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
| Job | Typical cost | Worth knowing |
|---|---|---|
| Faucet / toilet / disposal repair | $150 – $450 | The bread-and-butter service call |
| Drain clearing (single fixture) | $150 – $400 | Main line clearing runs $300 – $800 |
| Water heater, tank replacement | $1,200 – $3,500 | 40–50 gal gas or electric, installed |
| Water heater, tankless | $3,000 – $6,500 | Endless hot water; may need gas line upsizing |
| Sewer line repair / replacement | $3,000 – $15,000+ | Camera inspection first — always |
Preview figures — production pricing will be regionalized from per-market research.
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.
Want 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.