How Much do Plumbers Charge Per Hour?

Plumbing is always in high demand across the UK, as emergencies often occur without warning. That’s why plumbers are also in high demand. Some of them charge daily, and some others charge hourly rates.

A basic daily charge typically ranges from £200 to £350. How about hourly rates? How much do plumbers charge per hour? That varies depending on many factors.

Hourly charges are on trend nowadays. There is no day-long commitment when you charge by the hour. Moreover, plumbers can schedule work for 2-3 clients per day if they charge hourly. Let’s break down the factors and costing in detail.

Factors that affect plumber rates per hour in the UK

Plumbing labour costs don’t remain the same throughout the year. The rate gets high sometimes. Several factors influence the hourly rate for plumbers in the UK.

Let’s break down the factors:

Expertise of the plumber

Experience has value in every aspect of life. It has its voice through efficiency. An expert plumber will take less time to complete the task, but the labour cost for an expert plumber is higher than that of an apprentice.

Scope of work

Some plumbing work has complexities. Access to the fixtures, conditions, and other complexities may increase the scope of work and also the hourly rate. Narrow or hard-to-reach spaces are complicated for plumbing.

Location of plumbing

Plumbing charge varies depending on the working location as well. For example, a plumbing job in London requires a higher plumbing charge than in other areas of the UK. Rural areas of the UK charge less than urban areas.

Time of the year

Although plumbing work can be required at any time of the year, plumbers charge low during off-peak seasons like summer or spring. Because in the Spring or Summer, they don’t need to deal with the cold weather.

Plumber’s required travel time

The plumber’s location can be a significant factor in high plumbing costs. If the plumbers are traveling to a distant area, they charge more than plumbers in your local area. Also, hiring plumbers from a distant area is not worth it when you’re having an emergency.

Emergency callout or urgency

Emergencies don’t follow any time rules. Sometimes plumbers receive an emergency callout, where someone may require service within 2-3 hours. In an emergency callout, plumbers usually charge a high fee. However, the charge increases even further if it’s made at midnight.

How much do plumbers charge per hour – Cost breakdown

Plumber hourly rates in the UK keep changing. Not all plumbing work takes a similar amount of time. Some of them might not take a day. That’s why plumbers often charge by the hour. Now the question pops into the head about the plumber pricing in hourly rate.

Let’s delve into the detailed plumber hourly rates:

Plumber hourly rate by service types

Plumbers charge an hourly rate for standard services. However, the service charges increase when it’s an emergency callout. Let’s see the standard and emergency callout hourly rates by plumbers for their services:

Installation cost (Hourly)

No more searches are required to know how much it costs to install a boiler, shower, toilet, or sink. The approximate rates are listed below:

Repairing cost (Hourly)

Repairing is always an emergency. That’s why repairs need an emergency call-out fee as well. Here are the hourly repair rates of plumbers:

There can be call-out fees covering the first hour of labour. Additionally, there may be separate diagnosis and travel fees added to the hourly labour cost.

Replacing cost (Hourly)

Replacing an old fixture with a new one is a very common scenario in the UK. Here are the hourly rates of plumbers for replacements:

Plumber hourly rate by experience

Plumbers charge labour costs depending on their experience. The more experienced the plumber, the higher the hourly rate he demands.

Plumber hourly rate by location

A plumber’s hourly rate also depends on your location. Usually, plumbers in South East London and Central London charge more than in other areas.

Plumber’s hourly rate by time of the year

Plumbers in the UK often hike their prices during peak seasons. How much do plumbers charge per hour during peak season or off-peak season? Here’s it.

Additional costs that plumbers charge

Apart from the hourly rates, there are some extra charges that you can expect to pay when hiring a plumber. These are some hidden charges that you may skip. However, don’t forget to add these charges when calculating hourly plumbing charges.

Pro tips to save money when hiring a plumber hourly

Some essential techniques can be real savers. If you’re on a tight budget or seeking a cost-effective plumbing service, these tips may help you.

Choose off-peak season or regular hours

If your plumbing work is not an emergency, you can hire a plumber during the off-peak season or at regular weekday hours. That will cost you less than during winter or peak hours (holidays, evenings, etc.).

Compare multiple quotes

To save money, request quotes from multiple plumbing companies. Then, compare them thoroughly in terms of services and prices. Comparing 3-4 quotes will help you find the convenient one.

Buy fixtures yourself

Buying and supplying the fixtures yourself can help you save a significant amount of money. Try not to leave the supply management part to the plumbers. You can choose the fixtures yourself and buy the cost-effective ones.

Check if VAT is included

When checking the quotes, clarify whether any VAT is included or not. Typically, sole traders don’t add VAT, but plumbing companies often do. Be sure about the call-out fees as well.

Try some DIY

If you can do some preparatory work yourself, that will save the plumber time. That’s how you can save labour time and hourly costs.

How to find the best plumber in the UK?

Finding the best company is easy. You should search for local plumbers near you. Look for expertise, testimonials, Google ratings, and other relevant information. You can look for a multi-tasking, affordable plumbing company like Smart Plumbing and Heating Bristol.

Verify that the plumbing company employs Gas Safe-registered plumbers, heating engineers, and other relevant professionals. If they are having electricians as well, that’s a bingo.

Final words

Plumber hourly rates are often more favorable than daily rates, as not everyone requires plumbing work on a daily basis. Hourly rates change. So, you must know how much do plumbers charge per hour so that you can calculate and estimate the cost accordingly. It will also help you compare the quotes.

Hourly rates are convenient and cost-effective. So, it is a wise decision to book plumbers with hourly rates. Hopefully, this article will help you calculate a plumber’s charges. Plan, execute, enjoy.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How much should a plumber charge per hour in the UK?

You can expect to pay approximately £40-£80 to a plumber in the UK. It is an average amount, but it can vary.

What is a reasonable call out charge for a plumber?

A reasonable call-out charge for a plumber in the UK can range from £30 to £60. Follow our pro tips to get a cost-effective plumbing service.

Why are plumbers so expensive in the UK per hour?

It takes many years and thousands of hours to master the techniques of plumbing work. Plumbers require high-quality, professional-grade tools to work efficiently. They invest their time in practice for hours. Plumbing requires a significant amount of time and effort. That’s why it’s quite obvious that plumbers will be a little more expensive.

How do I choose the best plumber?

Find the best plumbers by expertise, reviews, ratings, USP, etc. At Smart Plumbing & Heating Bristol, we have experienced Gas Safe engineers, heating engineers, and electricians. You can contact us at any time to receive services from our multi-tasking team.