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Cost guide: plumbers

We round up the average costs for some common plumbing jobs, from fixing taps to fitting toilets.

Last Updated: Jan 2020

In this article

We’ve surveyed Which? Trusted Traders¹ to find out how much you might need to pay for common plumbing work around your home.

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.


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.

Find trusted plumbers near you. Only plumbers who have passed an assessment by our trading standards professionals, and who follow our Code of Conduct, can become Trusted Traders.

Cost of fitting and fixing taps

Unless otherwise specified, prices include labour and materials but exclude VAT.

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.

£150+ cost of tap

3-4 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.

£80 labour + cost of tap

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.

£60

1 hour

Install outside tap

Exterior wall behind kitchen sink – if isolation is possible.

£95 - £130

1–2 hours


*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.

Cost of fitting and fixing sinks and toilets

Unless otherwise specified, prices include labour and materials but exclude VAT

Job

Details

Price range

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.

£110 - £180

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.

£130-£200

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.)

£80- £120

1 – 2 hours

Fix/unblock toilet**

Includes call-out fee, labour and materials.

£60-£80

1–2 hours


**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.

Cost of fixing burst pipes and replacing water tanks

Unless otherwise specified, prices include labour and materials but exclude VAT.

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

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.

£350 - £450

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.

£500 - £660

0.5–1 day

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.

More on this


¹Costs were checked and updated in 2018.

 

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Have a question?

029 2267 0040
Mon–Fri: 9:00–17:00
Standard network rate.