Korky BeehiveMAX 96
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See fit and limitsHow much does a plumber cost?
Hourly rates, call fees and how the bill adds up, from named 2026 data.
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Quick answer
Plumbers charge $50 to $200 an hour (Thumbtack) plus a $100 to $250 call fee (Angi). A typical repair runs $182 to $501. Simple clogs you can often fix yourself.
Fix it first: Korky BeehiveMAX$15.98 at AmazonPrice as of Oct 23, 2026, 5:30 AM EDT
Check it on AmazonThree tools that handle common service calls
Each one does a different job, so they aren’t scored against each other. All three were new and in stock on Amazon on Oct 23, 2026.
FlexiSnake Drain Weasel
$19.99 at Amazon
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Korky 100BP flapper
$6.84 at Amazon
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See fit and limitsProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.com at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
What plumbers charge per hour
Two published sources, two ways of slicing it: by the plumber’s license level, and by the kind of job.
Angi’s split by license level is the clearest way to read a rate. An apprentice works under a licensed plumber, a journeyperson is licensed to do the work, and a master can also design systems and run the business. The higher the license, the higher the rate, and the wider the range.
Angi also says residential plumbing companies charge around $80 an hour and commercial companies closer to $100, and that the difference is the business model, not the plumber’s skill.
| Job type | Low | Average | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pipe repairs | $50/hr | $100/hr | $195/hr |
| Drain repairs | $50/hr | $100/hr | $176/hr |
| Pipe installation or replacement | $50/hr | $90/hr | $171/hr |
| Toilet repair | $50/hr | $95/hr | $175/hr |
| Emergency plumbing | $50/hr | $85/hr | $200/hr |
National hourly rates by job, from Thumbtack’s plumber cost guide, last updated Apr 9, 2026. Thumbtack says rates are higher in cities with a higher cost of living.
Read the averages, not the extremes. The averages cluster between $85 and $100 an hour across every job type Thumbtack lists. The $200 ceiling is what you see in expensive metros and at night.
For scale, the Bureau of Labor Statistics puts the national mean wage for plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters at $34.70 an hour (May 2025). The gap between that and the rate you’re billed is the truck, the tools, insurance, licensing, the office and the drive time between calls.
Service call and trip fees
The fee to come out and look, before any work starts. It’s often the biggest surprise on a small job.
| Problem | Low | Average | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clogged drain | $79 | $215 | $250 |
| Leaky pipes | $64 | $217 | $250 |
| Burst pipes | $64 | $234 | $275 |
| Gurgling sounds | $75 | $253 | $259 |
| Unpleasant odor | $69 | $231 | $250 |
| Emergency plumbing | $79 | $204 | $250 |
National service call fees by problem, from Thumbtack’s plumber cost guide, last updated Apr 9, 2026.
Thumbtack puts national service call fees at $64 to $275. Angi gives $100 to $250 in its fee table and $150 to $250 in its summary, so expect about $150 to $250 from most companies.
Thumbtack also notes that some plumbers offer free service calls or waive the fee if you hire them for the job. Ask that question on the phone, before the truck comes.
Distance is separate. Angi says companies generally add $50 to $300 when you live more than 10 miles outside their work zone. My call: ask whether your address is inside their normal area when you book.
Check a quote before you say yes
Pick the time, the rate, the call fee and when. It adds them up and compares the total to Angi’s typical repair range.
| Example | Time and rate | Call fee | When | Before parts |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Simple drain clog | 1 h at $100 | $150 | Day | $250 |
| Running toilet | 30 min at $95 | $150 | Day | About $198 |
| Small leak under a sink | 1½ h at $100 | $150 | Day | $300 |
| Same leak on a Saturday | 1½ h at $100 | $150 | 1.5× | $450 |
| Burst pipe at 2 a.m. | 2 h at $150 | $250 | 3× | $1,650 |
Those multipliers come from Angi, which says emergency plumbers cost 1.5 to 3 times the normal rate. Some companies add a flat emergency fee instead, which Angi puts at $300 to $400; our emergency plumber cost guide covers that side.
