Plumber cost in the UK (2026 guide)
Most price guides put a plumber at about £40 to £70 an hour in 2026. Call-out fees often run from about £60 to £120. London and the South East cost more, and emergency work costs extra.
These figures come from published guides, and the guides disagree. Treat them as a benchmark, then compare written quotes for your own job.
Plumber cost at a glance
| Item | Typical range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Hourly rate | £40 to £70 | Gas Safe engineers sit near the top |
| Call-out fee | £60 to £120 | Some firms include the first hour |
| Day rate | £250 to £400 | Trade2base; varies by area |
| London hourly rate | About £75 to £95 | MyJobQuote London estimate |
| Out-of-hours work | 50% or more extra | Nights, weekends, bank holidays |
How plumbers price a job
Plumbers charge in one of three ways, and each suits a different job. Knowing which one a plumber offers helps you compare quotes fairly.
Hourly rate
You pay for the time on site, plus parts. This suits small or unclear jobs, because nobody knows the time in advance. Ask for an estimate of the hours and a cap.
Call-out fee
A call-out fee covers the visit, and sometimes the first hour. Fees vary widely, so ask what they cover. Some firms charge a low call-out and then a high hourly rate.
Fixed price
For a clear job, such as fitting a tap or replacing a toilet, a fixed price removes the guesswork. Ask what it includes, for example parts, waste removal and VAT.
Emergency and out-of-hours costs
Emergency work costs more because of the short notice. Logic4training reports surcharges of up to 50% or time-and-a-half, and some firms charge more. Call-out fees for emergencies can reach £150 or above.
A temporary fix, such as turning off the water, followed by a booked daytime visit, often costs less. Our emergency plumber page shows what to do first.
What affects the cost
Several things move the price, and most are easy to check.
- Location. London and the South East are dearer.
- Time. Evenings, weekends and bank holidays cost more.
- Access. A hidden pipe takes longer to reach.
- Parts. Cheap parts cost less now but may fail sooner.
- Gas work. A Gas Safe engineer may charge more, because the work needs registration.
How to avoid overpaying
Get at least three written quotes, because prices differ between plumbers. Ask for the total, not only the hourly rate. Group small jobs into one visit, since a call-out fee is paid once. Check the plumber’s registration so you do not pay twice for poor work.
Our guide to finding a tradesman you can trust lists the checks. To start comparing, send us your job and we will pass it to local plumbers. You can also read about plumbers near you.
Where these figures come from
We checked price guides from Watersafe, Checkatrade, MyBuilder, MyJobQuote, Trade2base and Logic4training in October 2026. Price-comparison or trade-software sites write most of them, not official bodies, so they disagree. We show the overlapping range and name the outliers.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a plumber cost per hour in the UK?
About £40 to £70 an hour in most guides, with London higher. Gas Safe engineers tend to charge more than plumbers who do not work on gas.
What is the average plumber call-out fee?
Guides we checked suggest about £60 to £120, although some firms charge more. Ask what the fee covers, because some firms add labour on top.
How much does an emergency plumber cost?
Expect a call-out of about £60 to £150 plus labour and parts, with out-of-hours surcharges. Agree the total before the plumber starts.
Is it cheaper to pay a fixed price or by the hour?
A fixed price is safer when the job is clear. Hourly pricing suits unclear faults. Either way, ask for a written quote.
How do I avoid overpaying a plumber?
Compare three quotes, ask what each includes, and check registrations. Be wary of a price that is far below the others.