How Much Does a Plumber Charge in Melbourne?
How Much Does a Plumber Charge in Melbourne? 2025 Melbourne Plumbing Cost Guide
Whether you’re dealing with a plumbing emergency or planning a renovation, it’s important to know what to expect when it comes to plumbing costs in Melbourne. Understanding typical rates and factors that influence plumbing charges can help you plan your budget more effectively and make informed decisions about hiring the right professional for the job.
What Influences the Cost of Plumbing Services in Melbourne?
Several factors determine how much you’ll pay for plumbing services in Melbourne, including:
- Type of Service Required: Basic repairs, installations, and emergency callouts each come with different price points.
- Hourly Rate vs. Fixed Price: Some plumbers charge an hourly rate, while others offer fixed-price packages for specific services. We previously explored the different types of charges in this blog here.
- Time of Day and Urgency: Emergency and after-hours services often come at a premium, especially on weekends and public holidays. This is due to having to pay team members higher rates and minimum hours, as well as having to potentially pay for a supplier to open up their store in certain scenarios.
- Complexity of the Job: Complex projects requiring specialised skills or equipment often incur higher costs.
Average Plumbing Costs in Melbourne for 2025
Here’s a quick guide to what you might expect to pay for various plumbing services in Melbourne this year. Prices can vary, but these estimates provide a general idea:
| Service Type | Average Hourly Cost (AUD) |
| Basic Callout Fee (Non-Emergency) including first 30mins – 1 hour on site | $180 – $250 |
| Emergency Callout (including first 30mins – 1 hour) | $250 – $400 |
| Blocked Drains | $180 – $400 |
| Toilet Repairs | $180 – $700 |
| Hot Water System Installation (Gas, electric, heat pump) | $2,000 – $5,000 |
| Leaking Tap Repair | $180 – $300 |
| Burst Pipe Repair | $200 – $3,000 |
| Gas Line Installation | $500 – $3,000 |
| Roof and Gutter Repairs | $450 – $2,000 |
Note: These prices are averages, and actual costs can vary depending on the plumber, specific job requirements, and other factors.
Understanding Hourly vs. Fixed-Price Plumbers
Some plumbers offer an hourly rate, which might be ideal for smaller, straightforward jobs, while others provide fixed-price quotes for more complex tasks. Here’s a quick pros and cons guide to each:
Hourly Rates
- Pros: Flexible, potentially more cost-effective for quick repairs.
- Cons: Costs can escalate if the job takes longer than expected.
Fixed Prices
- Pros: Transparent pricing, no surprises.
- Cons: Often higher for complex jobs as plumbers account for unforeseen complications.
Why do plumbers charge a call out fee?
We get asked the question on a daily basis ‘Do you charge a call out fee?’ and our answer is always ‘Yes’. Our call out fee also includes the first 30 mins of work onsite. We try and educate these callers on why we charge a fee, and that those plumbers who say there is no fee aren’t volunteers; they will charge you for their time spent there even if they say no call out fee.
How? They use that time to get their foot in your door, sell their overpriced wares and quote your works including their pre-calculated overheads for visiting you ‘cost free’.
Plumbers are not visiting their clients for free; they have bills to pay, fuel to buy, overheads to cover etc. They WILL be charging you for that time spent getting to your home, and diagnosing your plumbing problem. They just choose to market it as $0*, rather than be transparent with their pricing.
How Much Does a Plumber Cost in Melbourne?
The average cost of a plumber in Melbourne in 2025 is between $180 – $200 for the first 30 minutes on site. This fee is often called a callout fee or investigation fee and should include the associated costs of a callout, such as travel time, insurances, administration etc as well as the first 30 minutes of plumbing work. Plumbing companies that say they have a $0* callout fee will often not conduct any works until a new fee is agreed upon; this is a misleading sales tactic that is frowned upon amongst transparent and honest plumbing professionals.
Give the team at McCarthy Plumbing Group a call now on 9931 0905 for a transparent plumbing quote.
Areas we service include –