My call: if a quote for a one-fixture repair comes in well above $500 with no parts, ask what’s in it. It may be fair, but you should know whether it’s time, a minimum charge or a markup.
Hourly, flat rate or minimum charge?
Angi says most plumbers bill by the hour, with flat rates common for routine jobs. Here’s how each works on your bill.
| How they bill | What you pay | Good for you when | Watch for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hourly (time and materials) | Time × rate, plus parts | The job is short and well defined | Slow work and long parts runs |
| Flat rate | One price per job, $100 to $400 for routine tasks (Angi) | The job has surprises the plumber absorbs | A flat price for a 10-minute fix |
| Service call or trip fee | $100 to $250 (Angi) to come out | It’s credited to the job | It’s charged on top of a flat rate |
| Minimum charge | A set minimum some companies bill; ask on the phone | Bundle small jobs into one visit | Paying a full minimum for a 15-minute fix |
Neither method is a trick. Flat rate puts the risk on the plumber: if a nut is seized or a valve won’t close, the price doesn’t move. Hourly puts it on you.
My call: for a job you could describe in one sentence, ask for a flat price. For a mystery, like a leak you can’t find, hourly with a cap is fairer to both sides.
Charges that show up besides labor
From Angi’s fee table. These are the lines that turn a $200 visit into a $500 one.
| Charge | Range (Angi) | When it applies |
|---|---|---|
| Service call fee | $100–$250 | Almost every visit |
| Emergency fee | $300–$400 | Nights, weekends, holidays |
| Permit fee | $75–$100 | Water heaters, new lines, many replacements |
| Hauling fee | $50–$200 | Old toilet, water heater or fixture removal |
| Trip fee | $50–$300 | More than 10 miles outside their area |
| Parts and fixtures | By the job | Anything new that goes in |
Thumbtack makes a point worth repeating: you can save by having materials on hand, as long as the plumber agrees first. A toilet you bought is a toilet they don’t mark up, but it’s also a toilet they won’t warranty.
Thumbtack also warns that if a plumber has to open a wall, the patch is often a separate job for a handyman or drywall contractor.
What common jobs cost, per Angi
Angi’s 2026 project ranges, labor and typical parts together. Use them to sanity-check a total, not an hourly rate.
| Job | Typical range (Angi) | Our guide |
|---|---|---|
| Clearing clogs or drain snaking | $95–$500 | Main drain cost |
| Toilet repair | $100–$300 | Running toilet cost |
| Toilet installation | $300–$800 | Toilet replacement cost |
| Faucet and fixture replacement | $150–$600 | Faucet install cost |
| Garbage disposal repair | $150–$300 | Disposal replacement cost |
| Leaking pipes | $175–$550 | Burst pipe cost |
| Repairing burst pipes | $1,000–$4,000 | Burst pipe cost |
| Water heater repair | $150–$750 | Water heater repair cost |
| Water heater installation | $800–$2,000 | Water heater replacement cost |
| Sump pump repair | $300–$1,000 | Sump pump cost |
| Water softener installation | $200–$500 | Softener install cost |
| Main line water leak repair | $600–$4,500 | Get a written bid |
| Rerouting plumbing | $700–$1,500 | Get a written bid |
Angi bases its 2026 national average of $341 on 94,386 verified projects, with most between $182 and $501 and a high end near $990. Those totals include the time, the call and typical parts for a single job.
The ranges are wide because the same job name hides very different work. “Repairing burst pipes” at $1,000 to $4,000 includes opening walls; a pinhole you can reach under a sink is a much smaller bill. Our job guides break each one down.
When the price climbs: getting to the pipe
Angi names access as a major cost driver. The work behind a wall or under a floor is often more than the plumbing itself.
| Situation | What adds cost | Who pays for the patch |
|---|---|---|
| Pipe behind finished drywall | Cutting and later replacing drywall | Often a separate drywall or handyman job |
| Pipe under tile or flooring | Removing and replacing flooring | Often a flooring contractor |
| Main shutoff valve buried or outside | Digging or trenching to reach it | Usually the plumber’s bill |
| Burst pipe that soaked a ceiling | Removing and replacing wet drywall | Often a restoration company |
| Rerouting a line | Cutting drywall, sometimes framing | Plumber plus a carpenter |
Angi says your plumber may recommend a separate contractor for structural repairs after access work, and Thumbtack makes the same point about patching walls. Ask whether the quote includes closing the wall back up. Most don’t.
