By clicking a retailer link you consent to third-party cookies that track your onward journey. If you make a purchase, Which? will receive an affiliate commission, which supports our mission to be the UK's consumer champion.

02 May 2024

How much do plumbers cost?

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

Which? Team

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.

Be inspired to make home improvements. Sign up for our Home newsletter – it's free monthly

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.	£120 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.	£75	1 hour
Install outside tap	Exterior wall behind kitchen sink – if isolation is possible.	£75	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.

We've rated 16 bathroom tap brands for quality and durability to discover the best bathroom taps

Cost of fitting and fixing sinks and toilets

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

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.	£150	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.	£150	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.)	£125	1-2 hours
Fix/unblock toilet**	Includes call-out fee, labour and materials.	£150	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.

We've rated and ranked bathroom fixtures from big-name companies to discover the best bathroom sinks, toilets, baths and showers

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.	£120	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	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.	£650	0.5-1 day

We surveyed over 1,700 home insurance customers and 37 companies to discover the best home insurance companies and policies in the UK

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.

Use the tool below to find trusted plumbers near you.

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.

¹Costs were checked and updated in 2024.