Updated 25 September 2026 · 56 figures · 30 sources
Plumbing & heating prices UK 2026
What plumbers charge in 2026: day rates, prices for 15 common jobs, the prep that changes the price, and the regulations to flag. Every figure links to where it came from. Use the calculator, or price a real job in the Grafto app.
Day rate£300–£500
Tap replacement (market)£50–£150/tap
Worked example: tap replacement, 1 tap£77
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Plumbing job prices
| Job | Market band | Basis | Worked example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tap replacement | £50–£150/tap | labour only | £77 1 tap · 1 h |
| Toilet replacement | £150–£250/WC | labour only | £215 1 WC · 3 h |
| Leak find and fix | £150–£400 | total, ex VAT | £179 1 visit · 2 h |
| Radiator install | £150–£250/radiator | labour only | £244 1 radiator · 3 h |
| Boiler service | £80–£120 | total, ex VAT | £95 1 boiler · 2 h |
| Combi boiler swap | £2,150–£3,000 | total, ex VAT | £2,327 1 boiler · 1 days |
| Regular or system to combi | £3,000–£5,700 | total, ex VAT | £3,053 1 install · 1.5 days |
| Back boiler to combi | £3,500–£6,000 | total, ex VAT | £3,684 1 install · 2.5 days |
| System or regular boiler replacement | £1,800–£3,500 | total, ex VAT | £2,459 1 boiler · 1 days |
| Oil boiler replacement | £2,200–£5,500 | total, ex VAT | £4,526 1 boiler · 1 days |
| Unvented cylinder | £1,500–£3,500 | total, ex VAT | £2,260 1 cylinder · 1 days |
| Power flush | £350–£800 | total, ex VAT | £611 10 radiator · 1 days |
| Full central heating | £4,000–£8,000 | total, ex VAT | £6,069 8 radiator · 5 days |
| Bathroom suite fit (no tiling) | £1,500–£3,000 | labour only | £1,815 1 bathroom · 5 days |
| Shower install | mixer (thermostatic): £225–£600 · power shower (pumped): £300–£600 · electric: £150–£450 | labour only | £557 1 shower · 5 h |
Bands are for a typical job at regional multiplier ×1.0 (Midlands, South West, East). London ×1.25, South East ×1.10, North, Wales and Scotland ×0.88. Worked examples use the researched default rates, ex VAT and travel.
Rates
| What | 2026 figure | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Hourly rate | £50–£90 (London and SE £70–£120) | Trade2Base |
| Day rate | £300–£500 | Trade2Base |
| Emergency or out of hours | 1.5–2× the standard rate | Trade2Base |
| Materials markup | 20–40% on trade materials | Trade2Base |
| Scotland and the North | 10–20% below the South East | Trade2Base |
| Rates outside London | £45–£80/h · £200–£300/day (London £70–£120/h · £300–£400/day) | Trade2Base |
| Emergency call-out | £60–£120 for attendance and the first 30 minutes | Trade2Base |
| Supply markup | 25–40% on trade cost | Trade2Base |
| Homeowner averages | about £50/h (£40–£60) · about £350/day · emergency call-out about £110 | Checkatrade |
| Hourly by experience | mid-level £40–£60 · experienced £60–£80 · day £325–£375 | MyBuilder |
| Sanitaryware markup | 25–35% | Trade2Base |
Jobs
| What | 2026 figure | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Tap replacement | £80–£150 labour | Trade2Base |
| Change a tap | £50 labour, about 1 hour; basin mixer about £100 fitted; new supply lines £100–£200 | MyJobQuote |
| Toilet replacement | £150–£250 labour | Trade2Base |
| Toilet installed | £200–£600 (avg £450); close-coupled £200–£400; wall-hung £550–£800; 2–4 h | MyJobQuote |
| Leak repair | £150–£400 | Trade2Base |
| Radiator installation | £150–£250 labour | Trade2Base |
| Radiator, homeowner guide | like-for-like £150–£350 · new radiator on the system £300–£700 · labour £90–£220 · TRV pair £25–£100 | BookaBuilderUK |
| Radiator and leak averages | install a radiator about £165 · fix a leak about £100 | Checkatrade |
| Boiler service | £80–£120 | Trade2Base |
| Full central heating | £4,000–£8,000 | Trade2Base |
| Power flush | £350–£800; 2-bed (6 rads) about £450 · 4-bed (15 rads) about £800 | Checkatrade |
| Power flush by radiators | 8–10 rads £470–£520 · 12–15 rads £550–£665 · avg £550 · magnetic filter £180–£260 fitted | MyJobQuote |
| Shower installs | like-for-like £150–£400 · electric £200–£450 (+£400–£900 if a circuit is needed) · mixer £250–£600 labour | Trade2Base |
| Shower labour by type | electric £150–£300 · mixer or thermostatic £225–£450 · power £300–£600 (London +15–30%) | Fantastic Services |
Cylinders
| What | 2026 figure | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Unvented cylinder install | £1,200–£2,000 | Trade2Base |
| Unvented cylinder, supply and fit | £1,500–£3,500 · labour £400–£700 swap, £700–£1,400 full install · 210 L cylinder £650–£950 | Trade2Base |
| Unvented cylinder, homeowner guide | unit £400–£2,000 · labour £500–£1,500 · installed £900–£3,500 · G3 installer mandatory | Checkatrade |