My call: if you can, give the plumber a clear path. Empty the sink cabinet, move what’s in front of the water heater, and point out access panels. Time spent clearing space is time on the hourly clock.
What pipe and fixtures add to the bill
Parts are on top of labor. Angi’s ranges show why the material choice matters on bigger jobs.
| Pipe | Material cost per foot (Angi) |
|---|---|
| Copper | $4–$12 |
| PEX | $1.50–$4 |
| CPVC | $1.50–$3.25 |
| Fixture | Range (Angi) |
|---|---|
| Toilet | $200–$1,200 |
| Bathroom sink | $200–$1,100 |
| Tub | $1,500–$10,000 |
| Shower | $3,000–$12,000 |
On a repair, materials are usually a small part of the bill: a few feet of pipe and a couple of fittings. On a repipe or a remodel, the pipe type changes the total by thousands. Our repipe cost guide compares PEX and copper for a whole house.
My call: if you supply a fixture, buy it before you book. A plumber waiting on a delivery is billing, or rescheduling.
Apprentice, journeyperson or master: who you’re paying for
The title on the truck changes the rate. Here’s what each level means in general terms; licensing rules vary by state.
| Level | What it generally means | Hourly (Angi) |
|---|---|---|
| Apprentice | Learning the trade under a licensed plumber | $45–$90 |
| Journeyperson | Licensed to do plumbing work on their own | $60–$110 |
| Master | Licensed to design systems and often to run a company or pull permits | $80–$200 |
Angi says most basic tasks only need a licensed plumber, and you can save by having an apprentice or journeyperson do the work. A crew often pairs them: a master’s company, a journeyperson on the job, an apprentice helping.
I’m a licensed journeyman in Georgia, so I see this from the truck side. My call: you rarely need a master’s hourly rate to replace a toilet or clear a drain. You do want a licensed company, insurance and a permit when the job calls for one. Check your state licensing board’s lookup before you hire.
Ask these before the truck comes
Each one is drawn from Angi’s and Thumbtack’s advice. The answers make two quotes comparable.
| Ask | Why |
|---|---|
| Is there a service call fee, and is it credited if I hire you? | Thumbtack: some waive it when hired |
| Do you bill hourly or flat for this job? | Angi: flat rates are common for routine tasks |
| Is my address inside your normal service area? | Angi: trip fees of $50 to $300 beyond 10 miles |
| What does the estimate include, in writing? | Angi: make sure you understand what’s included |
| Will this need a permit, and is the fee in the price? | Angi lists permit fees of $75 to $100 |
| Does the price include haul-away of the old fixture? | Angi lists hauling fees of $50 to $200 |
| Can I send photos first? | Thumbtack: photos get a more accurate quote |
| Is the after-hours rate different, and by how much? | Angi: 1.5 to 3 times for emergencies |
Tell them everything up front, as Thumbtack advises: what’s wrong, whether it’s happened before, and anything unusual like a septic tank or a tankless water heater. A plumber who knows that brings the right parts, and one trip costs less than two.
Red flags on a plumbing quote
My call on the signs that a quote deserves a second opinion.
| Red flag | What to do |
|---|---|
| A total with no breakdown of time, fees and parts | Ask for the lines |
| Pressure to decide before they leave | Ask for it in writing and call another company |
| A full replacement pitched for a part-level problem | Ask what the repair would cost instead |
| Cash only, no invoice | Walk away; there’s no record or warranty |
| No license number on the truck, card or invoice | Look them up on your state board |
| A permit job with no permit in the price | Ask who pulls it and what it costs |
None of these means the plumber is dishonest. They mean you don’t have enough on paper to compare. A good company is happy to break a price down.
