Price Guide

How Much Does a Plumber Really Cost?

Compare prices for 14 services across 342 UK locations. Data-driven pricing updated for .

14 services priced 342 cities covered Updated

National pricing

Plumber Prices

National average prices. Select a city below for local pricing.

All prices include materials and labour unless stated otherwise. Prices verified 2026

Fix a Leaking Tap

Low

£50

Average

£130

High

£200

30-60 minutes

More details

Fixing a dripping or leaking tap by replacing the worn-out internal parts. Covers bathroom, bath, or kitchen taps. Usually a quick job done in a single visit.

~86% labour, ~14% materials

What affects the price

  • Type of tap (mixer, monobloc, traditional)
  • Whether replacement parts are readily available
  • Accessibility of the tap and isolation valves
  • Whether the tap body itself needs replacing

Unblock a Drain or Toilet

Low

£75

Average

£150

High

£250

30-90 minutes

More details

Clearing a blocked sink, toilet, bath or external drain using rods, a plunger or a drain snake. Does not include CCTV surveys or excavation.

~93% labour, ~7% materials

What affects the price

  • Severity and location of the blockage
  • Whether specialist equipment (jetting) is needed
  • Internal vs external drain
  • Ease of access to the pipework or manhole

Install a Bathroom Suite

Low

£750

Average

£1,250

High

£2,000

2-3 days

More details

Fitting a new bathroom suite including toilet, basin and bath or shower tray. Plumbing connections only — does not include tiling or plastering.

~40% labour, ~60% materials

What affects the price

  • Number of items in the suite
  • Whether existing pipework needs modifying
  • Accessibility of the bathroom
  • Whether old suite removal and disposal is included

Replace a Toilet

Low

£100

Average

£200

High

£350

1-2 hours

More details

Removing an old toilet and fitting a new one. Includes connecting to the existing waste pipe and water supply. Most standard toilets can be swapped in 1-2 hours without any major pipework changes.

What affects the price

  • Type of toilet (close-coupled, wall-hung, back-to-wall)
  • Whether the waste pipe position needs changing
  • Condition of the existing floor and connections
  • Whether a concealed cistern is required

Install a Shower

Low

£300

Average

£800

High

£1,500

4-8 hours

More details

Installing a new electric, mixer or thermostatic shower including tray, screen, valve and plumbing connections. Price varies significantly by shower type.

~56% labour, ~44% materials

What affects the price

  • Type of shower (electric, mixer, power shower)
  • Whether a new tray and enclosure are needed
  • Existing water pressure and supply
  • Whether tiling or waterproofing is required

Fix or Replace a Radiator Valve

Low

£50

Average

£120

High

£200

30-60 minutes

More details

Replacing a faulty or leaking radiator valve, or upgrading to thermostatic valves that let you control the temperature in each room individually. Price is per valve.

~75% labour, ~25% materials

What affects the price

  • Type of valve (manual, TRV, smart TRV)
  • Whether the system needs draining
  • Accessibility of the radiator and pipework
  • Whether pipework modifications are needed

Repair a Burst Pipe

Low

£100

Average

£250

High

£500

1-3 hours

More details

Emergency repair of a burst or leaking water pipe. Includes isolating the supply, cutting out the damaged section and fitting a new pipe or coupling.

~82% labour, ~18% materials

What affects the price

  • Location of the burst (exposed vs under floor/in wall)
  • Pipe material (copper, plastic, lead)
  • Whether it is an emergency call-out
  • Extent of water damage requiring additional work

Install a Dishwasher or Washing Machine

Low

£40

Average

£100

High

£200

30-60 minutes

More details

Connecting a new dishwasher or washing machine to the existing water supply and waste pipe. Assumes connections are already in place.

~77% labour, ~23% materials

What affects the price

  • Whether existing plumbing connections are in place
  • Distance from water supply and waste pipe
  • Whether new valves or waste fittings are needed
  • Integrated vs freestanding appliance

Replace Taps (Basin or Bath)

Low

£80

Average

£150

High

£300

1-2 hours

More details

Removing old taps and fitting new ones on a basin or bath. Includes connecting to the hot and cold supply and checking for leaks.

~23% labour, ~77% materials

What affects the price

  • Type of taps (pillar, mixer, monobloc)
  • Accessibility beneath the basin or bath
  • Whether isolation valves need fitting
  • Condition of existing pipework and fittings

Fix a Dripping Overflow

Low

£50

Average

£120

High

£200

30-60 minutes

More details

Fixing a dripping overflow pipe — the small pipe that sticks out of your wall and drips water. This is usually caused by a faulty valve inside the toilet or the cold water tank in the loft that is not shutting off the water properly.

