How Much Does a Plumber Cost in 2026?
The typical plumber cost per hour is £40 to £80, or £200 to £350 per day outside London. An emergency plumber cost starts from £100 to £250 for the call-out alone. Below you will find fixed prices for every common plumbing job, from a dripping tap to a full bathroom re-pipe.
£40
Hourly from
£200
Day rate from
£50+
Call-out fee
£100+
Emergency
Prices updated April 2026 · Based on industry data and contractor submissions.
Gas Safe warning. Any plumbing work that involves gas appliances (boilers, gas hobs, gas fires) must be carried out by a Gas Safe registeredengineer. It is illegal for anyone else to do gas work, and it is dangerous. Always check the engineer's Gas Safe ID card before they start.
Plumber Cost per Hour and Day Rate
How much does a plumber cost per hour? The cost of a plumber per hour varies by region, with London commanding the highest prices. Day rates usually work out cheaper for bigger jobs.
Plumber hourly rate (outside London)
£40 – £60
Plumber hourly rate (London)
£60 – £80
Plumber day rate (outside London)
£200 – £350
Plumber day rate (London)
£300 – £450
Call-out fee (standard hours)
£50 – £100
Emergency call-out (evening/weekend)
£100 – £250
Rates based on industry data. VAT may or may not be included depending on whether the plumber is VAT registered (turnover above £90,000).
Common Plumbing Job Prices and Installation Costs
Fixed prices for the most common plumbing jobs in 2026. These include labour and basic materials unless stated otherwise.
| Job | Typical Cost |
|---|---|
| Fix a dripping tap | £60 – £120 |
| Unblock a drain | £80 – £150 |
| Replace a radiator | £150 – £350 |
| Install an outside tap | £100 – £200 |
| Replace a toilet | £150 – £300 |
| Fit a new basin | £100 – £250 |
| Repair a leak | £100 – £250 |
| Re-pipe a bathroom | £500 – £1,500 |
| Move a soil stack | £400 – £1,200 |
| Install a water softener | £300 – £600 |
Prices include labour and standard materials. Premium fixtures, difficult access, or work in London will push costs towards the higher end.
Plumber Costs by Region
Plumbing costs vary across the UK, driven mainly by differences in labour rates. London is the most expensive; the North East and Wales are the most affordable.
| Region | Hourly Rate | vs National |
|---|---|---|
| London | £60 – £80 | +30% |
| South East | £50 – £70 | +15% |
| South West | £45 – £60 | +5% |
| Midlands | £40 – £60 | Average |
| East of England | £45 – £65 | +8% |
| Yorkshire | £40 – £55 | -5% |
| North West | £40 – £55 | -3% |
| North East | £35 – £50 | -12% |
| Scotland | £40 – £55 | -5% |
| Wales | £35 – £55 | -8% |
Based on industry data. Rates are for qualified plumbers during standard working hours.
How to Reduce Your Plumber Cost
Plumbing bills add up, but there are straightforward ways to keep costs down without cutting corners.
Book during normal hours whenever possible
Emergency call-outs cost two to three times as much as a standard appointment. If the problem is not causing active damage - a slow drip rather than a burst pipe - turn off the water at the stopcock and book a plumber for the next working day. You will save £50 to £150 on the call-out fee alone.
Bundle small jobs into one visit
If you have a dripping tap, a running toilet, and a radiator that needs bleeding, get them all done in one visit. You pay one call-out fee instead of three, and the plumber can often knock a bit off for the extra work. Keep a list of niggly jobs and sort them all at once.
Supply your own materials for simple jobs
Plumbers mark up materials - sometimes 20 to 40%. For straightforward jobs where you know exactly what is needed (a specific tap, a toilet, a basin), buy it yourself from a plumbing merchant or online. Just check with the plumber first so you get the right spec, and be aware that some will not guarantee materials they did not supply.
