How much will your plumbing drain repair cost?

Ashburn, VA 20149

Plumbers on Thumbtack cost$50 - $80

Average fixed price

  • Lowest price:$20
  • Most common low price:$50
  • Most common high price:$80
  • Highest price:$130

How much does a plumber cost?

Plumbers charge an average of $135-$300 (nationwide) for various plumbing services such as drain, pipe, sink, faucet, toilet and water heater repairs.  For a plumbing inspection, the national average cost is $164-$250. On an hourly basis, plumbers charge an average of $56-$129 an hour, depending on the project.

Below are the national average costs for different plumbing services:

Plumber cost:

Service Average fixed cost High-end fixed cost Average hourly cost
Drain repair $150-$225 $409-$550 $89-$129
Pipe repair $150-$226 $499-$650 $89-$117
Plumbing inspection $164-$250 $334-$427 $56-$65
Sink or faucet repair $135-$179 $350-$425 $70-$100
Toilet repair $148-$181 $316-$399 $75-$112
Water heater repair or maintenance $150-$300 $1,500-$1,885 $90-106

More labor-intensive plumbing projects like installing new pipes, toilets and showers can cost even more.

As the work varies widely, plumbers most often charge a flat rate for services based on an estimate once they see the work to be done. Some companies may add a surcharge for travel outside of their normal service area.

Plumbers are skilled professionals who repair, install and replace pipes and fixtures. All of the pipes and fixtures that make up the water, gas and sewage systems in a home, office or other building are referred to as "plumbing". Common calls for a plumbing contractor include burst pipes, leaky pipes, noisy pipes, clogged pipes, strange smells, poor water pressure, lack of hot water, non-operational appliances, and fixtures that aren’t draining or flushing.

Having a plumber come repair a toilet, a leaky faucet, or install new plumbing fixtures can not only save you the trouble of trying to do it yourself, but also ensure the job is done right the first time. These are unpleasant jobs for most homeowners, so let's go over some of what you'll need to know to get a pro to take care of things.

Compare prices from plumbers near you.

Common plumbing problems.

Troublesome parts of the plumbing system can include pipes and drains, toilets, sinks and faucets, dishwashers, garbage disposals, water heaters, showers or tubs, water treatment systems, septic systems, outdoor plumbing, wells, sump pumps—and sometimes an entire building. Many factors affect the average cost of plumbing services, including the type of plumbing problem, the location of the job (is it a broken sewer pipe? or is it a standard plumbing problem such as a clogged drain or a toilet that needs a new wax ring?), and whether or not the plumbing job is an emergency situation like a burst pipe.

Plumber cost per hour:

Service Average hourly cost
Drain repair $89-$129
Pipe repair $89-$117
Plumbing inspection $56-$65
Sink or faucet repair $70-$100
Toilet repair $75-$112
Water heater repair or maintenance $90-106

It's important to note that professional plumbers typically do not charge hourly rates because there are too many variables involved in plumbing work. Most provide a flat rate estimate once they see all the work to be done. This cost estimate should include the work to be done, anticipated parts, and any other fees.

How much does it cost to unclog a drain?

Depending on the project, the average cost to unclog (or repair) a drain is $150-$225. However, some jobs may cost as little as $70-$80, and larger jobs cost $409-$550.

How much does a plumber cost to fix a pipe?

On average, pipe repairs cost $150-$226. But on the high end, plumber charge an average $499-$650 to fix a pipe.

Flat rate plumbing pricing.

Some plumbers charge fixed-rate fees for a few standard projects that are easy to accurately predetermine the cost of their time on. For example, Celtic Plumbing & Heating in New York City typically charges $150 for a toilet installation. Costs increase when the plumber provides the toilet bowl.

pipe-repair-plumbingEmergency plumbing repairs.

Plumbing nightmares don’t always happen between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Customers will pay a premium for plumbing repair service calls after hours, on holidays and over the weekend.

Typically, midnight jobs and holiday calls for Celtic Plumbing & Heating start at $500 and can go higher if there are extensive plumbing repairs or sewer line repairs.

How to save money on plumbing services.

Sometimes a customer can save by having materials on hand before the plumber arrives. It’s a good idea to clear any purchases with the plumbing contractor beforehand to make sure you have the proper materials. For example, if you want a new toilet or new sink installed, or sump pump installation, you can save time and money by purchasing those items ahead of time.

How to hire a plumber.

  • Always include photos of what you need fixed or repaired to get a more accurate quote.
  • Give them as much information as possible when you first call. Tell them what the trouble is, let them know if it's been a problem before, tell them if you have a septic tank, a tankless water heater, or anything else that may not be standard to help them assess your plumbing problem.
  • Ask if they offer free estimates
  • Keep in mind that if a plumber needs to open walls to access pipes, you may have to budget for and hire a handyman or contractor to patch things up after the plumbing job is complete.

Related: Plumbing maintenance tips.

How much does a plumber make?

According to US News & World Report, the average salary of a plumber is $56,030.

Video: What can a plumber do? 

"Every time I’m called out to a job I feel that with my experience and knowledge I’m able to guide my customers in the right direction.

I had a situation where I came into a customer’s home and they had already run their own snake. It turned out his cable had actually come out of his pipe – he actually broke the pipe by forcing it through. He backed off at that point and said you know what I’m going to leave it to the professionals.

He was between a rock and a hard place because it needed to be corrected. It’s always best to just hire a professional. If you’re able to get a professional into your home, then you at least can have peace of mind. I’m able to solve a problem not many are really looking forward to taking care of.

We literally go into some pretty not typical places, like being under a house, or being in an attic, or dealing with something like sewage but someone’s gotta do it. I’m Oscar Miranda, I’m a plumber, and you can find me on Thumbtack."

How do we know these prices?

Millions of people ask Thumbtack for help with their projects every year. We track the estimates they get from local professionals, conduct our own research and then we share those prices with you. The prices reflected in the article above are for informational purposes only and are subject to change at any time. Contact a professional near you to receive a personalized cost estimate for your project.

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