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A plumber's bill comes down to the job: what's broken, how hard it is to reach, what parts it needs and how soon you need someone there. The prices below show what plumbers quoted for common jobs on Service.com.au, followed by what pushes a quote up or down and how to compare plumbers before you book one.
What plumbers quoted through Service.com.au
These are the prices plumbers and gasfitters quoted for common household jobs through Service.com.au in the 12 months to October 2026.
| Job | Typical quote | Most quotes fell between |
|---|---|---|
| Tap, mixer or shower head repair or replacement | $300 | $250 to $450 |
| Toilet leak, cistern or flush repair | $300 | $250 to $400 |
| Leak, burst pipe or water pressure repair | $350 | $300 to $600 |
| Hot water system repair or service | $350 | $300 to $500 |
| Blocked drain or sewer | $400 | $350 to $550 |
| Gas cooktop, oven or heater installation or repair | $400 | $350 to $450 |
| Toilet replacement or new toilet installation | $600 | $350 to $900 |
| Hot water system replacement or new installation | $2,000 | $1,550 to $2,800 |
Plumbers quoting to connect a sink, basin or dishwasher through Service.com.au in the 12 months to October 2026 gave a typical quote of $450, with most quotes between $350 and $700. Shower and bath plumbing jobs quoted through Service.com.au in the same period had a typical quote of $400, with most between $300 and $600.
The hot water repair and service row is influenced by repeat quoting from one business. Treat it as a starting point for the stated jobs and compare current local quotes.
Hot water quotes cover different kinds of work, so check the scope carefully. A valve, element or thermostat replacement is usually a smaller job. Swapping the whole system means a new unit, disposal of the old one and sometimes new pipework or a gas or electrical change. For toilets, our toilet replacement cost guide goes into more detail.
Plumbing call-out fees
Many plumbers charge a call-out fee to come to your home. It covers travel and the first part of the visit, often including the time it takes to look at the problem and quote on it. As an approximate budget, call-out fees can be about $80 to $300. After-hours and emergency charges may be higher, so confirm the amount and inclusions before booking.
Some plumbers bill for their time and parts. Others give a fixed price for the agreed work. The table shows quoted job totals. Check whether your own quote bundles the call-out, labour and materials.
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Ask what you’ll owe if the plumber diagnoses the fault and you stop there. If you go ahead, ask for the total including GST and confirm whether the call-out fee comes off the bill. Check whether a return visit to fit a part carries another charge.
Tip: If a plumber advertises 24/7 or "within the hour" service, ask what the after-hours call-out costs before you book. The price for the same job can change a lot at 10 pm on a Sunday.
Size of the plumbing job
The job itself sets most of the price. These are the things that move a plumbing quote most:
- What's actually wrong. A dripping tap might need a new washer or a whole new mixer. A slow drain might clear in minutes or need a camera inspection and a jetter to shift tree roots.
- Access. Pipes behind tiles, under a concrete slab or in a tight roof space take longer to reach and to make good afterwards.
- Parts and who supplies them. If you supply the fixture, compare the plumber’s installation price plus what you paid for the fixture with a supply-and-install quote.
- Gas or electric. Gas work needs a licensed gasfitter, and switching a hot water system from gas to electric, or to solar or a heat pump, adds work.
- Timing. After-hours and emergency visits cost more than a booked weekday job.
Small problems also grow if they're left. A slow leak can damage cabinetry, flooring or the slab, and a partly blocked drain tends to get worse. Early repairs can prevent damage that adds to the bill.
An unexpectedly high water bill is a common example. A plumber can find out whether the leak is on your side of the water meter. If it isn't, contact your water supplier.
Plumbing licence and insurance
Plumbing, drainage and gasfitting are licensed trades in Australia, and the rules are set by each state and territory. Gas work needs its own licence or permit, so a plumber isn't automatically a gasfitter.
Ask for the plumber's licence number and check it with the regulator in your state before work starts:
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- NSW Government: check the licence or certificate and the categories it covers.
- Victoria's Building and Plumbing Commission: check registration or licensing, work classes and conditions.
- Queensland's QBCC registers: check the plumbing or drainage practitioner and relevant contractor details.
For gas work, check the specific gas-work authorisation with your state regulator; a general plumbing credential does not automatically cover it. In other states and territories, use the government's plumbing and gas licensing registers. Ask what insurance covers the proposed work and damage to your home.
How to hire a plumber
Start with what you can see. A plumber who has been in business for a while will usually have reviews you can read, and reviews that mention the same kind of job as yours tell you the most. You can also ask the plumber for a past customer to talk to.
Then describe the job clearly. Say where the problem is, what you've noticed, how long it's been happening and whether you're supplying any parts. Photos help a plumber give a firmer quote before visiting. On Service.com.au you can find local plumbers and post your job once for plumbers in your area to quote on.
For more on choosing one, read how to choose a plumber, or hiring a blocked drain plumber if that's your problem.
Comparing plumbing quotes
Get more than one written quote and check that each covers the same scope. For each quote, confirm:
- whether it's a fixed price or an hourly estimate, and whether the call-out fee is included
- which parts and materials are included
- what happens if the job turns out bigger than expected, such as a cracked pipe found behind a wall
- removal of old fixtures and rubbish
- any warranty on the work and the parts
For a blocked drain, ask whether the quote covers clearing it only, or also includes a camera inspection to find the cause. If the plumber finds a damaged pipe, ask for a separate repair quote before authorising that work. For hot water, check whether the quote includes the new unit, any changes to connections and removal of the old unit.
Tip: Ask each plumber what would make the price go up. Their answer shows you who has thought about your job and makes the quotes easier to compare.
