How Much Do Plumbers Charge?
Indicative UK prices for plumbers' hourly rates and call-outs, common repairs, new toilets, taps and showers, and the plumbing for bathrooms and kitchens – plus what pushes the price up or down.
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There's no fixed price list for plumbing. A leaking joint under a sink and a leaking joint under the bathroom floor are the same fault, but one is a twenty-minute fix and the other means lifting flooring, finding the leak and making good. That's why plumbers ask questions and often want photos before they quote.
The figures below are broad, indicative ranges for the UK, based on typical labour and standard parts. Use them to budget and to sense-check the quotes you receive – not as a promise of what your job will cost. For an accurate price, describe your job and compare written quotes from local plumbers.
Plumber hourly rates and call-out charges
Hourly rates matter most for diagnosis and small repairs. For clearly defined jobs, most plumbers prefer to give a fixed price, which is easier to compare.
| Job | Typical UK price |
|---|---|
| Plumber's hourly rate (most of the UK) | £45–£75 per hour |
| Plumber's hourly rate (London and South East) | £60–£100 per hour |
| Call-out charge or first hour (daytime) | £60–£120 |
| Out-of-hours or emergency call-out | £100–£250+ |
| Plumber's day rate | £250–£450 per day |
Indicative UK prices including VAT where the plumber is VAT-registered. Labour only unless stated – fittings such as toilets, taps and showers are extra. They are a guide to help you sense-check quotes, not a price list. Always get written quotes for your own job.
Plumbing repair costs
Typical prices for common repairs, including standard parts. Hidden leaks and jobs that need floors or walls opening up will cost more.
| Job | Typical UK price |
|---|---|
| Fix a dripping tap (washer or cartridge) | £70–£150 |
| Repair a running toilet (fill or flush valve) | £90–£200 |
| Clear a blocked toilet, sink or basin (no drain jetting) | £70–£150 |
| Repair an accessible leaking pipe or joint | £90–£250 |
| Repair a burst pipe (accessible, excluding making good) | £120–£350 |
| Replace a seized stopcock | £120–£250 |
| Leak detection for a hidden leak (trace and access) | £200–£500 |
Indicative UK prices including VAT where the plumber is VAT-registered. Labour only unless stated – fittings such as toilets, taps and showers are extra. They are a guide to help you sense-check quotes, not a price list. Always get written quotes for your own job.
More on leaks, toilets and blockages in our guide to plumbing repairs and maintenance.
Toilet, tap, sink and appliance installation costs
Fitting prices for like-for-like replacements, assuming the fittings are already bought and the existing pipework is in reasonable condition.
| Job | Typical UK price |
|---|---|
| Replace a kitchen or basin mixer tap | £90–£200 |
| Replace a toilet like for like | £150–£350 |
| Replace a basin and pedestal or vanity unit | £150–£400 |
| Fit a new kitchen sink, tap and waste | £150–£350 |
| Plumb in a washing machine or dishwasher (existing supply) | £80–£150 |
| Fit an outside tap (supply and fit) | £100–£220 |
| Install a water softener (fitting only) | £200–£450 |
Indicative UK prices including VAT where the plumber is VAT-registered. Labour only unless stated – fittings such as toilets, taps and showers are extra. They are a guide to help you sense-check quotes, not a price list. Always get written quotes for your own job.
For new layouts and full refits, see bathroom, kitchen and WC plumbing.
Shower installation and repair costs
Labour prices for common shower jobs. The shower or pump itself is extra, and electrical work, waterproofing and tiling can add considerably.
| Job | Typical UK price |
|---|---|
| Replace an electric shower like for like | £150–£350 |
| Fit a surface-mounted thermostatic mixer shower | £200–£450 |
| Install a shower pump (fitting only) | £200–£450 |
| Replace a thermostatic shower cartridge | £100–£250 |
| New shower tray and enclosure (fitting only) | £300–£800 |
Indicative UK prices including VAT where the plumber is VAT-registered. Labour only unless stated – fittings such as toilets, taps and showers are extra. They are a guide to help you sense-check quotes, not a price list. Always get written quotes for your own job.
Not sure which shower suits your hot water system? Read about showers, power showers and pumps.
Bathroom and kitchen plumbing costs
Larger projects vary the most, because they depend on the layout, the condition of what's there and how many other trades are involved.
| Job | Typical UK price |
|---|---|
| Plumbing for a new kitchen (sink and appliances) | £300–£900 |
| Plumbing labour for a full bathroom refit | £1,200–£3,000 |
| Full bathroom refit, all trades (supply and fit, mid-range) | £5,000–£12,000 |
| Add a downstairs WC (plumbing and drainage, excluding building work) | £1,000–£3,000 |
Indicative UK prices including VAT where the plumber is VAT-registered. Labour only unless stated – fittings such as toilets, taps and showers are extra. They are a guide to help you sense-check quotes, not a price list. Always get written quotes for your own job.
What affects plumbing costs
- The job itself
- Small, well-defined repairs are usually priced as a fixed job; diagnosis and unpredictable work are more often charged by the hour.
- Access
- Pipes under floors, behind tiles or in boxing take longer to reach, and someone has to make good afterwards.
- Parts
- Standard washers, valves and connectors are cheap; specific cartridges, concealed cisterns and pumps can be expensive or need ordering.
- Condition of the pipework
- Old lead, galvanised or corroded pipes and seized valves add time once the job is opened up.
- Timing
- Evenings, weekends, bank holidays and same-day emergencies cost more than a booked weekday visit.
- Location and travel
- London and the South East tend to sit at the top of these ranges; long journeys in rural areas can add a travel charge.
- Other trades
- Electrical work, tiling, plastering and building work can be in the quote or arranged separately.
- Minimum charges
- Many plumbers have a minimum charge, so it's worth bundling small jobs into one visit.
Ways to keep the cost down
- Group small jobs – a dripping tap, a running toilet and a stiff valve – into one visit.
- Send clear photos and model numbers so the plumber brings the right parts first time.
- Book planned work for weekdays rather than evenings or weekends.
- Buy fittings yourself if you're confident they're right – but check what the plumber will guarantee.
- Fix small leaks early, before they damage floors and ceilings.
- Compare like with like: same scope, same parts, same making good.
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Plumber costs: FAQs
How much does a plumber charge per hour in the UK?
Many plumbers charge somewhere around £45–£75 an hour outside London and £60–£100 in London and the South East, often with a minimum call-out or first-hour charge. Emergency and out-of-hours work costs more.
Do plumbers charge a call-out fee?
Many do, especially for repairs. It usually covers travel and the first part of the visit, and some plumbers deduct it from the cost of the repair if you go ahead. Ask how it works before booking.
How much does it cost to fix a leaking tap?
As a rough guide, between £70 and £150 for a standard repair with a new washer or cartridge. If the tap is old or parts aren't available, replacing it may be better value.
Is it cheaper to buy the fittings myself?
Sometimes. Plumbers often add a margin to parts they supply, but they also take responsibility for them being right and working. If you buy your own toilet, taps or shower, check compatibility first and ask what the plumber will guarantee.
Why do plumbing quotes vary so much?
Mostly because of scope and assumptions: one quote may include new valves, connectors and making good; another may assume everything goes smoothly. Ask each plumber to itemise what's included and what would cost extra.
Should I pay a plumber up front?
For small repairs, payment is normally on completion. For larger jobs, a deposit for materials is common, with the balance paid when the work is finished. Avoid paying the full amount before work starts, and agree terms in writing.
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