My call: when a second quote lands close to the first, both are probably fair. When it’s half, ask what the first one included that the second one left out.
Three calls you can often skip
Thumbtack’s average drain call fee alone is $215. These three tools handle the simplest version of three common calls.
| Tool | Key specs | Call it can replace | Pick it if | Skip it if |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Korky BeehiveMAX 96 plunger | Beehive head made for old and new high-efficiency bowls, telescoping T-handle, made in USA (Korky) | Clogged toilet | The toilet is slow or stopped and nothing hard went down | A toy or phone went down, or several drains back up |
| FlexiSnake Drain Weasel kit | Reusable handle, five 18 in. micro-hook wands, made in USA (FlexiSnake) | Hair clog in a tub, shower or bathroom sink | The clog is hair at or just below the stopper | The clog is past the trap or in a kitchen line |
| Korky 100BP universal flapper | 2 in. flapper, adjusts for 1.28, 1.6, 3.5 and 5 gpf tanks, made in USA (Korky) | Running toilet | The tank refills on its own and the flapper is old or warped | The toilet has a 3 in. flush valve or a canister flush |
Each of these is the first thing a plumber would try on that call. If it doesn’t work, you’ve lost a few minutes and the price of the tool, and you can tell the plumber what you already ruled out.
For the full how-to on each: our toilet plunger guide, shower hair snake guide and running toilet cost guide.
Do it yourself
One slow drain, a clogged toilet with nothing solid in it, a running toilet with a 2 in. flapper.
Do it yourself, carefully
Swapping a faucet supply line or a toilet fill valve with the water shut off.
Call, but it can wait
A drip under a sink with a bucket under it, a slow leak at a shutoff valve.
Call now
A burst pipe, water through a ceiling, sewage coming up a drain, or any gas smell.
Three checks before you call
My call. Five minutes here can shorten the visit or tell you it can wait until business hours.
| Check | What it tells you | Why it saves money |
|---|---|---|
| Find and test your main shutoff | Whether you can stop a leak yourself | A leak you can stop can often wait for day rates |
| Run water in other fixtures | One slow drain, or the whole house | One fixture is a short call; a main line is a bigger one |
| Look for the obvious part | A flapper, a supply line, a hair clog at the stopper | You can describe it on the phone, and they bring the part |
If several drains back up at once, or water comes up in a tub when a toilet flushes, it’s the main line. That’s a cable machine job, and our main drain cost guide covers what it runs.
If you can’t shut the water off and it’s coming through a ceiling, call now. The after-hours rate is smaller than the water damage.
Costs that come after the plumber leaves
Angi notes most plumbing jobs end without recurring costs, with a few exceptions worth budgeting for.
| Item | Cost (Angi) | How often |
|---|---|---|
| Septic pumping and cleaning | $300–$600, about $1,000 for larger tanks | As your tank needs it |
| Septic inspection | About $300 on average | Every 3 to 5 years |
| High-end fixtures | Higher water and electric use | Every month |
Angi’s point on fixtures is fair: a jetted tub or a waterfall shower costs more to buy and more to run. If a quote includes a fixture upgrade, ask what it does to the water bill as well as the install price.
Ways to pay less without cutting corners
From Angi’s and Thumbtack’s advice, plus my call on each.
| Move | Why it works | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Ask if the call fee is waived when you hire | Some plumbers fold it into the job | Thumbtack |
| Send photos when you ask for a quote | A better first price, fewer surprises | Thumbtack |
| Bundle small jobs into one visit | One call fee and one minimum, not three | My call |
| Have the fixture on hand, with the plumber’s OK | No parts markup | Thumbtack |
| Book business hours if it can wait | Avoids the 1.5 to 3× emergency rate | Angi |
| Get a written estimate that lists what’s included | Two quotes become comparable | Angi |
My call: the plumber who costs you least isn’t the one with the lowest hourly rate. It’s the one who fixes it in one visit. A licensed plumber with the right part on the truck often beats a lower rate and a second trip.
For a price on a specific job, our plumbing cost estimator scales national prices to your state, and our repair cost index lists job-by-job guides.
