💷 Emergency Plumber Costs: What You Actually Pay (2025)
Last updated: February 2025
It's 3AM. Pipe burst. You need a plumber NOW. You Google "emergency plumber near me" and call the first number.
They show up. Do 90 minutes of work. Hand you a bill for £950.
Is that fair? Daylight robbery? Somewhere in between?
Here's what emergency plumbing actually costs, what's reasonable, and how to avoid getting ripped off. From someone in the industry who's seen both sides.
Emergency Plumbing Cost Structure (How It's Priced)
There are two pricing models:
Model 1: Callout + Hourly Rate
How it works:
- Fixed callout fee (covers travel, emergency response)
- Hourly rate after that (labour)
- Parts added separately (materials)
Example: £95 callout + £75/hour + parts. Job takes 2 hours, £150 in parts = £95 + £150 + £150 = £395 total.
Problem: You don't know final cost until job is done. "2 hours" can become "4 hours" if they work slowly or "find extra problems".
Model 2: Fixed Price (What We Use)
How it works:
- Engineer assesses job
- Quotes fixed price before starting
- That's what you pay (no surprises)
Example: "Burst pipe repair under sink: £280 including parts and labour." You approve or decline. If you approve, that's the price.
Advantage: You know the cost before committing. No bill shock.
What Emergency Plumbing Actually Costs (2025 UK Prices)
Callout Fees (Emergency Response)
- Daytime (Mon-Fri, 8AM-6PM): £55-95
- Evening (6PM-11PM): £75-120
- Night (11PM-8AM): £95-180
- Weekend (Sat-Sun): £85-150
- Bank holiday: £120-200
Note: Callout fee is usually absorbed into job cost if you proceed (e.g., if callout is £95 and job is £350, you pay £350 total, not £445).
Common Emergency Jobs (Fixed Price Range)
- Burst pipe repair (accessible): £120-350
- Burst pipe repair (floorboards up): £350-650
- Frozen pipe thawing: £150-450
- Toilet repair (cistern/flush): £95-250
- Toilet unblock: £80-180
- Sink/drain unblock: £95-220
- Tap replacement: £85-180
- Boiler breakdown (diagnostic): £95-150
- Boiler repair (parts + labour): £180-650
- Radiator leak repair: £120-280
- Stopcock replacement: £150-320
- Emergency leak detection: £250-600
Hourly Rates (If Not Fixed Price)
| Time | Standard Rate | Emergency Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Weekday daytime | £45-75/hour | £65-95/hour |
| Weekday evening | £60-95/hour | £75-120/hour |
| Night (11PM-8AM) | N/A | £95-150/hour |
| Weekend | £55-85/hour | £75-120/hour |
| Bank holiday | N/A | £95-150/hour |
London rates add 20-30%. Southeast add 10-20%. Scotland/Wales/North England are usually at lower end of ranges.
What's Fair vs What's a Rip-Off?
✅ Fair Pricing Examples:
- £350 for burst pipe repair at 2AM including parts (reasonable)
- £95 callout + £280 fixed price for toilet repair = £95 absorbed, you pay £280 (good)
- £150 diagnostic + £450 boiler repair with new part = £600 total (fair for emergency Gas Safe work)
🚩 Warning Signs (Possible Scam):
- No written quote before starting
- "Minimum 3 hours charge" (turns £75/hour into £225 minimum)
- Parts charged at 300% retail (£20 part billed as £60)
- "Oh we found more problems" adding £400 to quote
- Cash only, no receipt, no VAT number
- Pressure to decide immediately ("This will get worse, needs doing now")
🚨 Actual Scam That Happens:
The "Minimum 4 Hours" Trick:
Rogue trader quotes "£75/hour, 4-hour minimum". Job takes 45 minutes. They charge £300 (4 hours) anyway. When you complain, they point to small print.
How to avoid: Ask about minimum charges BEFORE booking. Legitimate companies either have no minimum or absorb callout into job cost.
Regional Price Differences
London & Southeast:
- Callout: £120-200
- Hourly: £85-150
- Simple job: £150-400
- Complex job: £400-1,000+
Midlands & major cities:
- Callout: £95-150
- Hourly: £65-95
- Simple job: £120-300
- Complex job: £300-700
Scotland, Wales, North England, rural areas:
- Callout: £75-120
- Hourly: £55-85
- Simple job: £95-250
- Complex job: £250-600
Why Emergency Plumbing Costs More
People often complain: "£350 for 90 minutes work?!" Here's what you're actually paying for:
- Availability: Engineer on call 24/7, can't make other plans
- Response time: Drop everything, drive to you within 60-90 minutes
- Unsociable hours: Working at 3AM when everyone else is asleep
- Van stock: Carrying £5,000+ of parts so they can fix it first visit
- Expertise: Qualified, insured, knows what they're doing
- Insurance: £10M public liability (required by law)
- Gas Safe registration: £300/year, training, compliance
Compare to your own job: Would you work 3AM Christmas Day for the same hourly rate you get Monday morning? Probably not.
