Plumber Cost

• Plumbers' rates vary significantly by location. In some areas plumbers charge $45 -$75 an hour; in other regions the hourly rate can be $75 -$150. Most plumbers charge a two-hour minimum or a service call fee of $75 -$150, and some plumbers bill a flat fee per job instead of an hourly rate. Either away, exact costs will depend on the complexity and type of work done. For example, it can cost $50 -$200 to have a plumber repair a toilet by replacing the tank mechanism, wax ring (underneath the toilet) or flange (under the wax ring). Replacing a toilet typically costs $150 -$600 for standard installation of a basic toilet.
• Unclogging a toilet can cost $65 -$250 or more for a simple obstruction in just the toilet and unclogging a drain can cost $50 -$450 or more for a simple obstruction. If a plumber needs to "snake" the main sewer line with a cable and cutting head to remove debris and tree roots it can cost $100 -$800 or more, depending on the distance snaked. If the pipes are damaged, sewer line replacement can cost $1,000 -$25,000 or more, depending on the length and depth of existing pipes, replacement method used and complexity of the project, with a typical cost of $3,000 -$6,000 for the traditional dig-up-and-replace sewer technique for an average family home.
• If a kitchen isn't already set up for a garbage disposal, running the pipes to add one can cost $100 -$450; the disposal itself can be another $50 -$2,500. A plumber typically charges $200 -$500 to install a standard utility sink if the basic hook-ups and vents are already in place, or $500 -$1,300 or more to add he basic hook-ups; the utility sink itself can cost another $50 -$900 or more.
• Having a plumber install a water heater can cost $300 -$3,500 or more for a traditional tank water heater, depending on capacity, quality of materials, length of warranty and any repairs needed to bring the installation up to current building codes. A central, whole-house tankless water heater typically costs $800 -$3,000, or $1,800 -$5,000 with installation.
• If water in a crawlspace or basement is a problem, expect to pay $250 -$600 parts and labor to have a plumber install a basic sump pump.
• Plumbing for new house construction can cost $200 -$800 per fixture in low-cost, rural areas or $800 -$1,100 or more per fixture in high-cost urban areas, with a toilet sink and bathtub each considered an individual fixture; a house with 10 fixtures could cost $2,000 -$11,000. Tearing out old pipes and installing copper pipes in a two-bedroom, 1,500-square-foot home can cost $2,000 -$15,000 or more, depending on location, the size and condition of the crawlspace under the home, the amount of wall to be torn out and other factors.

• CIDNetwork.net lists tips for choosing a plumber. If it's not an emergency, get several estimates (in writing if possible). Ask for recommendations from family, friends, neighbors or co-workers, or at the local home improvement or hardware store. For larger projects, search for local members of the Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors Association.
• Ask about relevant experience. Request and check references; verify that they are properly bonded, insured and licensed. State regulations vary, but typically there are different qualifications required for licensing as a journeyman plumber, residential specialty plumber, backflow specialty plumber or other categories.
• Check for any complaints filed with the Better Business Bureau.

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