~85% labour, ~15% materials

What affects the price

  • Whether the issue is in the toilet cistern or loft tank
  • Ease of access (especially loft tanks)
  • Whether a new ball valve or float valve is needed
  • Whether the overflow pipe itself needs replacing

Install an Outside Tap

Low

£80

Average

£150

High

£250

1-2 hours

More details

Fitting a new garden tap on the outside wall by connecting it to your indoor cold water supply and drilling through the wall. Includes a safety valve to stop garden water flowing back into your drinking water. Takes 1-2 hours.

~73% labour, ~27% materials

What affects the price

  • Distance from the nearest water supply pipe
  • Wall thickness and material (brick, stone, render)
  • Whether a non-return valve is required by regulation
  • Whether pipework needs to be run externally

Repair or Replace a Ball Valve

Low

£50

Average

£100

High

£180

30-60 minutes

More details

Replacing the valve that controls the water level in your toilet cistern or the water tank in your loft. When this valve wears out, the tank overflows or the water does not fill up properly.

~77% labour, ~23% materials

What affects the price

  • Location of the valve (cistern vs loft tank)
  • Type of valve (brass, plastic, part 1, part 2)
  • Whether the water supply can be easily isolated
  • Ease of access in a loft or airing cupboard

Full Bathroom Refit

Low

£3,000

Average

£6,000

High

£12,000

1-2 weeks

More details

Complete bathroom renovation including stripping out the old room, fitting new suite, tiling, flooring, plastering and all plumbing and electrical work.

~50% labour, ~50% materials

What affects the price

  • Size and layout of the bathroom
  • Quality of fixtures and fittings chosen
  • Whether the layout is changing (moving waste pipes etc.)
  • Amount of tiling, plastering and electrical work needed

Install Underfloor Heating (Per Room)

Low

£1,000

Average

£2,500

High

£4,500

1-3 days

More details

Installing underfloor heating in a single room. You can choose electric mats (simpler to install) or a water-based system connected to your boiler (cheaper to run). Includes insulation boards underneath and all connections. Based on an average room of 15-20 square metres.

~52% labour, ~48% materials

What affects the price

  • Type of system (electric mat vs wet/water-based)
  • Room size and floor construction
  • Whether the floor needs raising or excavating
  • Insulation and screed requirements

Popular locations

Plumber Costs by City

London

£60–£250

Birmingham

£45–£185

Leeds

£50–£195

Glasgow

£50–£210

Sheffield

£50–£195

Manchester

£50–£195

Bradford

£45–£175

Edinburgh

£55–£230

Liverpool

£50–£200

Bristol

£55–£215

Coventry

£50–£190

Leicester

£45–£170

Local pricing

Find Plumber Costs in Your City

Browse all 342 cities for local plumber pricing.

Barking and Dagenham Barnet Bexley London
Brighton Milton Keynes Reading Southampton
Bournemouth Bristol Gloucester Plymouth
Colchester Luton Norwich Peterborough
Birmingham Coventry Stoke-on-Trent Wolverhampton
Derby Leicester Northampton Nottingham
Bradford Leeds Sheffield York
Bolton Liverpool Manchester Warrington
County Durham Middlesbrough Newcastle upon Tyne Sunderland
Blaenau Gwent Bridgend Cardiff Swansea
Aberdeen Dundee Edinburgh Glasgow
Belfast

Regional comparison

Fix a Leaking Tap by City

Average cost of fix a leaking tap across key UK cities.

London
+24% £160
Manchester
-2% £125
Birmingham
-7% £120
Glasgow
+5% £135
Bristol
+7% £140
Leeds
-3% £125
Cardiff
-2% £130
Belfast
-13% £115

Overview

What Does a Plumber Do?

A plumber provides professional services covering general plumbing repairs, bathroom installations, pipework and appliance fitting. They handle everything from routine maintenance and inspections to full installations and emergency repairs. Whether you need a small repair or a major project, hiring a qualified plumber ensures the work is done safely, to code, and to a professional standard.

You should hire a plumber whenever you need work that requires specialist skills, tools, or qualifications. Many types of plumber work are regulated and must be carried out by a certified professional. Attempting DIY on regulated work can be dangerous, void your insurance, and create costly problems down the line.

Pricing for plumber services depends on the complexity of what you need, the options chosen, and where you live in the UK. Simpler services sit at the lower end of the scale, while more involved or premium options will be significantly more expensive. The prices on this page give you a realistic range for each type of service so you know what to expect before getting quotes.

When hiring a plumber, always get at least three quotes from different tradespeople. Read recent reviews and ask for references. Always check qualifications, insurance and recent reviews. A reputable plumber will be happy to provide a detailed breakdown of costs and explain exactly what is included in their quote.

