Most people don't mind paying a fair price for plumbing. What they mind is a bill that doesn't match what they expected. Nearly every "hidden cost" comes down to something that wasn't spelled out before the work started. Here are the usual ones, and how to avoid being caught out.
Call-out fees
Some plumbers charge just to turn up, and the rules vary. Always ask when a call-out fee applies before you book.
Here's how it works with us. Drainpro Plumbers charges a call-out fee on weekdays after 5pm and before 5am, on Saturdays after 1pm and all day Sunday. Outside those hours there's no call-out fee, and you're only charged once you accept the job.
If a problem can safely wait until normal hours, that's worth knowing. If it can't, such as a burst pipe or sewage backing up, it's usually cheaper to pay for an after-hours visit than to deal with the damage. Our emergency plumbing page covers what counts as urgent.
Quote or estimate?
A quote is a price for a defined job. An estimate is a best guess, often based on time. Neither is wrong, but you should know which one you've been given and what would change it.
Parts and materials
"Supply and install" can mean very different things. Ask what brand and model is included, especially for tapware, toilets and hot water systems, and whether consumables and disposal of the old unit are in the price.
Access
Getting to the problem is often the bigger part of the job. Common extras around Mandurah include:
- Digging in loose coastal sand, where trenches need care so they don't collapse
- Lifting and re-laying pavers or cutting through concrete
- Pipes under a slab or in tight roof spaces
- Established gardens and trees sitting over the sewer line
What you find once you start
A blocked drain might turn out to be a cracked pipe with tree roots through it, which is common in older suburbs like Halls Head and Dudley Park. A dripping hot water relief valve might point to a pressure problem. A good plumber will stop, show you what they've found, and give you a price before doing extra work. You shouldn't find out about it on the invoice.
Whose pipe is it?
Knowing where your responsibility ends can save you paying for work that isn't yours.
- Water supply: pipes on your side of the water meter are yours. A leak at the meter or in the street is the Water Corporation's. Call 13 13 75.
- Sewer: the Water Corporation looks after its sewer mains. Your private sewer pipes, from the house to the connection point, are generally yours. If a blockage is in their system, they'll fix it.
- Septic and ATUs: on semi-rural blocks around Karnup, Pinjarra and the Yunderups, regular servicing and pump-outs of the system itself are separate from plumbing repairs.
How to avoid surprises
- Ask when the call-out fee applies and how much it is
- Get the price in writing before work starts
- Ask what's included, and what isn't
- Agree that any extra work gets priced and approved first
- Check the plumber is licensed for the job, especially gas work
If you'd like a written price before anything happens, use our quote form.
Questions about a job or how we charge? Call Drainpro Plumbers on 0413 904 259. We cover Mandurah and the Peel region, 24/7.