Get three quotes and compare like for like
Plumbing quotes can vary wildly - by 50% or more for the same job. Get at least three written quotes that break down labour, materials, and VAT. Ask what is included and what counts as extra. The cheapest quote is not always the best; look for TrustMark-registered plumbers and weigh up experience, reviews, and guarantees.
Learn to handle the basics yourself
Changing a tap washer, replacing a toilet fill valve, or unblocking a sink with a plunger are all things you can learn in ten minutes. A £2 washer and five minutes of your time saves a £60 to £120 call-out. Keep a basic plumbing toolkit - adjustable spanner, plunger, PTFE tape, and a set of tap washers - and you will save hundreds over the years.
What to Expect: The Plumbing Repair Process
Never hired a plumber before? Here is how a typical repair works, from diagnosis to sign-off.
- 1
Diagnose the problem
The plumber assesses the issue on arrival, identifies the cause, and explains what needs doing. For leaks, they trace the source. For blockages, they determine the location and severity. A good plumber explains the problem in plain English before quoting.
- 2
Isolate water supply
The water supply is turned off at the stopcock or isolation valve to prevent further damage while the repair is carried out. For emergency call-outs, you can do this yourself while waiting - know where your stopcock is before you need it.
- 3
Carry out repair or replacement
The plumber repairs the faulty pipe, joint, valve, or fitting. If parts are beyond repair, they are replaced with new components. For larger jobs, the plumber may need to lift floorboards or open up a wall to access the pipework.
- 4
Test for leaks
The water supply is restored and all repaired connections are checked under full pressure. The plumber runs taps, flushes toilets, and checks for drips to confirm everything is working properly.
- 5
Clean up and restore
The work area is cleaned, any lifted floorboards or panels are replaced, and the plumber walks you through what was done. Get a receipt that details the work done, parts used, and the guarantee. Check everything yourself before paying.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a plumber charge per hour in 2026?
Most plumbers charge between £40 and £60 per hour outside London, and £60 to £80 per hour in London. On top of the hourly rate, expect a call-out fee of £50 to £100 for the first visit. For larger jobs, a day rate of £200 to £350 (or £300 to £450 in London) usually works out cheaper than paying by the hour.
How much does it cost to fix a leaking pipe?
Repairing a leak typically costs between £100 and £250, depending on where the leak is and how difficult it is to access. A straightforward joint repair on an exposed pipe is at the lower end. If the plumber needs to lift floorboards, open up a wall, or trace a hidden leak, costs go up. Emergency call-outs for burst pipes outside normal hours cost £100 to £250 for the call-out alone, plus the repair cost.
How much does it cost to replace a toilet?
Replacing a toilet like-for-like costs £150 to £300 including labour and materials for a standard close-coupled toilet. If the waste pipe needs moving or the floor needs making good, add another £100 to £200. A wall-hung toilet with a concealed cistern costs more to install because of the frame that needs building into or mounting against the wall.
Do plumbers charge a call-out fee?
Most plumbers charge a call-out fee of £50 to £100 during normal working hours (Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm). This typically covers the first 30 to 60 minutes of work. Emergency call-outs in the evening, at weekends, or on bank holidays cost significantly more - usually £100 to £250 - because the plumber is giving up their personal time.
Is it cheaper to call a plumber or do it myself?
For simple jobs like changing a tap washer (£2 in parts vs £60 to £120 for a plumber), DIY makes obvious sense. But for anything involving soldering, moving pipework, or connecting to the mains, a botched DIY job often costs more to put right than hiring a plumber in the first place. Water damage from a failed DIY repair can run into thousands. If in doubt, get a quote first.
How much does an emergency plumber cost?
Emergency plumber call-out fees range from £100 to £250, depending on the time of day and your location. This is just the call-out - the actual repair is charged on top. Weekend and bank holiday rates are highest. To keep costs down, know where your stopcock is so you can shut off the water while you wait, and call during working hours if the situation allows.
Written by James Carter, Less.co.uk energy specialist
Last updated: · Pricing based on industry data and verified contractor submissions · Methodology
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