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Plumbing is often best left in the hands of a qualified, licensed plumber. Plumbers generally charge $105 per hour, and the average plumbing repair costs a flat rate of $325.
Find out how much a plumber costs for repairs ranging from basic unclogs to complex sewer line fixes.
Plumbing Repair Cost
Most plumbing repairs cost $325. Simple repairs, like drain unclogging, may cost as little as $170. Repairs that take more time, like installing a toilet, cost close to $500.
| Average Cost | $325 |
| Low Cost | $170 |
| High Cost | $500 |
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Plumber Hourly Cost
The average hourly cost for a plumber is $105. Depending on the area and the plumber’s level of experience, the hourly cost can be as low as $35 or as high as $170.
| Average Cost | $105 |
| Low Cost | $35 |
| High Cost | $170 |
Common Plumbing Repair Costs
Flat rates for common plumbing repairs start at around $150 to $190 for leak repairs and unclogs and range up to $1,200 to $1,800 for more complex work, such as repairing a drain line or replacing a water heater.
| Type of Repair | Average Cost | Low Cost | High Cost |
| Fix a Leak | $340 | $150 | $525 |
| Fix or Unclog a Toilet | $285 | $100 | $470 |
| Replace a Toilet | $470 | $240 | $700 |
| Install a New Faucet | $340 | $150 | $535 |
| Unclog a Drain | $275 | $125 | $425 |
| Repair a Drain Line | $700 | $225 | $1,175 |
| Repair a Water Heater | $450 | $190 | $715 |
| Install or Replace a Water Heater | $1,320 | $855 | $1,785 |
| Unclog a Sewer Line | $600 | $320 | $875 |
Fix a Leak
The average cost for a plumber to repair a leak is $340. A leak in a kitchen drain pipe that needs tightening can cost as little as $150. Leaks that are difficult to locate can cost up to $525.
Fix or Unclog a Toilet
Unclogging a toilet costs $285 on average.
If the toilet needs a thorough plunging, the repair may cost as low as $100. When the plumber needs to use a toilet snake or closet auger, the fix may cost as much as $470.
Replace a Toilet
On average, a plumber charges $470 to replace a toilet.
Though replacing a toilet is simple, complications like a closet flange that doesn’t meet floor level can drive the cost as high as $700.
Install a New Faucet
The average cost for a plumber to install a new faucet is $340.
When all of the water supply and drain pipes are in place, installing a new faucet may cost as low as $150. When new pipes need to be added, the cost may rise to as much as $535.
Unclog a Drain
Unclogging a drain clog costs a flat rate of $125, on up to $425. The average cost to unclog a drain is $275.
Simple drain clogs may only require disassembling the P-trap under the sink. Difficult clogs located far down the line will need to be cleared with a drain snake.
Repair a Drain Line
The average cost to repair a drain line is around $700.
Drain lines that are difficult to repair due to limited access may cost as much as $1,175. When the drain line is located in an open wall or ceiling, a plumber may charge as little as $225 to repair it.
Repair a Water Heater
The average cost to repair a water heater is $450. Simple repairs, like testing the T&P valve, will cost around $190. More difficult repairs, like replacing the anode rods, will cost $715.
Install or Replace a Water Heater
Installing or replacing a water heater costs $1,320, with much of the cost being the cost of the water heater itself. A smaller water heater may cost as little as $855, on up to $1,785 for higher capacity models.
Unclog a Sewer Line
The cost for a plumber to unclog a sewer line is $600, on average. On the lower end, clog removals can cost $320 or as much as $875 for clogs located far down the sewer line.
Emergency Plumbing Costs
When time is critical, some plumbers charge higher emergency plumbing fees to show up promptly, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Plumbers charge an average of $350 per hour for emergency calls. Some plumbers will add an emergency call trip fee, for an average of $225 per trip.
