Emergency rate on a non-emergency
After-hours pricing at 1.5–3x is fair when it really is after hours. Charging it at 2pm on a Tuesday is not.
A plumber's hour is $75–150. Not $600.
Standard rates run $75–150 an hour, master plumbers $100–200. Emergency calls can fairly cost 1.5–3x, up to about $600 an hour on a holiday. Above that, ask why.
Common plumbing problems we price
Typical fair prices
- Toilet fill valve$48–$350
- Toilet wax ring and reset$60–$399
- Faucet cartridge$57–$420
- Drain clearing$100–$300
- Tank water heater, 40–50 gal$810–$2,700
- Garbage disposal$179–$875
- Shutoff valve$48–$350
National installed ranges, including a typical service call where one applies. Your check adjusts labor for your ZIP code.
What people get quoted vs. what's fair
| Job | Quoted | Fair range |
|---|---|---|
| Average plumbing service call | $900 | $150–$340 |
| Toilet fill valve | $395 | $110–$260 |
| Emergency hour, holiday | $850 | $150–$600 |
Fair labor: $75–$150 an hour (master plumbers $100–200/hr). After-hours work can fairly cost up to 3x. Your check uses the numbers on your own quote and your ZIP.
Common plumbing repair tricks
Repipe the house
A whole-house repipe pitched over one pinhole leak. Ask for the leak location and a spot repair price.
Camera inspection upsell
A sewer camera run at $300+ before anyone has snaked the line.