💡 Reality Check: £350 for emergency burst pipe repair at 2AM is £233/hour if it takes 90 minutes. Sounds like a lot. But that's revenue, not profit. After van costs, fuel, insurance, training, tax, equipment, the plumber takes home maybe £80-100. Still decent, but not "daylight robbery".
How To Get Value (Without Getting Ripped Off)
1. Get Fixed Price Quote Before Starting
Ask: "Can you give me a fixed price for this job?" Legitimate plumbers can usually quote within 10 minutes of assessing.
2. Ask What's Included
"Does that price include parts and VAT?" Some quotes are labour-only, parts added on top.
3. Get It In Writing
Even if it's scribbled on paper: "Burst pipe under sink: £280 incl. parts + VAT." Signed. Now you both know where you stand.
4. Check Credentials
- Gas Safe ID if boiler work (photo ID with number—check on register.gassaferegister.co.uk)
- Company name, phone number, address on invoice
- VAT number if charging VAT
- Insurance details if you ask
5. Don't Pay Full Amount Up Front
Deposit for parts? Maybe £50-100 if expensive part needed. But full amount before job starts? No. Pay on completion.
6. Get Itemized Invoice
Should show: labour, parts (with descriptions), VAT, total. Not just "plumbing work: £650".
Insurance: Does It Cover Emergency Plumbers?
✅ Usually covered (buildings insurance):
- Emergency plumber callout for insured event (burst pipe, leak)
- Pipe repair/replacement
- Consequential damage (water damage from leak)
❌ Usually NOT covered:
- Routine repairs (washer replacement, tap dripping)
- Maintenance (boiler service, system flush)
- Pre-existing issues (you knew about the leak for weeks)
- Betterment (upgrading to better equipment than you had)
How insurance claims work:
- Emergency happens (burst pipe)
- You call emergency plumber
- Get receipt/invoice
- Call insurance, give claim reference
- Send invoice/photos
- They pay (minus your excess, usually £250-500)
Some insurers have "approved contractor networks". They might insist you use their plumber (no excess, direct billing). But in genuine 2AM emergency? Use whoever can get there fastest, claim back later.
How to Save Money on Emergency Plumbing
1. Prevent emergencies:
- Insulate pipes (£20) prevents frozen bursts (£350 callout)
- Annual boiler service (£80) prevents breakdowns (£600 emergency repair)
- Fix small leaks immediately (£120) before they become floods (£3,000 damage)
2. Know your stopcock location:
Turning off water yourself (free) vs waiting for emergency plumber to do it (£95 callout + water damage).
3. Have plumber's number saved BEFORE emergency:
Don't Google "emergency plumber" at 2AM and click the first sponsored ad (often the most expensive/dodgy). Find reputable company now, save number.
4. If not immediate danger, wait till morning:
Toilet blocked but you have a second one? Wait till 8AM, save £100 night premium. Water off, leak stopped? Schedule for tomorrow, save emergency callout.
5. Learn basic DIY:
- Unblock toilet with plunger: free
- Replace tap washer: £5 + 15 minutes
- Tighten compression fittings: £0
But know your limits. DIY plumbing gone wrong = £500 to fix your fix plus the original problem.
Red Flags: When To Walk Away
🚨 Call Off The Job If:
- No ID, no company vehicle, no uniform
- Won't give written quote ("I'll tell you at the end")
- Demands cash only, no receipt
- Quotes one price, then adds extras without approval
- Pressures you to approve work immediately ("This will explode/flood/kill you")
- Can't explain what they're doing in plain English
- No Gas Safe ID for boiler work (it's illegal)
Say: "I need a second opinion. Please leave." If they refuse to leave, call police (non-emergency 101, or 999 if aggressive).
What We Charge (National Plumbing Dispatch)
Our pricing model:
- £95 emergency callout (absorbed if job proceeds)
- Fixed price quoted on-site before starting
- Includes labour, parts, VAT
- Written quote (or text/email if urgent)
- No hidden extras, no minimum hours
Examples:
- Burst pipe under sink: £280 (typical)
- Frozen pipe thawing: £180-320
- Toilet repair: £150-250
- Boiler breakdown: £150 diagnostic + parts (£180-650)
Why fixed pricing? Because we hate "surprise" bills as much as you do. You know the cost before we start. If you approve, that's what you pay.
Final Advice: What Actually Matters
It's 2AM. Pipe burst. You're stressed. Here's what to focus on:
- Competence > Price: Cheapest quote might be cowboy who makes it worse
- Get it in writing: Verbal quotes are worthless in disputes
- Check credentials: Gas Safe for boilers (legally required)
- Trust your gut: If something feels off, it probably is
- Keep receipts: For insurance, for warranty, for tax if rental property
Emergency plumbing costs more than planned work. That's life. But fair emergency pricing is £250-600 for most jobs. If someone quotes £1,200 for a tap replacement? Walk away.
Need Emergency Plumbing Right Now?
National Plumbing Dispatch: 0333 600 0990
£95 emergency callout (absorbed into job cost). Fixed pricing quoted on-site. Gas Safe registered. Written quotes. Fully insured. No hidden extras. No "minimum hours" scams.
We answer 24/7 because sometimes pipes burst at 2AM. Fair pricing because we want you to call us next time too.