
Repairing a main water line is an urgent matter, so use this guide to get an idea of how much main water line repairs cost to act fast.
Plumbers in New York City cost $353 on average, with most homeowners spending between $201 and $530. With over 20,000 plumbers in the state, talk to a few to gather different quotes.
New York City plumbers charge between $150 and $250 per hour.
The high cost of living is the number one driver of high average costs.
Complicated permits for older structures can easily multiply a quote.
Good news: you can hire a qualified pro 24/7.
New York City plumbers cost $201 to $530, with the average settling at $353. Residents can expect to pay these pros a hefty sum, especially if work is performed after hours or during inclement weather. Let’s dig into why prices vary so much, tend to be high, and what you can expect based on your unique situation.
Unions, high overhead, permits, and high demand all contribute to the fact that New York plumbers can charge more than just about anywhere.
The urgency of the repair, its complexity, and the expertise level of the plumbing pro you hire all factor greatly into the total cost. Certain projects, like burst pipes, require immediate, expert-level attention. However, other projects like repairing or replacing a faucet or adjusting the flow rate on a toilet can be done for much less, as they require neither expert intervention and aren’t urgent.
Use the table below and match the experience level with the project when hiring a New York plumber. This way, you’ll hire the right person for the job, and it ensures you won’t overpay for experience. If your project below isn’t listed, a journeyperson is always a safe bet.
Project | Experience level | Average Cost |
---|---|---|
Burst pipe repair | Master | $800–$3,800 |
Fixing leaky pipes | Journeyperson, apprentice | $150–$1,000 |
Radiator repair | Journeyperson, apprentice | $100–$750 |
Sump pump repair | Master, journeyperson | $250–$1,400 |
Plumbing rerouting | Master | $550–$1,600 |
Toilet repair | Journeyperson, apprentice | $50–$350 |
Homeowners should have plumbers check their pipes and fixtures once a year, especially in New York. The city is old, and many landlords and homeowners have been lax over the years with modernizing their plumbing. Because of this, age-related issues (which are often expensive, emergency plumbing repairs) can happen seemingly without warning. Heading these off before they develop can save tens of thousands of dollars.
Other than that, plumbers will charge a fee to investigate the problem and then provide a quote. This is where it pays to develop a long-term relationship with a seasoned pro. In such cases, they may provide informal recommendations over the phone and could provide accurate quotes without making a house call.
Permit requirements may come up during a plumbing inspection, but if they don’t, ask your pro. New York has a complicated permit system for historical buildings, so if you live in one, buckle in for a bit of an extended process. The good news is, however, that most plumbing projects won’t require a permit, saving homeowners anywhere from $150 to $900 or more.
Where you live in the city will impact what you pay. For example, plumbers will cost more in Midtown Manhattan than they will in the Bronx or Staten Island. Expect to pay more if you match any of the following criteria:
Live in a high-rise.
Live in a historical structure or iconic building.
Live in a prestigious zip code (Park West, for example).
Live somewhere that requires an extended permit process.
In addition, consider where the work takes place in your home. Tight spaces or dangerous-to-reach spots will always attract a premium.
Plumber experience levels vary, which affects their rates and their ability to own a business. Master plumbers are the rockstars here and can handle any project thrown their way. Journey-level plumbers can be as skilled or even more, but certain exams may bar some from stepping up to the next level. New York plumbing can be complicated, so for all but the simplest projects, we don’t recommend hiring a handyperson or an unsupervised apprentice.
Experience Level | Years of Experience | Average Hourly Rate |
---|---|---|
Handyperson | No formal amount | $35–$75 |
Apprentice | Less than 4 years | $50–$90 |
Journeyperson | 4+ years and state exam | $55–$135 |
Master | 7+ years and state exam | $90–$220 |
Most experienced New York City plumbers charge between $150 and $250 per hour. However, you should talk to a local plumbing pro to get a breakdown of project costs. Remember that if the work requires any special equipment or materials, you should expect those charges as well. Their hourly fee may not include any of these extras.
No, but it does protect it. If you are making renovations to your home, especially projects with a high return-on-investment (ROI), you can see that money comes back to you in the form of increased value. However, simply fixing problems that come up will do nothing to increase the numerical value of your home.
That being said, New York is often a seller’s market. If you’ve done any work that may be attractive to buyers, mention it. You might not increase your asking price, but you’ll probably generate increased interest, potentially leading to a higher number of offers or bids.
Home is the most important place on earth, which is why Angi has helped more than 150 million homeowners transform their houses into homes they adore. To help homeowners with their next project, Angi provides readers with the most accurate cost data and upholds strict editorial standards. We extensively research project costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We rely on reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects.
Want to help us improve our cost data? Send us a recent project quote to [email protected]. Quotes and personal information will not be shared publicly.
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