How Much Does an Emergency Plumber Cost?

Plumbing problems can crop up at any time. If you have a problem at your home like a burst water pipe or a toilet that won’t flush, you need quick help from a plumber. If the plumbing problem you face happens at night, on the weekend or a holiday, general plumbers are not available. This means you must find an emergency plumber near you who can come to your assistance right away.

There are a few factors that will determine how much you’ll have to pay an emergency plumber. But before we begin, remember that whatever the cost, an emergency plumber can save you lots of money in the long run.

Water damage and mould from a plumbing problem can cost a lot more to repair than the initial problem alone. Here are the main factors that will determine the cost of an emergency plumber.

How Challenging the Job Will Be to Complete

Of course, fixing something like a broken faucet will be much cheaper than replacing an entire toilet. Most emergency plumbers have set callout fees and typically charge hourly rates. If an emergency plumber charges £75 for a callout fee and £60 per hour, you’ll be paying at least £130. But if the job takes hours to complete, the final cost will be much higher.

Cost of Materials

On top of the callout fee and hourly rate, you’ll also have to pay for the cost of any materials needed to complete the job. There is an exception to this rule though. Small parts that are cheap to replace are usually included in the cost of the labour work. However, anything bigger will be added to your total cost. This means you should ask your plumber for an estimate before the work begins.

Ease of Access

If you have a leaking pipe under the bathtub and the tub is fully enclosed and tiled, it’s going to take the plumber some time to gain access to the issue. And the longer the work takes, the more you’ll end up paying.

Again, be sure to ask for an estimate before giving your plumber the green light to continue. You surely don’t want to be shocked by a huge bill you can’t afford to pay.

Your Location

Plumbers, like other professional tradesmen, earn more money in large metropolitan areas. This means your location is one of the factors in determining how much you’ll pay for emergency plumbing services. A London emergency plumber will cost far more than one located in a small community.

Helpful Tips

Emergency plumbing problems are the stuff of nightmares. Nobody wants to discover that their house is flooding in the middle of the night due to a water leak.