Related services

Related Services

Services often needed alongside a plumber.

Boiler & Gas Engineering UK price guide £2,000–£4,500 Electrician UK price guide £4,000–£8,000 Bathroom Fitting UK price guide £4,500–£12,000 Kitchen Fitting UK price guide £3,000–£8,000 Drain Services UK price guide £60–£250 Heat Pump Installation UK price guide £8,000–£15,000 Tiling UK price guide £400–£1,200 Damp Proofing UK price guide £250–£1,000

Common questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about plumber costs in the UK.

Do I need a Gas Safe registered engineer for plumbing work?
Standard plumbing work like fixing taps, unblocking drains or fitting a bathroom does not require Gas Safe registration. However, any work involving gas appliances, gas pipework, or boilers must be carried out by a Gas Safe registered engineer. If in doubt, always ask before the work starts.
What is the difference between a plumber and a heating engineer?
A plumber handles water supply and drainage — taps, toilets, baths, showers, waste pipes and water tanks. A heating engineer specialises in central heating systems, boilers, radiators and gas work. Many tradespeople are qualified as both, but for boiler or gas work specifically, you need someone who is Gas Safe registered.
Why does my boiler keep losing pressure?
The most common causes are a small leak somewhere in the heating system (often at radiator valves or pipe joints), a faulty pressure relief valve, or a problem with the expansion vessel. If you are topping up the pressure more than once a month, call a heating engineer to find and fix the root cause rather than just re-pressurising.
Should I get a power flush before installing a new boiler?
A power flush cleans out sludge, rust and debris from your radiators and pipework. Most boiler manufacturers recommend or require it before installing a new boiler to protect the warranty. If your radiators have cold spots at the bottom, the system almost certainly needs flushing. Expect to pay around 300-500 for a typical 3-bed house.
How much does a plumber charge per hour in the UK?
Most plumbers charge between £40 and £80 per hour depending on your area, with London rates reaching £80-£100. Many charge a minimum call-out fee of 1 hour regardless of how quick the job is. For larger jobs, always ask for a fixed price rather than an hourly rate to avoid surprises.
What should I do if I have a plumbing emergency?
First, turn off the water at the stopcock (usually under the kitchen sink). If water is near electrics, switch off the power at the consumer unit. Contain any flooding with towels and buckets. Then call an emergency plumber — most offer 1-2 hour response times. Knowing where your stopcock is before an emergency saves precious minutes.
Do plumbers fix boilers?
General plumbers handle water supply and drainage work. Boiler repairs, servicing, and installation must be done by a Gas Safe registered heating engineer. Some plumbers hold both qualifications, but always check. If a plumber offers to work on your boiler without showing you a valid Gas Safe card, do not let them proceed — it is illegal and dangerous.
How do I find my stopcock?
The internal stopcock is most commonly under the kitchen sink, but can also be in a downstairs cupboard, under the stairs, or in a utility room. It is a brass or chrome tap that turns clockwise to shut off the water to your home. If you cannot find it, check the pavement outside your property for the external stopcock under a small metal cover.
Can a plumber install a bathroom or is that a different trade?
A plumber can install all the plumbing elements of a bathroom — toilet, basin, bath, shower, and taps. However, a full bathroom refit also involves tiling, plastering, electrics, and flooring, which may require separate tradespeople. Some plumbers offer a complete bathroom fitting service with subcontractors, while others handle only the plumbing side.
How much does a plumber cost in the UK?
The most common plumber job, fix a leaking tap, costs between £50 and £200 nationally, with an average of £130. Prices vary depending on the scope of work, materials used, and your location within the UK.
What affects plumber prices?
The main factors are the complexity and scope of what you need, the options and products chosen, and your location. London and the South East are typically 15-35% more expensive than northern regions. Getting multiple quotes is the best way to ensure a fair price.
How do I find a reliable plumber?
Get at least three quotes from different tradespeople, check recent reviews and references, and ask for a detailed written quote that breaks down all costs before committing. Always check qualifications, insurance and recent reviews.
Do plumber prices vary by location?
Yes, significantly. London is the most expensive area, with prices typically 20-35% above the national average. The South East is also above average. Northern England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland tend to be 5-15% below the national average. Our city pages show exact local pricing for 342 UK locations.
Do the prices shown include materials?
The prices on this page include all typical costs. However, when getting real quotes, always confirm what is and isn't included. Some tradespeople break out costs separately, while others give an all-in price. Ask for a detailed breakdown before agreeing to any work.
When is the best time to hire a plumber?
Demand for plumber services tends to peak in autumn and winter, which can mean longer wait times and higher prices. If your job isn't urgent, booking during spring or summer may get you a better rate and faster availability. Emergency work will always cost more regardless of the time of year.