| Unvented labour only | £800–£1,200; annual service £100–£160 | Trade2Base |
Boilers
| What | 2026 figure | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Like-for-like combi swap | median £2,300 from 2,000 quotes (Jan–Jun 2026); most £2,150–£3,000 | Heatable |
| Premium combi swap | £3,000–£4,500 | Heatable |
| Regular or system to combi conversion | £3,000–£5,700 | Heatable |
| Back boiler conversion | £3,500–£6,000 | Heatable |
| System boiler replacement | £1,800–£3,500 | Heatable |
| Combi by tier, fitted | budget £1,800–£2,500 · mid £2,300–£3,200 · premium £3,000–£4,000 | Selectra |
| Share of the bill | the boiler is only 35–45% of the bill; relocating or changing type adds £500–£1,200 | Selectra |
| Installed by type | combi like-for-like £1,800–£2,800 · system £2,100–£3,200 · conventional £2,000–£3,500 · tank to combi £2,500–£4,000 | BookaBuilderUK |
| Checkatrade averages | combi like-for-like £2,500–£4,000 · system or conventional about £3,000 · 4–6 h for a swap | Checkatrade |
| Boiler install time and labour | average £2,400 · like-for-like 4–6 h (£600–£900 labour) · conversion 1.5–2 days (£900–£1,300) | MyJobQuote |
| Oil boiler installed | £2,200–£5,500, typical £3,300 · 1–4 days | MyJobQuote |
Bathrooms
| What | 2026 figure | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Supply-and-fit bathroom projects | refresh £3,500–£6,000 · mid-range £6,000–£10,000 · premium £10,000–£20,000+ | Trade2Base |
| Bathroom suite installation (no tiling) | £1,500–£3,000 labour | Trade2Base |
| Bathroom labour only | strip and refit £800–£1,500 · en-suite £500–£900 · cloakroom £300–£600 | Trade2Base |
| Refit timings | strip-out 0.5–1 day · tiling 1.5–2.5 days · 4–7 days labour in total | Trade2Base |
| Bathroom replacement costs | full bathroom replacement prices | BookaBuilderUK |
Spec
| What | 2026 figure | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Match the shower to the water system | never fit a power shower to a mains-pressure combi supply | Trade2Base |
| Bath-to-shower conversions | £1,500–£3,500 all-in; tanking adds £150–£400 | Trade2Base |
Plant
| What | 2026 figure | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 8-yard builders skip, national median | £331 | Rent-a-Skip |
Compliance
| What | 2026 figure | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Gas work | Gas Safe registered engineer; boiler installs notified via Gas Safe | Gas Safe Register |
| Unvented cylinders | G3-qualified installer and notification (Part G) | GOV.UK |
| Water fittings | Water Fittings Regulations: use WRAS-listed products | WRAS |
| Flues | Part J: flue terminal positions and combustion air | GOV.UK |
| Boiler efficiency and controls | Part L: controls and efficiency when replacing a boiler | GOV.UK |
| Oil boilers | OFTEC-registered technician | OFTEC |
| Asbestos lagging | old grey or white pipe lagging: stop and test | HSE |
| Scotland | building standards cover unvented systems and heating appliances | Scottish Government |
Prep that changes the price
| Condition | How you spot it | What it adds |
|---|---|---|
| Sludge in the system | Photo: black water from a bleed valve, radiators cold at the bottom | Power flush the system |
| Corroded fittings | Photo: green or white crust, rust on valves and pipes | Replace corroded valves |
| Lead pipe | Photo: dull grey soft pipe, wiped joints | Lead supply pipe: recommend replacement |
| Cast-iron waste | Photo: heavy black soil pipe | Cast-iron waste: extra time to cut out and handle |
| No isolation valves | Photo: no isolators on WC or tap supplies | Fit isolation valves |
| Microbore pipework | Photo: 8–10 mm pipes to radiators | Microbore: limits radiator upgrades and blocks easily — flush it |
| Back boiler | Photo: boiler behind a gas fire | Back boiler: price it as a back-boiler conversion |
| Boiler age from badge | Photo: data badge or model label on the boiler | Check the boiler age on the badge: over 12–15 years, replace rather than repair |
| Low pressure | Photo: pressure gauge reading under 1 bar | Fault-find low pressure |
| Leak damage | Photo: stains or swelling under the sink, bath or WC | Subfloor repair where leak damage is found (£150–£400, only if found) |
| Hard-water scale | Photo: heavy limescale on taps, shower or kettle | Hard water: a scale reducer protects the boiler and taps |
| Possible asbestos lagging | Photo: old grey or white pipe lagging | Possible asbestos lagging: stop and test before disturbing |
How to price a plumbing job
1
Measure it right
Measure every surface, take off doors and windows, and add waste for cuts and pattern.
