Plumber rates vary by location and by job. Depending on what you need a plumber for, they may charge an hourly rate or a day rate. If it’s an emergency, they may charge a call-out fee too. 

At HaMuch, our database of hourly and daily rates of plumbers across the country helps you estimate how much you’ll pay for a job. Read our guide for the latest average plumber rates across the UK.

Plumber hourly rates

Plumbers will usually charge an hourly rate if you need them for a job like an emergency leak or small pipework job. The average hourly rate for a plumber in the UK is £41, not including materials. If it’s an emergency, they may charge a call-out fee on top of their hourly rate, which is an average of £75.

Rates can vary from £26 to £63 per hour depending on where you live, with the south of the UK generally having the highest rates. For example, in London the average plumber's hourly rate is £55.

Plumber day rates

If you need a plumber for a larger job like replumbing a house or fitting new radiators throughout your home, then they’re likely to charge you a day rate. The average daily rate is £250, but varies between £202 and £350 depending on where you live. 

Take a look at our UK plumber rates table to get a more accurate idea of hourly and daily rates in your area. HaMuch has members across the country who display their rates so you can see how much they charge before you make contact with them.

Rates for common plumbing jobs

Replace a kitchen mixer tap

Average rate: £42 per hour

Average time: 1 hour

Average material cost: £60

A plumber will usually charge an average of £42 per hour for replacing a kitchen mixer tap. If it’s a straightforward job, it shouldn’t take more than an hour, so with materials you can expect to pay around £102. There are lots of different types of mixer taps on the market, so you could pay as little as £30 or as much as £200 for a premium kitchen mixer tap. Your plumber may be able to source one for you, but it’s usually more cost-effective to buy your own.

Replace a toilet fill valve

Average rate: £44 per hour

Average time: 1 hour

Average material cost: £15

Replacing a toilet fill valve, or float valve, is usually a straightforward job that can be done in less than an hour. However, most plumbers will charge a minimum of an hour to complete the job at an average rate of £44 per hour, depending on the type of toilet you have. Close-coupled toilets are usually the cheapest to replace the fill valve on, while wall-hung toilets are the most expensive. Most plumbers will source a float valve for you, and they can cost between £7-£22, making the total job an average cost of £59.

Fit an outside garden tap

Average rate: £35 per hour

Average time: 1 hour

Average material cost: £30

Having an outside tap gives you a convenient way to water your plants, pressure wash your patio or even fill up a paddling pool in the summertime. Most plumbers will recommend fixing a wall-mounted tap to your outside wall and tapping into the water supply from the other side. The average plumber’s rate for this type of job is £35 per hour, and it could take up to 2 hours to complete. The average cost of a tap and all materials is £30, making the average cost of fitting an outside tap £100.

Emergency plumber call-out rates

If you have an emergency, such as a burst water main or blocked toilet, plumbers will usually charge a call-out fee on top of their usual hourly rate and any charge for supplies. 

The average plumber’s call-out rate is £75. However, if you need them to attend your property outside of normal working hours, this rate could rise to £150 or more. 

You could try to save money on call-out fees by turning off your water supply or applying a temporary fix to the problem so you’re able to wait for a plumber to come out during their normal working hours on a routine call. 

Your checklist for finding and comparing plumber rates

1. Check self-employed plumber rates

Plumbers who work for themselves are just as qualified and experienced as those working for a large plumbing company. They may have even started working for a larger plumbing company to gain experience before starting their own business.

Independent plumbers often charge you lower rates as they have fewer business costs. You’ll get the same quality of work as you would from a larger plumbing business at a fraction of the price.

2. Look for reviews

Whether your plumber is part of a limited company or is a sole trader, they should have some kind of online presence. Look for reviews across various platforms to see if other clients have had a positive experience with them.

If you are using your plumber for a big project like a new bathroom, ask to see before and after photos of a comparable project.

3. Check experience, qualifications and insurance

Check what qualifications the plumber has. Common qualifications include Level 2 NVQs in plumbing and heating and apprenticeships.

Experience is also important for more complex jobs - many issues require a lot of problem-solving and it can help if your plumber has come across your issue before. 

As plumbing so often involves water at high pressure, choose a plumber who is insured for any damage they cause to your home and injury to yourself and others.

4. Ask what’s included in the quote

Plumbers may include their labour rates in a quote and exclude material costs, particularly for things like taps and sinks as many homeowners like to buy them themselves. 

If you do need to source your own parts, get advice from the plumber as they may be able to recommend a store you can buy them from at trade prices.

Also, ask for the plumber’s opinion on the best brands that will stand the test of time. Many plumbers have their own preferred prestigious bathroom brands, for example, Bristan, Grohe or Mira.

5. Confirm payment terms

It’s not unusual for plumbers to ask for a deposit for big jobs, but most small jobs will require full payment on completion.

Ask if your plumber is VAT registered and if they are, check if the quote includes VAT. Don’t be afraid to insist on a written quote to avoid any miscommunication errors during or after the project. 

If you want to pay by card or cheque, ensure you ask the plumber whether they accept these forms of payment. Most plumbers should accept a bank transfer over cash so there is a record of the payment, so be wary of anyone who will only accept cash.

6. Get a range of quotes

When choosing a plumber try to get at least 3 comparison quotes so you have a feel for the value of service and what is being offered for the price. 

While it can be tempting to choose the plumber with the lowest rate, it’s not always the wisest decision. If you get a range of quotes and one is significantly cheaper than the rest, that should ring alarm bells. Plumbers have vast knowledge and extensive skills that take a long time to learn and master, so will charge accordingly. 

Very cheap quotes can often signal that someone doesn’t understand the industry or may not have the training required, so make sure you ask for references and look for reviews when you’re choosing a plumber for your job. 

How to prepare for your plumber’s visit

• Organise parking: If your plumber will require a permit to park near your property, make sure you’ll have this available for them when they arrive. If there’s no parking immediately outside your home, consider organising parking for them in advance. 
• Give detail: Tell the plumber everything they need to know about the issue. For example, tell them how long you’ve noticed the problem, whether you’ve noticed any broken parts and any previous repair history.
• Provide access: If you need to move furniture or cabinet contents to give the plumber access to the issue, do this before they arrive so they can see the problem easily.
• Find your stopcock: Your plumber will probably have to turn the water supply off during their investigation, so make sure you know where your stop tap is and that it’s accessible. 

If you’re ready to find a plumber for your job, get rates and quotes with HaMuch by posting a job now.