COST GUIDES
Plumber call-out charges: Cost breakdown 2026
Updated 03/26
Plumbers can be absolute heroes when we have problems with drains, pipes or waterworks in our homes. They save us when we have leaks, fix our plumbing when the heating has packed up, and do hundreds other jobs that help keep our homes in good working order.
When you’re looking for a plumber, it’s important to know what their call-out fee is and what it covers (if anything).
Fast Facts
The average call-out charge for an emergency plumber is in the region of £110
A plumber's hourly rate typically averages around £45
Day rates for plumbers tend to sit in the region of £325 to £375
How much are plumber call-out charges in 2026?
| Item | Range - Low | Range - High | Average cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plumber hourly rate | £40 | £60 | £45 |
| Plumber daily rate | £325 | £375 | £350 |
| Emergency call out fee | £100 | £120 | £110 |
| Last updated: March 2026 Our costs are ballpark averages - get a local tradesperson to quote now | |||
Expect to pay about £40 to £60 per hour to call out a plumber to your home, or between £100 to £120 for an emergency call-out.
These costs cover labour only. If your job involves additional parts, you'll need to pay for those separately.
This gives you some ballpark figures for the UK, but your final bill can vary depending on your location, the urgency of the job, and your location.
Read on for a full breakdown of the costs you can expect. As with all tradespeople, labour rates will vary depending on where you live.
Data verified by our professional estimators
Estimators are CIOB & RICS members
How much do plumbers charge per hour?
As a rough guide, you can expect to pay about £40 to £60 per hour for a plumber to do work in your home.
When calling out a plumber, they’ll often charge you their hourly or daily rate, rather than a fixed call-out fee. That is, unless it’s an emergency, which we’ll cover in a moment.
How much do plumbers charge per day?
On average, plumbers charge between £325 to £375 per day. This includes standard labour but excludes parts or emergency call-out fees. Be sure to check whether there’s a call-out charge for a plumber to visit your property and if there are any additional costs to be aware of to avoid surprises upon completion.
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How much does an emergency plumber cost?
Emergency plumbers will often charge a call-out fee of £100 to £120 on average in the UK.
The most common occasion when a plumber will charge a call-out fee simply for showing up at your home is in an emergency out of hours.
On top of this, their hourly rate will also be higher. If you urgently need a plumber in an emergency, it’s a good idea to check the fee and hourly rate they will charge for the work.
Plumber call-out prices per project
The services of checked and reviewed tradespeople are invaluable when faced with a plumbing emergency. These are the average costs for some of the most common emergency plumbing jobs:
Gas leak/repairing gas pipes – £165 (covering a simple repair for small section of copper pipework)
Boiler breakdown – £275 (covering a simple part repair - i.e. a new electrode)
Loss of boiler pressure – £182 (covering a repressure of the boiler using a filling loop)
Blocked/overflowing toilet – £100 (such as with a toilet auger)
Blocked sink – £100
Broken pipe – £100 (this covers a simple repair for a small section of uPVC pipe)
Sewer backup – £175 (e.g. rodding a sewer pipe)
Blocked drain – £175 (this will cover rodding a sewer pipe)
Emergency call-out fees will vary from plumber to plumber, so, where possible, it’s worth shopping around to check you’re being quoted a fair price.
There may also be a minimum one-hour charge for any emergency call-out work, so make sure you confirm that before hiring a plumber.
Plumber call-out fees: Job estimator tool
Use our job estimator tool to see how much plumbers charge in your local area, and what you can expect to pay for your task.
Job Estimate Calculator
Factors affecting plumber call out fees
Emergency plumber costs may vary depending on:
Location: The further you are from where the plumber is based, the more you’ll pay for the call-out fee. Prices also tend to be on the higher side in cities or remote areas
Time of day: Expect to pay more if you need to call out a plumber for out-of-hours work, i.e., nights or weekends
Job complexity: The type of work that you need the plumber to do will directly affect how much they charge, and is probably the biggest influence on the total price. More difficult jobs mean more time and expertise
Required materials: If the plumber needs to provide or order any parts to complete the work, you’ll need to pay for those on top of any call-out fee or hourly rate
Urgency: The more immediate the job, the higher the cost is likely to be
What's included in a plumber's quote?
Always check with your chosen plumber exactly what's included in the quote they've given you. Most will give you an itemised breakdown.
A quote usually includes:
Labour costs, including hourly or daily rate plus call out fee
Parts, materials, and fixtures
Clean-up and basic waste disposal
Other overheads, such as parking and travelling
Most plumbers will have a range of basic materials with them to carry out common repairs. If they need any special parts, then you may need to wait for them to source them, which will add time to the job.
Hidden or additional costs to watch out for
Remember you may also need to budget for things such as the following:
Replacement parts and plumbing materials
Prep time
Disposal of waste parts
Multiple tradespeople (for big or complex jobs)
Parking and travel fees
Cost of hiring a plumber vs DIY
Some plumbing jobs can be tackled yourself, such as plunging a blocked sink or toilet. However, most emergency plumbing jobs should be handled by a contact through Checkatrade with reviews from real people. This is non-negotiable when dealing with a gas boiler. Only those on the Gas Safe register are permitted to work with gas appliances.
Your plumber call out checklist
When you're calling out a plumber, make sure you're prepared and making the best choice for your home.
Plumber call out checklist
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Call out plumber: Cost FAQs
Not always. Many only charge their hourly rate unless it’s an emergency or out-of-hours work.
Anything that poses a risk to health, safety, or serious damage to your property, such as a burst pipe or major boiler fault.
Some plumbers may offer flexibility depending on availability or time of day, but in most cases, there’s a set rate.
No. Materials and parts are charged on top of call-out charges and/or labour costs.
Whether you’re faced with a plumbing emergency or simply need some routine plumbing maintenance, you can find checked emergency plumbing services with Checkatrade. Read real reviews to find tradespeople committed to quality. We can help you hire with confidence for a job done right.
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