Plumbers near you: compare up to 5 free quotes
Need a plumber for a leak, a new bathroom or a heating fault? Tell us about the job and your postcode. We pass it to up to five local plumbers, who can send you a quote. It is free, and you do not have to accept any of them.
## What plumbers doPlumbing covers a wide range of work, from a five-minute washer change to a whole new heating system. Because the skills overlap, many plumbers also do gas work, but the two are not the same. Always check which of these your job needs.
- Leaks and burst pipes, including finding the source and repairing it.
- Taps, toilets and showers, from a dripping tap to a new shower fitting.
- Bathroom installations, with or without tiling and electrics.
- Radiators and central heating, including pumps, valves and power flushes.
- Boilers and hot water, such as servicing, repairs and replacements.
- Drains and blockages, from a sink trap to a blocked main drain.
Gas work needs a Gas Safe engineer
By law, anyone who works on gas appliances must be on the Gas Safe Register. This covers boilers, gas hobs and gas fires. Ask to see the engineer’s Gas Safe ID card, and check the number on the register before work starts.
Other plumbing does not need a Gas Safe engineer. Even so, WaterSafe lists approved plumbers, which is a useful extra check because it shows the plumber has met a recognised standard.
How much does a plumber cost?
Price guides from Watersafe, MyBuilder and Checkatrade put plumbers at about £40 to £70 an hour. Call-out fees often run from about £60 to £120, and London and the South East usually cost more, and emergency or out-of-hours work costs extra.
Prices change, and guides disagree, so use these as a starting point only. Our plumber cost guide explains how plumbers price a job. If you need a new boiler, see the new boiler cost guide.
Need a plumber in an emergency?
A burst pipe or a total loss of water cannot wait. Turn off the stop tap first, then read our emergency plumber page for what to do next. For a boiler fault, see emergency boiler repair.
If you smell gas, leave the house and call the National Gas Emergency Service on 0800 111 999. Do not switch anything on or off.
How to choose a plumber
We do not vet or guarantee the plumbers who respond, so check them yourself. Ask for ID, proof of insurance and a written quote. A good plumber will expect these questions and answer them without fuss.
Read reviews on an independent site, because reviews on a plumber’s own website can be selective. Our guide to finding a tradesman you can trust explains each check step by step.
Before you hire
Read how to find a tradesman you can trust and how to read tradesperson reviews first. If your boiler is the problem, see when to replace a boiler and boiler grants.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a plumber cost per hour in the UK?
Most price guides put it at about £40 to £70 an hour. Gas Safe engineers tend to sit at the top of that range, while London costs more. Always ask for a written quote before work starts.
What is the average plumber call-out charge?
Guides we checked give about £60 to £120, although some plumbers include the first hour in the price. Ask what the call-out fee covers, because some firms charge it on top of labour.
How do I find a reliable plumber near me?
Compare more than one quote, check registrations and read independent reviews. You can send us your job and we will pass it to local plumbers, but the checks are still yours to make.
Are the plumbing quotes really free?
Yes. It costs nothing to send us your job and you do not have to accept a quote. You pay only the plumber you choose, for the work you agree.