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How much do plumbers cost?
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From fixing taps to fitting toilets, we’ve surveyed Which? Trusted Traders to find out how much you might need to pay a plumber.
Many plumbing jobs are charged by the hour, and the final cost will be a combination of time, any parts required, and VAT.
Our figures are only a guide to average costs, and there are several factors that can affect how much you’ll be charged, including:
- where you live
- the age and condition of your property
- ease of access to the plumbing
- whether there are isolation valves, or the system needs draining before work can start
- how long the job takes (often influenced by the two factors above)
- the quality of fittings and fixtures that you want to be used
- whether the plumber is disposing of any waste for you.
Cost of fitting and fixing taps
| Job | Details | Price | Time to do job |
|---|---|---|---|
| Replace kitchen mixer tap (no isolation valves) | Remove old tap and fit a standard chrome mixer tap. No isolation valves present, so drain of entire system required. Customer supplies tap. | £90-£300 | 2.5 hours |
| Replace kitchen mixer tap (isolation valves present) | Remove old tap and fit a standard chrome mixer tap, assuming isolation valves are present and easy to access. Customer supplies tap. | £50-£200 | 1-2 hours |
| Fix leaky kitchen tap | Fix a standard mixer tap (spindle tap with washers*) that is dripping constantly. Assumes isolation valves are present. | £45-£200 | 1 hour |
| Install outside tap | Exterior wall behind kitchen sink – if isolation is possible. | £80-£400 | 2 hours |
Prices based on a survey of 25 Which? Trusted Traders, gathered in November 2025. Prices include labour and materials but exclude VAT, unless otherwise specified. Prices are likely to be at the upper end of the scale if you live in London or the South East. *If you have a modern lever tap that uses a cartridge, it may not be possible to repair it in the same way as a spindle tap. But you may be able to replace the cartridge if you can get a replacement from the manufacturer.
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Cost of fitting and fixing sinks and toilets
| Job | Details | Price | Time to do job |
|---|---|---|---|
Fit a new pedestal basin | Install a new basin in the same position, assuming that no new pipework is needed. Customer supplies their own basin. | £80-£800 | 2-4 hours |
| Fit a new toilet | Install a new toilet in the same position, assuming that no new pipework is needed. Customer supplies their own toilet. | £80-£600 | 2-4 hours |
| Replace faulty ball valve in toilet cistern | Replace a flush valve on a toilet cistern including the fill valve. (Dual flush toilets would require two visits so are likely to be at the higher end of the price bracket.) | £50-£300 | 1-2 hours |
| Fix/unblock toilet* | Includes call-out fee, labour and materials. | £80-£300 | 1-2 hours |
Prices based on a survey of 25 Which? Trusted Traders, gathered in November 2025. Prices include labour and materials but exclude VAT, unless otherwise specified. Prices are likely to be at the upper end of the scale if you live in London or the South East. *If the blockage is in the pipework above ground, it’s a plumber’s job. If it moves down into the drain, you’ll need to find a drainage specialist.
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Cost of fixing burst pipes and replacing water tanks
| Job | Details | Price | Time to do job |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fix burst water pipe | Assumes pipes are easily accessible, that it's an emergency call-out and that the water supply can be isolated and turned off. Includes call-out fee, labour and materials. | £100-£500 | 1-2 hours |
| Replace a standard cold-water tank | A like-for-like replacement in an average three-bedroom semi-detached house. It’s often necessary for the work to also include conversion of older pipework. Tank not included. | £200-£900 | 0.5-1 day |
| Replace a standard hot-water tank | A like-for-like replacement of a vented system in an average three-bedroom semi-detached house. Tank not included. | £350-£1,000 | 0.5-1 day |
Prices based on a survey of 25 Which? Trusted Traders, gathered in November 2025. Prices include labour and materials but exclude VAT, unless otherwise specified. Prices are likely to be at the upper end of the scale if you live in London or the South East.
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How to find a good plumber
Trade associations encourage high standards for technical ability and customer service, so it's a good sign if a plumber is a member of one, although some reputable plumbers will choose not to join them.
The Association of Plumbing & Heating Contractors (APHC) and the Chartered Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineering (CIPHE) are both are well respected in the industry.
You can also choose a Which? Trusted Traders – only plumbers who have passed an assessment by our trading standards professionals, and who follow our Code of Conduct, are endorsed. Use the Which? Trusted Traders tool to find reliable plumbers near you:
Hiring a plumber
If you need a plumber for an emergency, call and explain the nature of the problem in as much detail as possible. The plumber should be able to tell you the price for a call-out, but additional costs depend on the nature of the problem and any parts required. Any quote given on the phone will be based on assumptions (that your pipes are in good order, for example), so treat it as a ballpark estimate. You might also be charged for travel and parking.
If the job isn’t urgent, it’s worth spending a little longer looking for the right person. Call at least three plumbing companies and aim to get comparable quotes – you need to compare like with like.
Inviting prospective plumbers to visit should give you an idea of whether they’re trustworthy. For example, do they arrive on time and explain your options without too much jargon? Are you clear on what work would be undertaken and how much it would cost?
Questions to ask include:
- how long has the company been in business?
- can I see references or see examples of similar work?
- is the work guaranteed, and is the guarantee insurance-backed?
- what insurance does the business have, and does it cover my property?
- are there any additional costs, such as travel, parking or waste disposal?
Getting a good quote from your plumber
Ask plumbers to break down the quotes they provide, so you know what you’re being charged for. It’s a good idea to get more than one quote so you have a better idea of the going rate for your particular requirements.
A good trader will:
- clearly set out an understanding of the customer’s needs
- explain the goods and services they will provide to meet those needs
- describe the costs involved, plus how and when they expect to be paid
- present the contract in a professional manner, along with the terms and conditions.
When to pay a plumber
If your job includes extensive work, you may be asked to pay an instalment before the work begins. If this is the case, don’t pay more than 25% of the total cost, and only pay the full balance when you have checked and accepted the work.
How to save money when hiring plumbers
One way to reduce costs is to take responsibility for waste disposal. For smaller jobs, it may be cheaper to take any waste to the recycling centre yourself.
Commercial businesses are charged to use the facilities, so if they take away your rubbish, the cost will be added to your bill.