Plumber call-out charges explained

When you phone a plumber, one of the first things you want to know is what the visit will cost before any work is done. Call-out charges vary a lot between firms and the wording on websites is not always clear. This guide explains how call-out charging generally works, how Pro Plumbers does it, and what you can do to keep a visit short.

How call-out charging works in general

Most plumbers charge something for coming out, because travel and the first part of any visit take time whether the fix is quick or not. Some firms charge a fixed call-out fee and then bill labour on top. Others charge a minimum amount that includes a period of time on site. Some charge differently in the evening or at weekends. The important thing is to know which model a firm uses before they arrive, so there are no surprises.

How we charge

Our approach is simple. Minimum charge £90 + VAT, including the first hour on site. Larger jobs get a fixed, no-obligation price.

That means a small job, such as fixing a dripping tap, replacing a faulty valve or freeing a blocked sink, is covered by the minimum charge if it is done within the first hour. If a job looks likely to need longer than the first hour, we tell you before going further, and for bigger work you get a fixed price first. You are free to accept that price or not.

What +VAT means

Where a price says "+ VAT", VAT is added on top of the figure shown. The figure is not the total you pay. If you are unsure what the final amount will be, ask before the work goes ahead.

Small jobs and larger jobs in practice

• Usually small: a leaking tap or trap, a toilet that will not stop running, a stiff stopcock, a single faulty radiator valve, a blocked sink or basin.
• Usually larger: replacing a run of pipework, fitting a new bathroom suite, installing a boiler or cylinder, a power flush, or a fault that needs parts ordering and a return visit.

Some jobs sit in between, and it is not always obvious from a description over the phone. That is why the engineer explains what they find before going further.

Evenings, weekends and service plans

We are open Monday to Friday 7am to 10pm and Saturday to Sunday 9am to 8pm. The Gold plan includes 24-hour emergency call-outs; see the plans page for details.

Our boiler service plans add extra call-out cover. The Silver plan includes priority call-outs, 10% off breakdown labour and 10% off parts. The Gold plan includes everything in Silver plus 24-hour emergency call-outs. Details of all three plans are on the boiler service plans page, and our guide to boiler service costs compares the plans with paying per visit.

If you are unsure whether your problem counts as urgent, our article is no heating or hot water an emergency? helps you decide. For water escaping now, see what to do when a pipe bursts and our emergency plumbing page.

Questions to ask any plumber before they come

• Is there a call-out fee, a minimum charge or both?
• How much time on site does that include?
• How is time beyond that charged?
• Are prices shown with or without VAT?
• Will you tell me before doing anything that goes beyond the first visit?
• For larger jobs, will I get a fixed price in writing?
• If parts are needed, are they extra and will you tell me first?

What helps keep a visit short

A lot of time on a small job goes on finding things and getting to them. A little preparation can make a real difference:

• Send photos. A photo of the leak, the boiler display or the part that has failed helps us bring the right parts.
• Know where your stopcock is. If water needs turning off, finding the stopcock quickly saves time. Our guide on finding and using your stopcock explains where to look.
• Clear access. Empty the cupboard under the sink, move items away from the boiler and make sure the engineer can reach the problem.
• Describe what happened. When did it start, has anything changed recently, and does it happen all the time or only sometimes?
• Arrange parking if you can. Somewhere close to the door makes carrying tools and parts quicker.

Getting a written price for bigger work

For larger jobs, ask for the price in writing and read what it includes before you agree. A clear quote names the work, the main parts and anything excluded, such as making good plaster or tiling after pipes are moved. If something changes once work starts, for example hidden damage under a floor, a good plumber stops and explains before carrying on. That way you stay in control of the cost.

When it is a boiler, not a tap

Boiler faults follow the same charging, with the repair priced once the fault is found. If the boiler is old and failing often, our guide to what affects the cost of a new boiler explains how replacement quotes are built. For everyday leaks and faults, our plumbing repairs page covers what we deal with.

To book a visit, call 01732 444555 or send us the details.