How much does plumbing repair cost?
A typical plumbing repair costs $180 to $850, averaging about $420. Plumbers charge $45 to $200 per hour plus a $50 to $200 service call fee, or flat rates by task.
National average
$420
Typical low
$180
Typical high
$850
Per hour
$45 – $200
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Estimated project cost
$90 – $180
Most homeowners pay around $135
Compare plumber tier
Cost by material
Installed pricing per hour.
| Option | Installed cost |
|---|---|
| Apprentice / handyman | $45 – $90 |
| Journeyman plumber | $75 – $140 |
| Master plumber | $100 – $200 |
Cost by common repair
| Job | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| Clear a clogged drain | $150 – $450 |
| Fix a leaking faucet | $120 – $350 |
| Replace a toilet | $250 – $800 |
| Repair a burst pipe | $400 – $1,500 |
| Replace a garbage disposal | $250 – $600 |
| Hydro-jet main line | $400 – $1,200 |
| Replace a sewer line section | $1,500 – $6,000 |
| Whole-home repipe | $4,000 – $18,000 |
Rate structures explained
| Structure | How it works | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Service call fee | $50 – $200 just to show up | Diagnosis visits |
| Hourly | $45 – $200 per hour after the first hour | Unknown-scope repairs |
| Flat rate by task | Fixed price from a rate book | Known, standard jobs |
| Emergency | 1.5x to 2x normal rate | Burst pipes, sewage backups |
Where the money goes
A typical project budget, broken down by line item.
- Labor62% · $260
- Parts and materials22% · $92
- Service call / trip fee11% · $46
- Permits and disposal5% · $21
Cost by region
Labor markets move the number more than any other single factor.
Northeast metro
$220 – $1,037
+22% vs. national average
West Coast metro
$216 – $1,020
+20% vs. national average
Mountain West
$189 – $893
+5% vs. national average
Midwest
$180 – $850
At the national average
South & Southeast
$166 – $782
-8% vs. national average
Rural nationwide
$158 – $748
-12% vs. national average
Common add-ons
Line items that show up on most quotes but rarely in the headline price.
Camera line inspection
Drywall cut and patch
Permit
Water shutoff valve replacement
Water pressure regulator
DIY vs. hiring a pro
Hire a pro
$180 – $850
Do it yourself
$15 – $150
Plunging, snaking a sink trap and swapping a faucet cartridge are safe DIY. Anything involving gas, main lines, soldering inside walls or permits is not — water damage costs far more than the labor you saved.
Ways to save
Practical levers that lower the bill without cutting quality.
- Ask for the flat-rate book price before agreeing to hourly.
- Batch several small repairs into one visit so you pay one trip fee.
- Avoid after-hours calls unless water is actively running.
- Buy your own fixture and pay for installation labor only.
- Ask whether the diagnostic fee is credited toward the repair.
Questions to ask your contractor
- 01Is this hourly or flat rate, and is the service fee credited to the job?
- 02What exactly caused the failure, not just what broke?
- 03Are parts and disposal included in the quote?
- 04Do you carry the part on the truck, or is there a return trip?
- 05Is a permit required, and are you pulling it?
- 06What is the warranty on parts and on your labor?
Frequently asked questions
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Get plumbing quotesPlumbing Repair cost by city
Local labor rates, permits and climate change the number. Pick your city for prices near you.
Plumbing Repair cost in Los Angeles, CA
$223 – $1,054
Plumbing Repair cost in San Diego, CA
$212 – $1,003
Plumbing Repair cost in San Jose, CA
$248 – $1,173
Plumbing Repair cost in San Francisco, CA
$261 – $1,233
Plumbing Repair cost in Oakland, CA
$238 – $1,122
Plumbing Repair cost in Sacramento, CA
$194 – $918
Plumbing Repair cost in Fresno, CA
$176 – $833
Plumbing Repair cost in Long Beach, CA
$220 – $1,037
Plumbing Repair cost in Anaheim, CA
$216 – $1,020
Plumbing Repair cost in Santa Ana, CA
$214 – $1,012
Plumbing Repair cost in Irvine, CA
$227 – $1,071
Plumbing Repair cost in Riverside, CA
$191 – $901
Plumbing Repair cost in San Bernardino, CA
$185 – $876
Plumbing Repair cost in Bakersfield, CA
$175 – $825
Plumbing Repair cost in Stockton, CA
$184 – $867
Plumbing Repair cost in Modesto, CA
$180 – $850
Plumbing Repair cost in Chula Vista, CA
$207 – $977
Plumbing Repair cost in Fremont, CA
$243 – $1,148
Plumbing Repair cost in Pasadena, CA
$230 – $1,088
Plumbing Repair cost in Glendale, CA
$225 – $1,063
Plumbing Repair cost in Santa Clarita, CA
$209 – $986
Plumbing Repair cost in Torrance, CA
$221 – $1,046
Plumbing Repair cost in Oxnard, CA
$205 – $969
Plumbing Repair cost in San Mateo, CA
$252 – $1,190