Some of the most common types of home repairs involve your plumbing.
These are things you can’t take care of yourself, and they’re things you don’t want to leave alone for too long. Otherwise, the problem can get much worse, costing you a lot more money in the long run.
Before you can hire a plumber, you need to make sure you have enough money set aside for the repairs. How much do plumbers charge?
We’ve put together this guide to help you find out. So let’s get started!
The Average Cost of Plumbing Services
There’s no one-size-fits-all price for these types of services. The exact amount of money a plumber will charge you for their services depends on several factors, including the type of work you need and who you hire.
On average, you can expect to pay anywhere between $45 to $200 an hour.
But that number can either go up or down on both ends.
For example, not all plumbers charge by the hour. They may have a flat fee—usually between $75 to $250. Paying the flat fee rate may save you some money if the job lasts a few hours, but if the job is quick, this option might be more expensive in the long run. In some cases, hourly rates can save you money, but they can also make the price higher.
It all comes down to your personal circumstances. Here are a few more estimations that can help you come up with an accurate budget.
The Job
The type of job you need to get done will have a significant impact on the amount you have to pay. You may be able to take care of some small jobs for under $100, but larger jobs will cost several hundred.
Here’s a quick breakdown of common plumbing jobs and their average prices.
Minor:
- Unclogging a sink – $75 to $250
- Shower and toilet repair – $140 to $300
- Drain line repair – $125 to $250
- Pipe repair – $120 to $180
Moderate:
- Water heater repair – $220 to $500
- Cleaning a sewer line – $75 to $450
- Sump pump repair – $380 to $550
- Installing a toilet – $250 to $750
Major:
- Water main repair – $450 to $2,500
- Ceiling leak repair – $700 to $3,000
- Sewer main line repair – $1,800 to $3,700
- Installation of new plumbing pipes – $2,200 to $5,100
In general, most types of plumbing installations, such as a bathtub, water heater, drainage system, etc., will be significant jobs. So you should expect to pay a lot of money on these things.
The Experience
The level of experience a plumber has can also play a big part in how much they charge.
For example, there are three different types of plumbers you can hire: master, journeyman, and apprentice.
A master plumber has the most experience and education, so they charge about $75 to $120 per hour. A journeyman is a plumber that has finished their apprenticeship but hasn’t reached the level of master yet, so they’ll charge much less, usually $24 per hour. An apprentice plumber is still learning the trade, so they only cost $14 per hour.
You shouldn’t hire an apprentice plumber just to save money, though. Remember, you get what you pay for. It’s a better idea to employ a master plumber to ensure you get quality services.
How Much Do Plumbers Charge? Other Things That’ll Impact the Price
There are several other things you have to think about as you’re coming up with your plumbing budget. If you don’t account for these extra expenses, you might find yourself paying much more money than you estimated.
Here are a few other factors that’ll impact the overall price.
Who You Hire
Every plumber sets their own hourly rates or flat fees. Because of this, two plumbers might charge a different amount for the same job. This will make some plumbers more expensive than others.
But that doesn’t mean you should hire the cheapest plumber you can find. We already touched on this above, but it’s a better idea to spend more money on an experienced plumber upfront than have to hire another plumber to re-do the work later.
The best way to find a nearby plumber in your area is to spend some time doing research and reading reviews.
Cost of Supplies
In some cases, you may need to cover the cost of the materials or supplies the plumber uses during the job. If the task is minor, like unclogging a sink, you may not have to worry about this expense.
Travel Expenses
Many plumbers charge a travel fee to cover the time they spend driving to and from your home. This fee is usually about $1 to $2 per mile. While this might not seem like much, it can add up if you live far away from the plumber’s office.
Emergency Jobs
You’ll have to pay more for emergency plumbing jobs—this includes weekends, holidays, or after-hours calls. In many cases, the cost of the job will double )or even triple) for this type of work. This means you could be spending $135 to $600 an hour.
If you can avoid calling a plumber during the weekends or a holiday, you should. However, sometimes this is unavoidable.
Putting Together Your Plumbing Budget
So how much do plumbers charge?
In short, it depends. But plumbing work often isn’t cheap. As you’re putting together your plumbing budget, you should expect to pay several hundred dollars (or several thousand if the job is major).
It’s a good idea to talk to a few plumbers in your area to get estimates. An estimate will give you a better idea of how much a job will cost and who to hire.
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