Plumbing repair costs $99 to $990 per repair in 2026
Plumbing repair costs $99 to $990 per repair in 2026, according to Angi, with a $341 average. Bob Vila puts the average at $331 and a typical range at $180 to $489. Simple jobs such as a clog or a toilet fix cost $95 to $500. Burst pipes and sewer lines cost thousands. Hourly rates, the job, and the time of day change the bill.
What price guides say
We checked 4 price guides and read every number on their pages on October 7, 2026. They do not all measure the same thing, so read each line for what it counts.
| Source | What it found |
|---|---|
| Bob Vila | Bob Vila lists plumbers at $45 to $200 per hour, an average of $331 with a typical range of $180 to $489, and burst pipes at $1,000 to $4,000. |
| Angi | Angi says most homeowners pay about $341 for plumbing, with costs from $99 to $990, and lists clogs at $95 to $500 and leaking pipes at $175 to $550. |
| HomeGuide | HomeGuide lists general plumbers at $45 to $150 per hour, pipe repair at $400 to $2,000, and sewer main line repair at $1,880 to $3,700. |
| ThePricer | ThePricer lists plumbers at $45 to $200 per hour and says emergency or after hours work runs 1.5 to 2 times the normal rate. |
Plumbing repair prices by job
| Repair | Price | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Clearing a clog or drain | $95 to $500 | Angi |
| Toilet repair | $100 to $300 | Angi |
| Leaking pipe | $175 to $550 | Angi |
| Water heater repair | $150 to $750 | Angi |
| Gas line repair | $250 to $750 | Angi |
| Pipe repair | $400 to $2,000 | HomeGuide |
| Burst pipe | $1,000 to $4,000 | Bob Vila |
| Sewer main line repair | $1,880 to $3,700 | HomeGuide |
Every number in this table was read on one of the source pages listed at the bottom of this page.
What pushes the price up
| What | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Plumber level | Angi lists apprentices at $45 to $90 per hour, journeypeople at $60 to $110, and master plumbers at $80 to $200. |
| Type of repair | A toilet fix costs $100 to $300, says Angi, while a burst pipe costs $1,000 to $4,000, says Bob Vila. |
| Service call and trip fees | Angi lists service calls at $100 to $250 and trip fees at $50 to $300. Some plumbers fold these into the price. |
| Time of day | Nights, weekends, and holidays cost more. ThePricer says emergency work runs 1.5 to 2 times the normal rate. |
| Access to the pipe | A pipe in an open crawl space is quick to reach. Pipes in walls, ceilings, or under a slab take more labor. |
What the price includes
A repair price usually covers the plumber's time and small parts. Many plumbers add a service call fee, which Angi lists at $100 to $250. Big parts, such as a new valve or water heater, cost extra. Opening and patching walls or floors, permits, and cleanup are often billed apart. Ask if the quote is a flat rate or an hourly rate. It does not include tax or extras the provider adds on the day.
DIY or hire a pro
Small jobs can be a DIY fix. A running toilet, a slow drain, or a loose faucet part often needs only simple tools and a few parts. Angi lists toilet repair at $100 to $300 if you hire a pro, so a DIY fix can save real money. Call a pro for gas lines, burst pipes, sewer lines, water heaters, and any leak inside a wall. Bob Vila lists burst pipes at $1,000 to $4,000. Many cities also need a permit and a licensed plumber for bigger work, and a bad fix can cause water damage that costs far more.
How to tell you need it
Call a plumber when a drain stays slow after you try a plunger, when water bills jump for no reason, or when you see stains, damp spots, or mold. Low water pressure, gurgling drains, and a smell like sewage are also signs. Water running inside a wall or a wet floor needs fast help. Shut off the water at the main valve first, then call.
How to judge your quote
- Ask if the price is a flat rate or an hourly rate.
- Ask what the service call fee is and if it is part of the price.
- Ask if parts, permits, and wall repair are in the quote.
- Check that the plumber is licensed in your state.
- Compare the total with the range above: $99 to $990 per repair for most people in 2026.
Ways to pay less
- Ask for a flat rate before work starts. Angi lists flat rates at $100 to $400 for many small jobs.
- Call during business hours when you can. ThePricer says emergency and after hours work costs 1.5 to 2 times the normal rate.
- Bundle small jobs into one visit so you pay the service call fee once. Angi lists it at $100 to $250.
- Get two or three quotes for any job over $500, and ask what is in each quote.
- Learn where your main water shut off is. Turning off water fast can stop a small leak from becoming a $1,000 to $4,000 burst pipe.
Why this costs more in 2026
Trade labor now runs about $75 to $150 an hour in most of the US. Lumber, steel, copper, PVC and concrete all cost more than in 2024, and freight went up after the oil shock that began with the Iran war in February 2026. Plumbing is mostly skilled labor, and Angi lists master plumbers at $80 to $200 an hour, so even a short job costs more when wages go up.
How we got these numbers
The range on this page comes from Bob Vila, Angi, HomeGuide and ThePricer. We opened each source page and read every number on it on October 7, 2026. Where the sources disagree, the table above shows each one so you can see the spread. These are planning ranges, not quotes. The written price you are given is the real price.
Common questions
How much does a plumber cost per hour?
Angi and Bob Vila both list about $45 to $200 per hour, based on skill. HomeGuide lists general plumbers at $45 to $150.
How much does a plumber charge to fix a leak?
Angi lists $175 to $550 for a leaking pipe. HomeGuide lists $150 to $850 for leak repair.
How much does it cost to unclog a drain?
Angi lists $95 to $500 for clearing a clog. HomeGuide lists $100 to $275 for a drain.
What is a plumber's service call fee?
Angi lists service call fees at $100 to $250. HomeGuide lists $50 to $200, so ask each plumber.
How much does a burst pipe repair cost?
Bob Vila lists $1,000 to $4,000 for a burst pipe. A simple leaky pipe repair is $150 to $450.