Is the cheapest quote a bad sign?

Not always. A low quote may be from a plumber with lower costs, or it may leave things out, such as making good, parts of a certain quality, or a warranty. Compare what each quote includes before you compare the totals.

Does making good change the price?

Yes. Closing up a hacked wall or floor, plastering and re-tiling can be a large part of the cost of a concealed leak repair. One quote may include it and another may not.

Should a quote include a warranty?

Ask for the warranty terms in writing: how long, what it covers (parts, workmanship or both), and what it excludes. A quote without warranty terms is harder to compare.

Why does the same job cost more in one house than another?

Access, pipe material, how much needs opening, the age of the pipes, and building rules in condos all change the work involved. Two jobs with the same name can be very different in practice.

Why Plumbing Quotes Differ So Much | KL Plumbing Handbook

Same problem, very different prices

You ask three plumbers to quote for the same leak, and the prices are far apart. It happens all the time, and it is one of the most common worries homeowners have. Usually there is a reason. The plumbers may have seen different problems, planned different fixes, chosen different materials or included different things. This guide explains what drives the differences and how to compare quotes like for like. For published prices, see the Plumbing Costs section.

Scope differences

The biggest reason quotes differ is that they are not quoting for the same job. Some also include a checking fee and some do not; Plumber Inspection Fees: What They Cover and When They Are Waived explains the common setups.

One plumber may plan to repair one joint. Another may suggest replacing the whole run of old pipe.
One may reroute a concealed pipe along the surface. Another may repair it inside the wall.
One may include finding the leak. Another may quote only once the leak is found.

Ask each plumber to describe exactly what they will do. If one suggests a bigger job, ask why.

Different pipe fittings and lengths laid on a sheet on a porch floor

Materials and brands

The parts and materials make a real difference:

Pipe material: PVC, PPR, copper and others differ in price and suitability. Hot water lines need heat-rated material.
Fittings: cheaper fittings may fail sooner.
Fixtures: taps, valves, fill valves and pumps vary widely by brand.

A quote that names the brand and model lets you compare. “Pipe and fittings” with no detail does not.

Making good after hacking

For concealed leaks, the repair often means opening a wall or floor. Then someone has to close it up, plaster it and re-tile or repaint. That is called making good.

Freshly re-tiled patch on a bathroom wall after pipe work

Making good can be a large part of the cost, and quotes handle it differently:

Included in full: hacking, repair, plaster and tiles
Partly included: hacking, repair and plaster, but not tiles
Not included: the plumber repairs the pipe and leaves the opening

If tiles need matching, ask who supplies them.

Warranty and permits

Warranty: a quote with a written warranty on workmanship may cost more than one without.
Permits: work on pipes carrying water from the public mains needs a plumber with an IPA Type A permit from SPAN. A plumber with the right permit may not be the cheapest.
Building rules: in condos, contractor registration, deposits and restricted hours can add to the cost.

Other factors

Access: working behind built-in cabinets, in tight roof spaces or at height takes longer.
Urgency: same-day or out-of-hours work may cost more.
Disposal: removing old toilets, tanks or heaters.
Inspection fees: whether the visit fee is waived, deducted or extra.

Comparing like for like

Use this checklist to line up quotes side by side.

Item	Quote A	Quote B	Quote C
What exactly will be done?
How the problem will be found
Pipe or part material and brand
Length of pipe or number of parts
Hacking included? How much?
Making good: plaster, tiles, paint?
Disposal of old parts
Inspection fee treatment
Warranty: period, parts, workmanship
SPAN permit holder?
Timeline and water-off time
Deposit and payment stages
Total price

Fill in what each quote says. Gaps show you what to ask.

Two examples of how scope changes the price

A leaking pipe under a sink. Plumber A quotes to replace one joint. Plumber B quotes to replace the joint, the flexible hose and the angle valve, because they are old and corroded. Plumber B’s quote is higher, but it may prevent a second visit next month. Neither is wrong. Ask each why.

A damp patch on a bathroom wall. Plumber A quotes to find and repair the leak, with a small opening and plaster, but no tiles. Plumber B quotes to repair the pipe, re-tile the area and give a written warranty. Plumber C suggests rerouting the pipe along the surface and boxing it in. The three prices can be far apart, and so are the jobs.

Using published prices as a reference

This handbook does not quote market averages. The partner plumber’s published starting prices, read on 15 November 2026, are listed in the Plumbing Costs section with their source. They show where one provider’s prices start for common jobs. Use them as a point of reference, not as what every job should cost.

Red flags in a quote

A total with no breakdown
No mention of making good on a concealed repair
Pressure to decide on the spot, unless it is a real emergency
A large deposit before any work starts
No warranty terms

Our guide on what a written plumbing quote should include covers each part of a good quote.

When to call a plumber

Ask for written quotes from plumbers who have seen the problem. Compare them using the checklist above, ask about anything that differs, and choose the one that is clearest about what you get. For small repairs, one clear quote may be enough.