Questions people ask
How much do plumbers charge per hour?
Thumbtack puts national rates at $50 to $200 an hour, with averages of $85 to $100 depending on the job. Angi gives $45 to $200, by license level.
What is the average call out charge for a plumber?
Thumbtack’s national service call fees run $64 to $275, averaging about $204 to $253 by problem. Angi gives $100 to $250.
How much is a plumber for one hour?
At Thumbtack’s typical $100 an hour plus a $150 call fee, about $250 before parts, in business hours.
Is it cheaper to pay a plumber hourly or a flat rate?
Hourly is often cheaper for a short, simple job. Flat rate protects you when a job could run long. Angi says flat rates are common for routine tasks like unclogging a drain.
How much does a master plumber charge per hour?
Angi gives $80 to $200 an hour for a master plumber, against $60 to $110 for a journeyperson and $45 to $90 for an apprentice.
How much do plumbers charge on weekends?
Angi says emergency plumbers cost 1.5 to 3 times the normal rate, and lists emergency fees of $300 to $400.
What is the average cost to unclog a drain?
Thumbtack’s national average is $331, with smaller jobs from $191 and larger ones to $672.
Is it worth calling a plumber?
For a burst pipe, sewage, a gas smell or anything inside a wall, yes. For a simple clog or a running toilet, try a plunger, a hair tool or a new flapper first.
Why are plumbers so expensive?
The hourly rate pays for more than the plumber’s wage, which BLS puts at a $34.70 mean. It also covers the truck, tools, insurance, licensing and travel between calls.
Do plumbers charge for estimates?
Most charge a service call fee to come out. Thumbtack notes some offer free service calls or waive the fee if you hire them.
How much does it cost to plumb a 1,500 sq ft house?
That’s new-construction work priced by the job, not the hour. Angi puts whole-house plumbing at $10,000 to $20,000; get written bids.
Do plumbers charge for travel time?
Many charge a service call fee that covers the trip. Angi says companies generally add $50 to $300 for addresses more than 10 miles outside their work zone.
Are commercial plumbers more expensive than residential?
Angi puts residential companies around $80 an hour and commercial companies closer to $100, and says the difference is the business model, not skill.
How much does a plumbing permit cost?
Angi lists permit fees of $75 to $100. Ask whether the permit is in the quote and who pulls it.
Can I buy my own parts to save money?
Thumbtack says it can save money if you clear it with the plumber first. Expect the plumber not to warranty a part you supplied.
How we checked these numbers
Why trust me
I’m Isaac Daniels, a licensed journeyman plumber in Georgia (license #JP507711), and I’ve used all three tools on this page. The rates come from Angi’s and Thumbtack’s published cost guides and the Bureau of Labor Statistics, each named with its update date. Where I add advice of my own, it’s labeled as my call.
How I pick
- Rates and fees only from named, dated sources: Angi (updated Oct 14, 2026), Thumbtack (updated Apr 9, 2026) and BLS (May 2025).
- When sources disagree, both numbers are shown.
- The three tools do different jobs, so they’re a kit, not scored against each other. Each was new and in stock on Amazon, checked through Amazon’s product data on Oct 23, 2026.
- No plumbing services are offered here; this page is for comparing quotes.
Sources
- Angi, “How Much Does Plumbing Repair Cost? [2026 Data],” updated Oct 14, 2026: hourly rates by license level, service call, flat, emergency, permit, hauling and trip fees, project ranges. Read Oct 23, 2026.
- Thumbtack, “How much does a plumber charge per hour?”, last updated Apr 9, 2026: hourly rates by job type, service call fees by problem, drain and pipe averages. Read Oct 23, 2026.
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, 47-2152 plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters, national hourly mean. Read Oct 23, 2026.
- Brand-written Amazon listing text and item data for B0851T29PF (Korky 96), B01NB0729G (FlexiSnake DWPSK5A) and B00E5ICW0E (Korky 100BP), read through Amazon’s product data, Oct 23, 2026.
- Google results for “how much does a plumber cost”: seen Oct 23, 2026. Search volumes from Semrush, Oct 23, 2026.