Find out how much plumbers charge in the UK, including hourly rates, call-out fees, and factors that affect pricing.
Plumbers charge between £25 and £45 an hour. Plumbers would usually ask for at least two hours' work for an hour's worth of pay. So, if you were hiring a plumber who charges £30 an hour, you should expect to pay them for four hours even though they only need three hours to complete the job.
Plumbers can either work directly for companies or be self-employed contracting their services out to different companies. If they are self-employed, they usually charge slightly less than what a company would charge because they have lower overhead costs, such as insurance and equipment. For example, a self-employed labourer charging £20 an hour might ask for a minimum of two hours work for every hour worked.
| Service | Price Range |
|---|---|
| Standard hourly rate (self-employed) | £25-£45 |
| Standard hourly rate (company-employed) | £30-£75 |
| Emergency call-out charge | £50-£100 |
| New shower installation (basic) | £350-£450 |
| Tile replacement (per square meter) | £300-£400 |
The most important factor in determining how much plumbers charge is the location of the work. This is due to the high cost of living in places like London, where plumbers may need to travel long distances, adding extra time and fuel costs. Other factors affecting cost include:
An experienced tradesman at the top of his game could charge between £80-£100 per hour or more depending on the job complexity.
Plumbers typically charge more for specialized services such as drain camera surveys, sump pump repairs, and non-visible leak detection. Always get a quote before work begins to avoid hidden costs.
The more complex the job, the higher the price. Some jobs may require permits, special parts, or more labor, which increases the cost.
Jobs that require special equipment, such as boiler repair, or particularly difficult work will generally cost more due to the specialized nature of the task.
Some plumbers charge a call-out fee in addition to their hourly rate. This fee can range from £50-£100 or more, but some companies do not charge a call-out fee at all.
The average cost of a shower installation in London, including labour, is between £350 and £450 for a basic system. The final quote will depend on the fittings and any additional work required, such as tile replacement, which typically costs £300-£400 per square meter.
Here are 30 of the most common plumbing problems that professionals handle:
Plumbing work can range from £100 to £300 per day, depending on the complexity and materials required. Plumbers have a complex job that involves various sub-disciplines, which is why they are in high demand and charge between £30-£60k per year for their services.
Years of experience, organization skills, and their ability to collaborate with other tradespeople (e.g., electricians, joiners) are all factors that contribute to the price plumbers charge for their services.
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