Plumbing is an integral part of your home. Your kitchen, bathroom, boiler – all these places need a functioning plumbing system to keep your life running smoothly. And yet, you probably never think about it… until something goes wrong.
The trouble is that when things do go wrong, you’re often left having to deal with a big mess and frantically trying to get a hold of a plumber. Not to mention that this little treat can cost you an arm and a leg if you postpone.
So, if you do end up in need of such services, it helps to know what plumbing prices to expect. And we’re here to help! In this post, we’ll go over the current plumber rates in Australia and give you some helpful tips on choosing the right specialist for the job.
So, if you are planning on doing some renovation work at home, you will be re-plumbing your house, or plumbing a newly built one, or you want to know what costs to expect during your renovation, then you’ve come to the right place!
Before we get into it, we need to answer the question, “What do plumbers do?”. A plumber can perform a wide variety of tasks. Apart from plumbing your entire house, they can also take care of the following:
Now you know what sort of work a plumber can help you with. But how much does plumbing ultimately cost? Does the technician charge by the job or by the hour?
Well, it’s not easy to give a concrete answer. That’s because plumbing prices can vary wildly, depending on multiple factors. These include:
Even if you get an initial quote, some additional work may come up. This typically comes at an extra charge, so asking your plumber questions before they start is essential. This way, they can inform you about what they need to do and how much it will cost, eliminating unpleasant surprises.
With that said, here are some common plumbing jobs and how much you can expect to pay for them:
| Task | Cost |
|---|---|
| Unclogging a drain | $150 – $180 |
| Unclogging a sewage line | $300 – $500 |
| Unblocking a toilet | $150 – $180 |
| Fixing a leaking faucet, sink, toilet, etc. | $80 – $120 per hour |
| Fixing a leaking pipe | $80 – $120 per hour |
| Installing or replacing bathroom fixtures (toilet, bath, shower, sink) | $160 – $260 |
| Replacing or installing a boiler (electric or gas) | $220 – $300 |
| Installing a showerhead (with hidden pipes) | $160 – $200 |
Now, let’s get into a bit more detail on plumbing prices and what they consist of.
We mentioned before that plumbers would typically charge you a call-out fee. However, you might not know exactly what that means.
A call-out fee for a plumber is a charge that covers their visit to your home. This is a fixed amount and varies depending on where you live and who you hire. The average call-out charge in Australia ranges from $80 to $120.
Keep in mind that this typically comes in addition to the price of the service. While the labour cost covers the work itself, call-out fees cover the time it takes the plumber to come to your home and assess the situation, plus their skill and expertise.
Apart from the call-out fee, the main part of plumbing prices is the labour cost. In Australia, it’s more common for plumbers to charge an hourly rate. Still, it depends on the job at hand and the plumber, as some will charge a fixed rate, either in general or for specific tasks.
So, how much does a plumber cost per hour?
The average hourly rate in Australia ranges from $70 to $100, but it can vary based on your location.
As we mentioned earlier, you can expect a higher plumber cost if you need urgent help or a visit during odd hours. Hourly rates can often double for emergency services, and call-out fees can jump up to $150 – $250, depending on your area.
So, if you can hold out until the 9-5 window, wait and call a plumber during regular hours. But if you need an emergency service, expect to pay more.
Now that we’ve covered the smaller plumbing jobs and their prices let’s talk about large-scale projects.
If you’re undertaking a large home renovation or building a house from scratch, then you’re talking about tonnes of pipes, fixtures, time, and labour. So, it’s only natural that you’ll want to know how much it costs to plumb a new house.
Once again, it’s hard to put an exact number on it. The same factors that determine your one-off job’s price will also affect your full plumbing installation. Plus, you need to take into account the size of your property and the number of fixtures and appliances you want to have installed. As a general guide, plumbing a 150m2 house can cost you between $10,000 and $20,000.
Let’s go over some specific tasks in detail.
When it comes to re-plumbing your home, as opposed to plumbing a new build for the first time, it can cost you anywhere from $6,000 to $12,000.
Now, we mentioned quite a few times that plumbing prices would depend on the expert you hire, among other things. But do you know how to find a plumber you can trust? What are you supposed to look for, anyway?
Worry not – we’ve got a few tips to help you find a plumber that’s right for you.
Just like other types of tradespeople, plumbers need to have a license to be able to do any work in your home. Most jobs require a standard plumbing license. However, if you need anything gas-related, the technician must be licensed and certified specifically for gas work, too.
Apart from being licensed, plumbers are also required to give you a compliance certificate. This document states that any work done on your property has been carried out in line with all standards and regulations.
Sometimes, you need a specific type of tradesman to do the job you need. Regarding plumbing services, you can find two types of specialists: service and contract plumbers.
So, if you just need small repairs or installations, a service plumber is the way to go if you just need small repairs or installations. But for large renovations, call a contract plumber.
During your search, you’ll probably find a few Master Plumbers, too. This refers to a specialist that’s a member of the Master Plumbers Association. They often provide a high-standard and high-quality service and are familiar with the latest industry expertise.
This usually means you can expect to pay more for a Master Plumber’s services. However, when it comes to licences and qualifications, they have the same ones as other industry professionals.
If you’re not sure where to start and what to look for when choosing the right plumber, take a look at this list of essential questions to ask:
Naturally, you’ll want to get a few quotes and compare prices. And you definitely should! Experts recommend that you get at least three quotes before settling on a plumber. However, keep in mind that the cheapest option is not always the best.
First, you need to understand what’s included in the quote. Some plumbers will give you a cost estimate that includes the call-out fee and any materials needed. Others will only quote you for the labour cost. So, make sure you clear that up before you shake hands with the service provider.
Second, you’ll benefit from a home inspection for larger projects. If you need more than just to install a new showerhead, an inspection prior to the service is important. This way, you can get the most accurate time and price estimate.
Sometimes, the plumber will need to do more work than expected, even for smaller jobs. That’s why an inspection can always be helpful. If the expert can assess the issue, they can let you know if any extra work is needed and give you an estimate before they get started.
Need the help of an expert plumber? Find a specialist today to take care of your property!
We hope you found this plumbing price guide helpful. If you have any questions, please let us know in the comments!
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