Every plumbing job is different, so I don't publish fixed price lists. What I do instead is give you a free upfront quote before any work starts — so you know the exact cost before I pick up a tool. No surprises on the invoice, no scope creep without your approval, and everything I do is backed by my lifetime labour warranty.

The honest answer to "how much will it cost?" is: it depends. Below I've explained what the main variables are for each common job type, so you have a realistic picture of what drives the cost before you call.

Blocked Drains

Blocked drain jobs vary more than most people expect, because the fix depends entirely on what's causing the blockage and where it is. Key factors that affect the cost:

  • Type of blockage. A simple hair-and-soap build-up in a bathroom drain is a quick job with an electric eel. A tree root intrusion deep in a clay sewer main requires a high-pressure jetter and often a CCTV camera inspection first — that's a more involved job.
  • Location of the blockage. A drain under the kitchen sink is accessible. A main sewer line blockage that requires locating the cleanout access point and jetting from there takes more time.
  • Condition of the pipes. If the CCTV camera shows the pipe is cracked or partially collapsed, clearing the blockage is only half the job — a pipe reline or excavation repair may also be needed. I'll explain what I find before recommending anything.
  • Number of blockages. If multiple drains are backing up, it's usually a single main line blockage — but diagnosing and confirming that takes an inspection.

Hot Water System Repair & Replacement

Hot water costs depend primarily on whether the job is a repair or a full replacement, and which system type is involved:

  • Repair vs replacement. A pressure relief valve swap or a thermostat replacement on a relatively new system is a straightforward repair. If the unit is more than 10 years old and failing, replacement is usually the more cost-effective path — but I'll give you both options and be honest about which makes more sense.
  • System type. Electric storage, gas storage, gas continuous flow, solar and heat pump systems all have different parts costs and installation complexity. Heat pump systems, for example, take more time to install correctly than a like-for-like electric swap.
  • Access and location. A hot water unit on a concrete pad in an open backyard is easy to work on. One in a cramped under-house space or requiring an upgrade to the gas line adds to the job.
  • Parts availability. For older or less common brands, parts may need to be sourced, which adds time. I'll tell you upfront if that's the case.

Leaking Taps

Most tap repairs are quick jobs, but a few things affect where they sit:

  • Tap type. A traditional washer tap takes a washer and seat regrind. A ceramic disc mixer needs a cartridge replacement. Some imported or discontinued fittings require parts that aren't off the shelf.
  • Parts on hand. I carry the most common washer sizes, O-rings and cartridges for popular tap brands. For less common fittings, I may need to source parts — I'll let you know before I start.
  • Repair vs replacement. Sometimes a tap is so worn or corroded that replacement is cheaper and more reliable than repair. I'll advise honestly which makes more sense rather than doing a repair that won't hold.
  • Number of taps. If you've got several dripping taps or an ageing bathroom full of worn fittings, doing them together is more efficient than separate callouts.

Burst Pipes

Burst pipe jobs are by nature urgent and unpredictable, but the cost drivers are consistent:

  • Location of the burst. A burst pipe in an exposed wall cavity is accessible. One under a concrete slab requires cutting the slab to reach it — that's a bigger job involving more time, materials and reinstatement work.
  • Pipe material and age. Copper, PEX, PVC and galvanised steel all repair differently. A cracked copper joint is a solder repair. A failed galvanised section in an older home may warrant replacing a larger run of pipe at the same time, rather than patching something that's likely to fail again shortly after.
  • Extent of damage. A single split at a joint is a straightforward fix. A pipe that's failed along a longer run, or that's caused water damage that needs assessment, takes more time.
  • Access. Concrete, tiles and wall linings all affect the scope of a slab or in-wall pipe repair. I'll explain exactly what's involved and quote accurately before starting.

Gas Fitting

Gas work has to be done by a licensed gas fitter (licence 311530C) and involves compliance certification — those are fixed requirements that apply to every job. Beyond that, the cost depends on:

  • Scope of work. Connecting a new gas cooktop to an existing outlet is a contained job. Running a new gas line from the meter to an outdoor entertaining area involves more pipe, fittings and installation time.
  • Existing gas line capacity. If the existing gas supply line isn't large enough to handle an additional appliance, the line may need to be upgraded — I check this before quoting.
  • Access and routing. Running a gas line under a house through an open subfloor is simpler than routing through a finished ceiling. I'll identify the most practical path when I assess the job.
  • Compliance testing. All gas work requires pressure testing and a compliance certificate. This is included in every quote — there are no add-on certification fees.

After-Hours & Emergency Callouts

Plumbing emergencies don't keep business hours, and I'm available 24/7. A few things are worth knowing:

  • You'll know the cost before I start. Even for an emergency callout at 2am, I give you an upfront quote before touching anything. You're never presented with a bill you didn't agree to.
  • What affects an emergency job cost. The same factors apply as for the equivalent daytime job — access, materials, scope — plus the time of day. After-hours work reflects the real cost of being available around the clock. I won't pad the bill, but I won't pretend there's no difference between a Monday morning job and a Sunday night emergency either.
  • Urgent vs emergency. If something is urgent but not flooding or a safety risk, calling me during business hours will generally be more cost-effective. If it's a burst pipe, sewage backup or gas leak, call me regardless of the time.

How the Quote Process Works

When you call or fill in the form on this page, I'll find out what's going on and arrange a time to come and look at the job. Most of the time I can get to you the same day or next day — emergencies obviously faster.

When I arrive, I assess the job properly — I don't guess or quote blind. I'll tell you what I found, what needs doing and why, and give you a written price. If there are different ways to approach the job (repair vs replace, pipe relining vs excavation), I'll walk you through the options and what each means in practice. You decide. Nothing starts until you agree to the quote.

If something unexpected comes up once work is underway — which occasionally happens when you open up walls or inspect pipes more closely — I stop, explain what I found and revise the quote before continuing. You're always in control of what gets spent.

Lifetime Labour Warranty

Everything I do is backed by a lifetime labour warranty on my workmanship. That means if there's ever an issue with work I've carried out — a joint I fitted that develops a leak, a repair that hasn't held — I'll come back and fix it at no charge. No time limit, no administration, no argument. It's not a marketing line; it's just how I've always worked. In 16-plus years as a sole operator, my reputation depends on every single job I do.