What does a plumber cost?
$150 – $450 covers most standard plumbing repairs including the service call — water heater replacement runs $1,200 – $3,500 for a tank unit.
Emergency and after-hours calls add 50–100%. If more than one drain is slow at once, the problem is probably the line, not the fixture — worth saying when you call.
Cost breakdown
Faucet / toilet / disposal repair
$150 – $450The bread-and-butter service call
Drain clearing (single fixture)
$150 – $400Main line clearing runs $300 – $800
Water heater, tank replacement
$1,200 – $3,50040–50 gal gas or electric, installed
Water heater, tankless
$3,000 – $6,500Endless hot water; may need gas line upsizing
Sewer line repair / replacement
$3,000 – $15,000+Camera inspection first — always
National ranges — your local quotes may vary. Get an exact number free below.
Plumbing repair cost shortcuts
Start here if you already know the plumbing problem. The repair type matters more than the word plumber: a fixture repair, water heater, clog, and sewer line are priced very differently.
Common service-call, fixture, leak, drain, and larger repair ranges.
Plumber service call costDispatch, diagnostic, first-hour, and flat-rate visit fees.
Emergency plumber costAfter-hours leaks, sewer backups, and urgent water-heater calls.
Water heater repair costWhen a repair makes sense before replacement.
Main sewer line clogHow to tell a fixture clog from a main-line problem.
Fast answers for plumbing repair cost searches
Early plumbing impressions are repair-cost, plumber-cost, and service-call questions. Use the exact problem first; a service call, fixture repair, water heater, sewer line, and emergency leak price differently.
Researching plumbing homeowner demand? Start with the contractor guide before choosing any acquisition channel.
Contractor guide ->Unlock the quote checklist
Use this before you compare plumbing estimates, so every quote covers the same assumptions.
What moves your price
When you call
Nights, weekends, and holidays carry premium rates. If it can wait until morning, it's cheaper in the morning.
Access
A water heater in a tight attic or crawlspace costs more to swap than one in a garage.
Code updates
Replacements often trigger required updates — expansion tanks, pans, seismic straps — that add a few hundred dollars legitimately.
One symptom or several
Multiple slow drains, gurgling, or sewage smells point to the main line. Don't pay to snake three fixtures separately.
Individual plumbing cost guides
Specific repairs, installs, treatments, and replacement jobs need their own price ranges. Start here if you already know the project.
How much do plumbing repairs cost?
Most common plumbing repairs cost $150 - $600 when the issue is limited to a fixture, valve, trap, drain, toilet, disposal, or small leak. Larger jobs such as water heater repair, sewer clearing, slab leaks, repiping, or main-line work can range from $600 to several thousand dollars.
Read cost guideHow much does a plumber service call cost?
A plumber service call commonly costs $75 - $200 before parts or larger repair work. Some companies apply that fee toward the repair if you approve the work; others charge it separately as a diagnostic or trip fee.
Read cost guideHow much does an emergency plumber cost?
Emergency plumber visits often start around $150 - $500+ for dispatch and diagnosis, with the actual repair commonly bringing the total to $300 - $1,500+. Sewer backups, hidden leaks, water heater failures, and after-hours parts can cost more.
Read cost guideHow much does water heater repair cost?
Most tank water heater repairs cost $150 - $700. Small parts like a thermocouple, thermostat, heating element, valve, or igniter are usually worth repairing on a younger unit. A leaking tank, repeated failures, or a unit around 10-12 years old usually deserves a replacement quote too.
Read cost guideHow much does water heater replacement cost?
A standard tank water heater replacement usually costs $1,200 - $3,500 installed. Tankless replacements and conversions are commonly $3,000 - $6,500+ because gas, venting, electrical, condensate, and water-quality requirements can change the scope.
Read cost guideWhat does sewer line replacement cost?
Sewer line replacement costs $3,000 – $15,000+ for most residential jobs — the range is that wide because trenchless methods ($80–$250 per foot) cost significantly less than traditional excavation ($50–$200 per foot including all restoration), and line length varies from 30 feet to 150+ feet. Get a camera inspection first ($150–$400) — it's the only way to know what method is actually required.
Read cost guideHow much does a tankless water heater cost to install?
Installing a gas tankless water heater runs $3,000–$6,500 all-in, including the unit and professional installation. A standard 40–50 gallon tank heater costs $1,200–$3,500 installed. The tankless pays back its premium through energy savings in 8–15 years for most households.
Read cost guideHow much does sump pump replacement cost?
Replacing a sump pump runs $400–$1,200 installed for a standard submersible pump — $150–$400 for the pump itself, plus $200–$600 for a plumber's labor. Adding a battery backup system adds $200–$600 more for the backup unit and installation.
Read cost guideWant the exact number for your house?
A local plumbing pro can look at your exact situation and quote it — free, no obligation, and your info goes to one pro, not a call list.