Hiring a plumber: emergencies, pricing, licences and what to ask

Hiring a plumber tends to happen in one of two ways: in a hurry, with water coming through the ceiling, or calmly, for a new bathroom, a water heater or a leaking tap you have been ignoring. The checks are the same in both cases, but how much time you have to do them is very different. This guide covers emergency versus planned work, how plumbers usually price their time, which licences and registrations matter in each country, and the questions to ask before anyone starts.

In an emergency: first steps before you call

A little preparation reduces both the damage and the pressure to hire the first person who answers the phone.

• Know where your stopcock or main shut-off valve is. In the UK it is often under the kitchen sink; in North America and Australia it may be in a basement, utility area, or near the meter outside. Find it now, before you need it.
• Turn off the water and, if water is near electrics, switch off the electricity at the consumer unit or breaker panel if it is safe to reach.
• If you smell gas, leave the property and call the gas emergency line for your area from outside. In the UK that is the National Gas Emergency Service. Do not call a general plumber first.
• Check your home insurance. Some policies, or add-on home emergency cover, include a helpline that sends an approved plumber. Calling them first can save arguments about the claim later.
• Take photos of the leak and any damage before and after the water is off.

Even in a hurry, ask a few basic questions on the phone: the business name, where they are based, how they charge for an emergency call, and roughly when they can arrive. Write down the answers.

Planned work: take your time

For non-urgent jobs, such as replacing a water heater or boiler, moving pipework, installing a new bathroom or fixing a slow leak, treat it like any other contractor hire. Get several written quotes, check licences and insurance, and compare them line by line using our guide to getting quotes. For bigger refits, see bathroom and kitchen refits. Heating systems are covered in boilers and HVAC.

How plumbers charge

Prices vary a lot by area, time of day and the job itself, so we do not give figures here. What helps is understanding the common pricing models so you can ask the right questions.

• Call-out charge. A fixed fee for coming to your home, sometimes including a first period of labour. Ask whether it is deducted from the bill if you go ahead, and whether it is higher in the evening, at weekends or on public holidays.
• Hourly rate. You pay for time on site, plus materials. Ask how time is counted (by the full hour or in smaller blocks), whether travel and trips to the merchant are charged, and how materials are marked up.
• Fixed price. One price for a defined job. This suits planned work where the scope is clear. Check exactly what is included, and what would count as an extra.
• Diagnosis first, then a quote. For problems where the cause is unclear, such as a hidden leak or low pressure, many plumbers charge to investigate and then quote for the repair. This is reasonable, as long as you agree it before they start.

Whatever the model, ask for the price or the rate in writing, even if that is a text message, before work starts. Ask for an itemised invoice at the end.

Licences and registrations by country

United States

Plumbing licences are mostly issued by states, though in some places cities or counties license plumbers instead or as well. Many areas have different levels, such as apprentice, journeyman and master, and some types of work must be done or supervised by a master plumber. Check the licence number on your state or local licensing board's website, and confirm the name matches. Many jobs, such as water heater replacement or new drain and supply lines, need a permit and inspection from the local building department. The plumber should pull the permit.

United Kingdom

There is no single mandatory licence for general plumbing in the UK, so anyone can call themselves a plumber. That makes the checks below more important.

• Gas Safe Register. Any work on gas appliances or pipework, including boilers, gas fires and gas hobs, must by law be done by a Gas Safe registered engineer. Ask to see their Gas Safe ID card, check the back to see which types of gas work they are qualified for, and confirm their registration on the Gas Safe Register website.
• WaterSafe. WaterSafe is a national accreditation scheme for plumbing businesses, bringing together approved plumber schemes. Members are trained in the water supply regulations, which matter for work such as new supply pipes and outside taps. You can search for members on the WaterSafe website.
• Building Regulations. Some plumbing work, such as installing an unvented hot water cylinder or new drainage, falls under the Building Regulations. Ask whether the plumber can self-certify through a competent person scheme, or whether Building Control will need to be notified.
• Trade bodies and TrustMark. Membership of a trade body or TrustMark registration is not compulsory, but it gives you a complaints route. Check membership on the organisation's own website.

Canada and Australia

Plumbing is a licensed or regulated trade across Canadian provinces and Australian states and territories, but the rules and the regulator differ by location. In Canada, look for a provincial certificate of qualification and check any municipal licensing and permit rules. In Australia, check the plumber's licence with the state or territory regulator, and confirm it covers the type of work, such as gas fitting, drainage or roof plumbing.

Insurance and guarantees

Ask for proof of liability insurance. A plumbing mistake can flood a house, so this matters more than it might seem. Ask what guarantee the plumber gives on their workmanship and for how long, and keep any manufacturer warranty paperwork for appliances such as water heaters, boilers or pumps. Some manufacturers require registration or annual servicing to keep the warranty valid.

Questions to ask a plumber