When something goes wrong in your home, your first thought may be, “Oh no, what is this repair going to cost me?!” When it comes to plumbing, you may definitely be thinking “plumbing repair costs are going to put me in debt!” But getting a rough estimate of how much plumbing repairs will be can help you feel prepared, mentally and financially. There are a lot of factors that go into plumbing pricing, so there’s quite a bit of variation in how much you might have to pay.

Average Plumbing Repair Costs

The average plumbing repair tends to be about $175 to $450. However, there can be quite a bit of disparity. Simpler jobs may be as little as $50, while more complicated repairs can be around $500. The overall average trends toward the cheaper side because the majority of plumbing repairs are for very basic and easy-to-fix issues. However, for major plumbing repairs that involve system-wide fixes, you could pay around $1,000.

Costs for a plumbing repair may include:

• Labor for the job
• Parts and supplies to repair the problem
• Replacement parts or appliances
• Service and diagnostic fees
• Permit fees
• Haul-away fees for old plumbing

Typical Plumbing Costs by Service Type

To get a more accurate idea of how much you might be required to pay, you need to identify the problem. The problem could be anything from a shower drain clog to a major sewer pipe malfunction. Due to the variations in how long a repair takes and how challenging it is, different repairs have widely different prices. Here are the average costs for plumbing repair broken down by repair type.

• Drain clog: $125 to $300
• Leaky pipe: $150 to $700
• Drain line problems: $250 to $1,000
• Toilet issue: $150 to $300
• Broken water heater: $200 to $900
• Water main repair: $400 to $2,000
• Septic tank problem: $300 to $2,500
• Well pump repair: $350 to $1,350
• Sewer issue: $1,200 to $4,000

What Should a Plumber Cost Per Hour?

Many plumbers’ fees will depend on how long the job takes. Something simple like busting a clog in a drain could be completed in under an hour. Meanwhile, a major repair such as replacing piping throughout the home may take up to 10 days. Plumbers’ prices tend to be about $20 to $150 per hour. This variation in pricing is usually due to the individual plumber’s expertise and can also be due to geography. A new journeyman plumber may just charge local minimum wage, but an experienced plumber who takes on challenging jobs can command a much higher price.

Do Some Plumbers Use Flat-Rate Plumbing Pricing?

Though most plumbing repairs are priced on an hourly basis, some plumbers may use flat-rate plumbing pricing. This is typically done for small jobs, like replacing a faucet, that can be done quickly. It may also be done for more major jobs like handling the piping for a bathroom. Since there’s so much variation for flat-rate pricing, you can expect this to be anywhere from $75 to $6,000.

Can You Save Money With Plumbing DIY Repairs?

If the price of plumbing seems a little high, you might be interested in doing the repairs yourself. Whether or not this is a good idea will depend on the problem. There are several plumbing repairs you can DIY for just the cost of parts or tools, so it is possible to save hundreds. For example, handling a clogged drain may just require you to purchase a $5 plunger instead of paying the full plumber fee. The typical competent DIYer can manage:

• Clearing a clogged drain
• Fixing a toilet that runs constantly
• Repairing a leaky faucet
• Replacing a shower head
• Installing a new faucet

However, for more complex tasks like rerouting pipes, fixing a dishwasher, or handling large repairs, you may need to call in a professional. Depending on where you live, your building code may specify that certain tasks like a water heater replacement only be done by a licensed plumber.

Find Affordable Services by Understanding Cost Factors in Plumbing

There are several reasons that there is such a wide range in plumbing costs. Understanding all the various cost factors in plumbing can help you hire an expert to get the job done properly.

First of all, the area you live in has a huge effect on plumbing costs. You may want to enter your zip code into cost calculators for plumbing to find out how much the average price is in your location.

The condition of your current plumbing also has a big influence on costs. Older homes with galvanized plumbing should expect to pay around $100 extra or so for plumbing assistance. Multiple stories or extra plumbing fixtures in your home may increase prices as well.

Another factor is the company itself. Some bigger companies can charge less since they have more customers. Sometimes, more experienced plumbers will also charge more for their expertise. You may want to call around and get plumbing estimates to find the best deal.

If you want to save money on plumbing repairs, be prepared with a plan from Service Lines Warranties of America. Having a plan in place before things go wrong can help you pay for covered water, sewer and other service line repairs.

Once you have a plan in place and a plumbing issue arises, you can call our 24/7 repair hotline and schedule an appointment with HomeServe’s network of plumbing technicians. We assist with the cost of repairs so you can protect your finances.

Learn more about  how plans from Service Lines Warranties of America can help with the costs of plumbing repairs.