Looking for a plumber or gas fitter in your city? Find your top-rated local professional here:

• Plumber in Sydney
• Plumber in Melbourne
• Plumber in Brisbane
• Plumber in Adelaide
• Plumber in Perth
• Plumber in Canberra

If you’ve found our Australian Plumbing Cost Guide helpful, explore more articles in our Cost Guide Centre for expert insights on other essential services.

Average cost of plumbing a new house

When estimating the cost to plumb a new house, consider that factors like the size of the property and the number of bathrooms will significantly impact the overall price. The current costs of plumbing a new home are approximately:

• $2,000 to $15,000 for pipework installation (depending on the size)
• $600 to $2,000 per bathroom appliance, kitchen or laundry
• $2,000 to $5,000 for a hot water service installation
• $7,000 to $12,000 for putting in an air-conditioning and/or heating unit.

Read more: How much does air conditioner installation cost?

How much does it cost to plumb a 2,000 square foot house?

If you’re building a new 2,000 square foot house with two bathrooms, the plumber cost will be approximately $12,000 to $18,000. For smaller homes, units or granny flats it can cost anywhere between $6,000 and $10,000.

Should my plumber be licensed?

When it comes to the trades, it’s important to have confidence in the people working on your property. Fortunately, Australian plumbing professionals are legally required to hold a license to be able to advertise their business or start any work on your home, in any state.

A standard plumbing license is sufficient for most jobs. However, if the work involves gas-related items, you’ll need to hire a plumber with a gas fitting license.

All plumbers should give you a “compliance certificate” upon completion of works to state that they have completed the job to the necessary specifications and standards.

What is a master plumber?

Have you seen the term “master plumber” and wondered what exactly it is? A master plumber has received their license through the Master Plumbers Association in their state. This means, master plumbers are up-to-date with the latest industry information, helping them maintain high standards of practice and the best level of care for their customers.

Instead of searching for the cheapest quotes for the job, with a master plumber you will be choosing a specialist based on their reputation, skill and location. In effect, this can limit the risk of poor workmanship.

There are, however, many quality licensed professionals who are not members of the Master Plumbers Association.

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What’s the difference between plumbers and plumbing contractors?

The main difference between plumbers and plumbing contractors is that licensed contractors are authorised to supervise plumbers that have a tradesperson certificate, and are required to inspect their completed work. On the other hand, the person who comes to fix your leaky tap or other common household problems is a plumber, and oftentimes that plumber works for a contractor.

Contractors are usually hired for large projects and more complex tasks that include repairs, renovations and jobs that involve the water supply or septic system. In the case of small businesses, the plumber is sometimes also the contractor.

What’s the difference between drainage contractors and general plumbers?

A common mistake many people make is calling a plumber when in fact they need a drainage contractor. Plumbing and drainage may seem like the same ballgame, but they operate on very different systems. The drainage system is the way wastewater exits the property, while the plumbing system is how clean water enters the property.

The features drainage contractors handle include:

• Inspecting, unblocking and cleaning drains
• Detecting leakages
• Low water pressure
• Unblocking sewer drains
• Repairing pipes
• Disposal of liquid waste
• Tree root control

The jobs general plumbers conduct include:

• Installations, such as new toilet
• Leaky taps
• Hot water system problems

Getting plumber quotes

Plumbing pricing can take a toll on the budget, but it’s always worth engaging the services of reliable and qualified professionals rather than seeking cheap, inferior labour for your plumbing jobs. You can easily find expert and licensed local businesses on the Yellow Pages online directory and compare multiple free quotes.

Want to find a plumber in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide or Perth?

* The costs and plumbing prices list quoted have been sourced at the time this Australian Plumbing Cost Guide was written and should only be used as an estimate.