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How much does it cost? < Previous Issue 1 ... Issue 8

We contacted Which? Local-recommended traders to find out how Issue 9 Issue 10 Issue 11

much standard jobs should cost and how quickly they should be Issue 12 Issue 13 Issue 14
completed. Armed with this information, you’ll feel confident about
Next >
hiring traders and be better equipped to spot when things aren't
right.

More information about this feature

Issue 12 - Plumbers: how much should you pay?

20 July 2012

We surveyed recommended plumbers to find out how much you should spend on 12 common jobs and how
long they should take to complete.
We asked Which? Local recommended plumbers to complete a survey about the cost and completion time for 12
standard plumbing jobs.

Armed with this information, you'll know what questions to ask, roughly what price you can expect to pay and how
long jobs should take when hiring a plumber.

Plumbing prices and completion times

All of our prices include labour and materials but exclude VAT.

Job Details Typical Price Typical time

price range to complete
quoted job

Fit a new pedestal basin Remove and dispose of old basin. Install a new basin in the same position, £100 £80- 2–4 hours
assuming that no new pipework is needed. Customer supplying own basin. £140

Fit a new toilet Remove and dispose of old toilet. Install a new toilet in the same position, £115 £80- 2–4 hours
assuming that no new pipework is needed. Customer supplying own toilet. £150

Fit a new bath Remove and dispose of old bath. Install a new bath in the same position. £185 £150- 3–6 hours
Customer supplying own bath. £249

Replace kitchen mixer tap Remove old tap. Supply and fit a standard chrome mixer tap. £120 £75- 1–2 hours
£150

Replace faulty ball valve - £63 £55- 1 hour

in toilet cistern £75

Fix leaky kitchen tap To fix a standard mixer tap that is dripping constantly. £50 £45- 1 hour
£60

Install outside tap Exterior wall behind kitchen sink. £95 £80- 1–2 hours
£120

Fix burst water pipe Assuming pipes are easily accessible and call-out to an emergency. Includes call- £90 £70- 1–2 hours
out fee, labour and materials. £120

Fix/unblock toilet Includes call-out fee, labour and materials. £80 £60- 1–2 hours
£90

Power flush standard gas Three-bed semi with 10 radiators. Include labour and all chemicals and £370 £350- 1 day
central heating system equipment needed. £450

Replace a standard cold In an average three-bed semi-detached house. Assuming replacing like with like. £250 £200- 0.5–1 day
water tank Includes cost of labour and materials. £350

Replace a standard hot In an average three-bed semi-detached house. Assuming replacing like with like. £460 £395- 0.5–1 day
water tank Includes cost of labour and materials. £550

Survey conducted in July 2012

Plumbing jobs: trader tips

In addition to the pricing and completion time information, our recommended plumbers also shared some
helpful advice.
Job: fit a new bath
It's possible that tiles around the bath could be damaged when the old Research methodolgy
bath is removed. If tiling needs to be repaired or replaced then this job In July 2012, we sent a survey to all Which?
could take longer and cost more. Local traders in the Plumbers category with a
rating of three stars or more and an email
Job: fix burst water pipe address.

If you are unlucky enough to experience this problem, keep your fingers
crossed that your pipes burst during working hours. Some plumbers
don't offer a 24-hour service. Others charge more (often double) to visit
outside of normal working hours.
151 plumbers responded to the survey. Using
their experience and expertise, they
answered questions about the cost of popular
plumbing jobs, and how long they should take
to complete.

Job: powerflush standard gas central heating system Read more about the methodology

Some unscrupulous traders will have you believe that a power flush cures
everything! It's not always the answer. Power flushing is good for
removing sludge that has built up throughout the central heating system. But, if there's just one blockage, the
trader should be able to remove it quickly and easily.

The time taken to perform a power flush depends on how dirty the system is. But a typical power flush should take
around one day. If a trader says they can do it in an hour or two, be wary.

Why not...
 Find a recommended plumber in your area
 Read our guide to buying the best boiler

Found 14 How much does it cost? items in: Plumbers

< 1 2 >

How much does it cost?, Issue 14 - Boilers and heating: how much should you pay?
We surveyed recommended boiler and central heating engineers to find out how much you
should spend on repairs and maintenance. Read more »
In Central heating, boilers & gas | Plumbers | House & home

How much does it cost?, Issue 13 - Roofers: how much should you pay?
We surveyed recommended roofers to find out how much you should spend on 12 common jobs
and how long they should take to complete. Read more »
In Roofers

How much does it cost?, Issue 12 - Plumbers: how much should you pay?
We surveyed recommended plumbers to find out how much you should spend on 12 common
jobs and how long they should take to complete. Read more »
In Plumbers | House & home

How much does it cost?, Issue 11 - Domestic appliance repairs: how much should you pay?
We surveyed appliance repair engineers to find out how much you should spend on 12 common
jobs and how long they should take. Read more »
In Domestic appliances | House & home

How much does it cost?, Issue 10 - Computer repairs: how much should you pay?
 We surveyed recommended computer repair professionals to find out how much you should
spend on PC repairs. Read more »
In Computer shops | Technology

How much does it cost?, Issue 9 - Home maintenance and handyman jobs: how much
should you pay?
We surveyed recommended handymen to find out how much you should spend on 12 common
jobs. Read more »
In Maintenance & handy man | House & home | Painters & decorators

How much does it cost?, Issue 8 - Gardeners and landscape designers: how much should
you pay?
We surveyed recommended gardeners and landscape designers to find out how much you
should spend on 12 common jobs. Read more »
In Gardeners & landscaping | Garden centres | Garden

How much does it cost?, Issue 7 - Electricians: how much should you pay?
We surveyed recommended electricians to find out how much you should spend on 15 common
jobs and how long they should take to complete. Read more »
In Electricians | House & home

How much does it cost?, Issue 6 - Plasterers: how much should you pay?
We surveyed recommended plasterers to find out how much you should spend on 12 common
jobs and how long they should take to complete. Read more »
In Plasterers | House & home

How much does it cost?, Issue 5 - Painters and decorators: how much should you pay?
We surveyed recommended painters and decorators to find out how much you should spend on
10 common jobs and how long they should take to complete. Read more »
In Painters & decorators | Maintenance & handy man | House & home

< 1 2 >

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