Plumbing Cost Factors
- Type of repair
- Materials used in the repair
- Markup (around 15 percent) that the plumber may add to some materials
- Complexity of the repair
- Permits required
- Demolition of walls and ceiling to access the plumbing
- Time that the repair takes
- Emergency repair vs. scheduled repair
Other Plumbing Repair Costs
Less common plumbing repairs include repairing the sewer or water mains, replumbing the house, or installing new plumbing.
| Type of Repair | Average Cost | Low Cost | High Cost |
| Repair Sewer Main Line | $3,075 | $1,250 | $4,900 |
| Inspect Sewer With Video Camera | $425 | $350 | $500 |
| Install New Plumbing | $1,190 | $375 | $2,000 |
| Replumb Entire House | $6,095 | $5,190 | $7,000 |
| Repair Water Main | $1,825 | $450 | $3,200 |
Repair a Sewer Main Line
Hiring a plumber to repair a sewer main line costs $3,075, on average.
Repairing a sewer main line is a difficult task that requires digging as deep as 48 inches below ground level. The cost can range to $5,000 or more if the entire yard needs to be excavated.
Inspect Sewer With Video Camera
It costs $425 for a plumber to inspect a sewer main line with a remote video camera.
When a sewer line clog cannot be cleared or identified, it’s usually worthwhile to check the line with a remote video camera.
Install New Plumbing
Installing new plumbing in a single room, like a bathroom or kitchen, costs an average of around $1,200.
Extending pipes a short distance to a new location may cost as little as $375. When a long run of pipes is required, the plumber may charge as much as $2,000.
Replumb a House
The average cost to replumb a 2,000-square-foot house is $6,095 when the plumber has full access to the walls.
Replumbing a house can easily cost $10,000 to $20,000 for larger homes with more plumbing facilities.
Repair Water Main
On average, a plumber charges. $1,825 to repair the water main supply line.
Repairs located where the water main enters the house can cost as little as $450. When longer sections of the water main line need to be dug up and replaced, repairs can cost up to $3,200.
Special Plumbing Services
Homes with sump pumps, septic tanks, water purification systems, and other special features may need a plumber for installation or repairs.
- Repairing a septic system costs from $575 to $3,000, for an average cost of $1,790. Septic system repairs sometimes require digging up and replacing leach lines in the yard.
- Cleaning a septic system costs from $290 to $555, for an average cost of $420. Septic tank cleaning doesn’t require a plumber, but it’s a plumbing-related project. A septic tank should be pumped about once every three to five years.
- Installing a water purification system costs an average of $2,150, though some systems may start at $1,000. A whole-house purification system installed near the main water shut-off valve will clean and filter water in the entire house.
- Installing a gas line costs an average of $600, though may cost as much as $900. A new gas line must be installed for gas stoves, furnaces, water heaters, and fireplaces.
- Repairing a gas line costs an average of $510, ranging from a low of $225 to a high of $800.
- Installing a sump pump costs an average of $1,375, though some pumps may cost up to $2,100. A sump pump installed in a sump pit keeps a house dry when the groundwater table rises.
- Repairing a sump pump costs an average of $520. Since the sump pump should be active 24 hours a day, it’s necessary to keep it repaired and well-maintained.
How to Save Money on a Plumber
Plumbers are generally expensive, even for basic projects like repairing a toilet or adding new pipes. Learn ways to save money on the high cost of hiring a plumber.
- Do the work yourself: Most homeowners can do basic plumbing projects such as replacing a toilet, fixing a leak, or unclogging a toilet.
- Locate the main shut-off: Know where to find the house’s main water shut-off valve so you can limit costly water damage if a pipe is flooding the home.
- Schedule the repairs: Build in sufficient lead time by scheduling the plumbing repairs. Urgent plumbing repairs usually incur emergency fees.
- Demo walls yourself: Save on costly hourly charges by tearing out wall or ceiling drywall by yourself.
- Save with coupons: Take advantage of coupons, a common feature on many plumbers’ websites.
- Maintain the plumbing: Avoid calling a plumber in the first place with simple DIY maintenance tasks like flushing the water heater, not putting items like oil and pasta down the drain, and regularly checking the water heater’s T&P valve.
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