How much do plumbers charge per hour?

Author: Heloise Brown II  |  Last update: Sunday, January 11, 2026

Average plumber rates are $500 to $800 for large repairs, and $125 to $350 for small jobs like repairing toilets, sinks, faucets, or bathtubs. Most plumbers charge $45 to $150 per hour and have a minimum service call-out fee or flat rate of $50 to $200.

What do most plumbers charge an hour?

The average plumbing contractor hourly rate will greatly depend on the level of expertise you're hiring.
  • Master plumber: $90 to $200 per hour.
  • Journeyman plumber: $70 to $120 per hour.
  • Apprentice plumber: $45 to $90 per hour.

How much do local plumbers charge per hour?

Their average cost in a per hour basis ranges from $35 to $160. These amounts cover services like repairs on faucets, bathtubs, sinks and basic pipelines.

How do you calculate labor cost for plumbing?

Here's a basic formula that plumbers and customers can use to estimate plumbing costs:
  1. Determine the Hourly Rate of the Plumber. ...
  2. Estimate the Number of Hours Required for the Job. ...
  3. Add the Cost of Materials. ...
  4. Add any Additional Fees. ...
  5. Multiply the Hours by the Hourly Rate. ...
  6. Total Cost of Labor.

How should a plumber charge?

What should a plumber charge? Service rate per hour as given by industry is R450 to R850/hour or part thereof. The vast majority of plumbers charge a standard call out fee of R450 to R650. * these rates exclude VAT and can be subject to volume discounts.

Determining Your Plumbing Prices

Why is a plumber so expensive?

Plumbing requires precise, technical knowledge. We could cut expenses (and therefore costs to you) by hiring less-knowledgeable team members, but that's simply not our model. Rather, we hire only the most skilled technicians—plumbers who will treat your home like their own and do their absolute best work, every time.

How much does it cost to install a tap?

The average cost of tap replacement is around £80-£200 (labour only) and the overall cost will depend on the type and location of the tap, as well as the complexity of the job. Here are some average costs to replace taps, including materials and labour: Cost to replace basin taps – £140-£220.

How do plumbers bill?

Charging by the hour is the standard in the plumbing industry. However, some plumbers will charge flat rates for simple tasks that they do routinely, such as unclogging a drain, fixing a running toilet, or solving some other common household plumbing problem.

How do you estimate labor cost?

To calculate the labor burden, add each employee's wages, payroll taxes, and benefits to an employer's annual overhead costs (building costs, property taxes, utilities, equipment, insurance, and benefits). Then divide that total by the employer's number of employees.

How much does it cost to run plumbing per foot?

It can last for 50 years on average, but with proper maintenance, it can last up to 80 years. The cost of using copper pipes for rough-in plumbing in your bathroom is about $4 to $12 per linear foot, including labor.

How much does a plumber charge to install a toilet?

Replacing a toilet costs between $275 and $480 in most cases, and the average cost sits around $375. This includes removing the old toilet and installing the new toilet.

How much do plumbers charge to snake a drain?

Across the nation, if you were going to hire a professional plumber, the average amount you can expect to spend is approximately $250. However, if your clog is minor, plumbers may charge as little as $100. Of course, if your clog is substantially more complex, this could increase your costs to upwards of $400.

Do plumbers charge more after hours?

Emergency plumbers cost between $60 and $600 per hour, or an average of $170 per hour. The timing of the emergency impacts the rate. For instance, evening rates are usually 1.5 times as much as the standard plumbing rate, while plumbers may charge 3 times as much during a holiday.

How much does a handyman charge per hour?

Most handymen charge between $50 and $80 per hour, making an average of $150 to $600 per job. Rates depend on their specialty, experience, level of education, and whether the handyman is insured, requires specialized equipment, or services rural locations.

How do plumbers make so much?

Master plumbers have reached the level where they can supervise other plumbers and own a plumbing business. As with many other careers, plumbers earn higher wages as they add experience and knowledge.

What is the overtime rate for a plumber?

The overtime rate for plumbers who are non-exempt is one and one-half their regular rate of pay. Some states may have their own overtime pay laws that may be slightly different from the FLSA with respect to overtime pay for plumbers.

What is a reasonable labor cost?

An acceptable average cost percentage is 25-35% of gross sales. This varies depending on the business, industry, and location. For example, a retail store in a small town may have labor percentages less than 25%, while the manufacturing sector may have labor percentages higher than 35%.

What is the cost per hour?

Cost-per-hour is determined by taking fully-loaded-cost in a time period and dividing it by the total number of hours available in that same time period. For example, $100k annual cost / 2080 annual hours = $48 cost per hour.

What is a normal labor cost?

Having a baby is expensive across the United States; the Peterson-Kaiser Family Foundation Health System Tracker finds the national average cost of giving birth is $18,865, with an average of $2,854 paid out of pocket after insurance (including both vaginal and cesarean deliveries).

How to price a plumbing job?

Typically, your plumbing estimate will be based on:
  1. The amount of time it takes you to complete the job.
  2. Your minimum hourly rate — even if you charge a flat fee per job.
  3. Supplies, equipment, material quality and brands used for the job.
  4. Pricing trends in the plumbing industry.

Can you negotiate with plumbers?

Just like plumbing, haggling has been around for thousands of years and it's probably not going anywhere any time soon. If your plumber takes offense to you asking for a discount, or whether or not there are any specials/coupons available, then that's a sign you should run for the hills!

Should I pay for a plumbing estimate?

Requesting estimates lets you know what the overall project will entail and what to expect. According to Forbes, your local plumbers may cost between $45 and $200 an hour depending on the job type. Receiving a quote from your plumber before the project will help you budget for it.

What is the average price for a plumber to install a faucet?

For a basic kitchen sink faucet installation by a pro plumber or a qualified handyperson, you can expect the installation cost to be anywhere from $119 for faucet installation through Home Depot, $92 for faucet installation through Lowe's to $400+ on a complex project.

How much is labor to replace a kitchen sink?

Average Sink Installation Costs

According to HomeAdvisor, most homeowners spend between $220 and $560 to have a sink added or replaced. Angie's List reports that homeowners spend between $216 and $628 to have a sink installed. On average plumbers charge between $50 and $200 per hour to install a new kitchen sink.

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