How much does a plumber cost?
Every time we’re on-site with a customer, explaining what we need to do to fix their plumbing problem, we know there is one key question on everybody’s mind: ‘How much is this going to cost me?!’
The truth is, plumbing invoices can vary wildly and it can be difficult to know what to expect to pay for a plumber. If you don’t already have an established relationship with a plumber who you know can be trusted to give you an honest price, you can be forgiven for being a little wary! We have all heard our fair share of horror stories about customers being ripped off by dodgy tradies.
At Tai Irwin Plumbing, we pride ourselves on providing honest, fairly-priced plumbing services across the northern beaches. We’ll always give you a detailed quote before starting work so you know exactly what to expect when the invoice rolls in.
So, how much does a plumber cost?
While no two jobs are ever the same, and sometimes jobs that seem simple can end up being complex. For a plumbing company, it’s very hard to provide you with a cost without looking at the job. We can provide you with a guide as to what a plumber should cost you or what you should expect to pay for a qualified, experienced plumber.
Call out fees
Plumbers usually charge a call-out fee, which you pay to have them visit your property and assess your needs. They will charge a call-out fee cost, and will usually charge by the hour for the work completed. You should expect a call-out fee on most jobs – no call-out fee could sound appealing but will likely be made up for in the cost of work.
Keep in mind that often when you need to call a plumber, it’s an emergency situation. After-hour call-out fees are almost always higher than if you were to make an appointment during regular business hours.
Hourly rates
The general cost for a plumber is usually charged by the quarter hour, with rates individual to each company. This price may be slightly higher if it’s a small plumbing job, and lower if it’s a bigger job. As a rule of thumb for all labour jobs, the more difficult the job is, the longer it will take and the more you will need to pay.
Basic estimates for services
Some of the most common work we carry out is quick repair jobs and don’t take much longer than a couple of hours. No matter the size of the job, you should request a fully itemised quote including the brand of parts used and the cost of any materials.
Additional plumbing costs that can increase your invoice
While we always do our best to provide an accurate quote, there are sometimes unexpected reasons that your final invoice will be higher than expected. On top of the basic call-out and hourly charge, you might also need to pay for extra supplies that we need to complete the job, such as specific parts or fixtures.
Other situations where your costs increase could be if we need to use scaffolding, earth moving or special equipment. If your home has suffered water damage from a burst pipe, you might need to call water damage experts to help restore your home. Or, if you have had a sewer problem, for instance, there will be extra costs involved in the cleanup and getting your home back into safe, liveable condition for your family.
We know that the costs associated with fixing a sudden plumbing emergency can be scary. This is why we always make a point of thoroughly investigating your problems and providing a detailed quote before we begin work. We also make sure to keep you in the loop the whole way through a job – if we see any reason why your charges will increase, we’ll be sure to let you know. If you’re wondering how much a plumbing job will cost you, or want to discuss an upcoming renovation project, get in touch with our friendly team of local plumbers.