2
Ask what changes it
Who supplies the tap. These move the price more than anything else.
3
Check it against the market
Compare your labour per unit with the band. Outside it by 20%? Recheck the prep and your rates, or explain the difference to the customer.
Regulations to flag
- UK: Gas work by a Gas Safe registered engineer; boiler installs notified via Gas Safe
- UK: Water Fittings Regulations: WRAS-listed fittings
- UK: Oil boilers: OFTEC-registered technician
- England: Part G: unvented cylinders by a G3-qualified installer, notified to building control
- England: Part J: flue terminal positions and clearances
- England: Part L: new boilers need compliant controls
- Wales: Welsh building regulations: unvented systems and boiler installs must be notified
- Scotland: Scottish building standards cover unvented systems and heating appliances: certify or get a warrant
Questions
How much does a plumber charge per day in the UK in 2026?
Day rate: £300–£500 (Trade2Base). London and the South East run higher; the North, Wales and Scotland run lower.
How much does tap replacement cost in 2026?
The researched UK market band is £50–£150/tap (labour only), before regional adjustment. Grafto's worked example comes to about £77 for the trade-choice option.
How much does toilet replacement cost in 2026?
The researched UK market band is £150–£250/WC (labour only), before regional adjustment. Grafto's worked example comes to about £215 for the trade-choice option.
How much does leak find and fix cost in 2026?
The researched UK market band is £150–£400 (total, ex VAT), before regional adjustment. Grafto's worked example comes to about £179 for the trade-choice option.
How much does radiator install cost in 2026?
The researched UK market band is £150–£250/radiator (labour only), before regional adjustment. Grafto's worked example comes to about £244 for the trade-choice option.
How do I price a plumbing job?
Measure it, answer the questions that change the price (substrate, size, access), list the prep you can see, then work out labour days from realistic output, materials with waste, travel and a contingency. Grafto does this in under a minute and checks the result against the market band.
Sources
- Plumber Pricing Guide UK (2026) — Trade2Base, checked 2026-09-25
- Plumbing pricing guide UK — hourly rates and job costs (2026) — Trade2Base, checked 2026-09-25
- Bathroom Fitting Pricing Guide UK (2026) — Trade2Base, checked 2026-09-25
- Unvented hot water cylinder costs UK (2026) — Trade2Base, checked 2026-09-25
- Shower installation costs UK — what to charge (2026) — Trade2Base, checked 2026-09-25
- New boiler installation costs UK 2026: prices by type — Heatable, checked 2026-09-25
- New boiler cost — Selectra, checked 2026-09-25
- Boiler replacement cost 2026 — BookaBuilderUK, checked 2026-09-25
- Plumber costs in 2026 — Checkatrade, checked 2026-09-25
- Plumber hourly rates in 2026 — MyBuilder, checked 2026-09-25
- New boiler costs in 2026 — Checkatrade, checked 2026-09-25
- Boiler installation cost guide (UK prices 2026) — MyJobQuote, checked 2026-09-25
- Power flush cost in 2026 — Checkatrade, checked 2026-09-25
- Power flush cost guide (UK prices 2026) — MyJobQuote, checked 2026-09-25
- Radiator installation cost UK: 2026 price guide — BookaBuilderUK, checked 2026-09-25
- Tap replacement cost guide 2026 — MyJobQuote, checked 2026-09-25
- New toilet cost: toilet installation — MyJobQuote, checked 2026-09-25
- How much does an unvented hot water cylinder cost in 2026? — Checkatrade, checked 2026-09-25
- Shower installation cost in 2026: UK price guide — Fantastic Services, checked 2026-09-25
- Cost to replace a bathroom in the UK 2026 — BookaBuilderUK, checked 2026-09-25
- Gas Safe Register — Gas Safe Register, checked 2026-09-25
- Water Regulations Advisory Scheme — WRAS, checked 2026-09-25
- Approved Document G: sanitation, hot water safety and water efficiency — GOV.UK, checked 2026-09-25
- Approved Document J: combustion appliances and fuel storage — GOV.UK, checked 2026-09-25
- Approved Document L: conservation of fuel and power — GOV.UK, checked 2026-09-25
- OFTEC: oil and renewable heating registration — OFTEC, checked 2026-09-25
- Asbestos: what you need to know — HSE, checked 2026-09-25
- Building standards — Scottish Government, checked 2026-09-25
- Skip hire price index 2026 — Rent-a-Skip, checked 2026-09-25
- Oil boiler installation cost guide (UK prices 2026) — MyJobQuote, checked 2026-09-25