Best Plumbers

Should I get a plumber?

Plumbers can be expensive, which can make it tempting to embark on a DIY plumbing project. However, when it comes to pipe problems, toilet repairs and fixing the other plumbing-related machinery of your home, there’s often no substitute for a professional.

Good plumbing ensures hot showers stay hot, toilets flush, and that there are no unpleasant smells caused by clogged pipes. A DIY job may offer a quick fix but create more plumbing issues down the line. You might need to call an emergency plumber later - which is going to be more expensive.

A plumber has the requisite tools and expertise to assess a situation quickly and suggest viable solutions. For example, if you have a leaking tap, a plumber can advise whether you should replace the tap altogether or just an individual part like a valve seat/washer. If you have a clogged drain, they can use a plumbing snake to investigate the cause of the blockage – food, hair or other gunk – and remove it.

Licensed plumbers

Since plumbing is a skilled trade, make sure you only seek out licensed plumbers who’ve completed a certificate or apprenticeship.

More specialised plumbing services may require a tradie to hold additional licenses. For example, gasfitting jobs and those involving hot water units require more than a standard plumbing license. Ensuring a plumber is correctly licensed can help give you peace of mind that you’re getting your dream tradie and not a dud.

How much do plumbers charge per hour?

The hourly rate and overall cost is unique to each plumbing job. It will generally factor in a call-out fee, labour costs, replacement parts/ materials used, and a potential emergency plumbing fee - which can range from $50-200 on top of the actual job.

To know the ballpark figure for plumbing work, getting few quotes online is a good place to start. It’s better than just typing ‘plumbers near me’ into Google, because it factors in the details of your specific job for a more realistic estimate of the costs involved.