EVERY QUOTE
The plumber’s QBCC licence number
Ask for the QBCC licence number and look it up on the QBCC online licence search. Plumbing and drainage in Queensland has to be done by a licensed plumber or drainer.
FREE TOOL · 1 MINUTE
Is this quote
fair?
Pick the job, enter the quoted price and tick what the quote spells out. You see how it compares with typical Ipswich prices and what to ask before you agree.
WHAT A CLEAR QUOTE SAYS
Eight things
to look for.
Missing one is not a red flag by itself. It is a question to ask before you agree. Full price guide
EVERY QUOTE
Exactly what will be done (which line, how many metres, what is replaced)
Ask for the scope in writing: which drain or fixture, how far, and what gets replaced. A one-line quote is hard to compare and easy to stretch.
EVERY QUOTE
A fixed price, or an hourly rate with an estimate of the hours
Ask whether the price is fixed. If it is hourly, ask for the rate and how many hours they expect, so the bill cannot drift.
EVERY QUOTE
Whether the call-out fee is included
Ask whether the call-out fee is on top. Ipswich plumbers charge anything from nothing to $150, and some fold it into the first hour.
EVERY QUOTE
Whether the price includes GST
Ask whether GST is included. Ten per cent is a lot to discover on the invoice.
FOR SOME JOBS
Camera footage or photos showing the problem
Before paying for a repair or a dig-up, ask to see the footage or photos of the fault. A good plumber is happy to show you what they found.
FOR SOME JOBS
Making good: paths, lawn or walls put back, old parts taken away
Ask who puts back the concrete, lawn or wall, and whether removing the old unit or pipe is included. Reinstatement is often left off.
EVERY QUOTE
A warranty on the work and the parts
Ask what warranty comes with the work and the parts, and for how long.
TYPICAL PRICES
What these jobs
usually cost.
| Job | Typical range | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| Blocked drains | $150–$550 | to clear a standard blockage |
| CCTV drain inspections | $250–$550 | per inspection |
| High-pressure drain cleaning | $250–$600 | to jet one blocked line |
| Stormwater drainage | $200–$600 | to clear a blocked stormwater line |
| Sewer drain repairs | $1,000–$3,000 | to dig up and replace a damaged section |
| Pipe relining | $400–$1,000 | per metre |
| Leak detection | $250–$600 | for the investigation |
| Burst pipe repairs | $200–$600 | to repair an accessible pipe |
| Tap repairs & replacements | $80–$260 | to fix a dripping tap |
| Toilet repairs & installation | $400–$1,000 | to supply and fit a new suite |
| Hot water systems | $150–$450 | per repair |
| Hot water installation | $1,000–$3,500 | supplied and installed |
| Gas plumbing | $150–$500 | to connect a cooktop to an existing point |
| Bathroom plumbing | $2,000–$6,500 | for a renovation rough-in and fit-off |
| Kitchen & laundry plumbing | $150–$700 | per job |
| Roof, gutter & downpipe plumbing | $150–$450 | to unblock or replace one downpipe |
| Water filtration systems | $250–$600 | for an under-sink filter installed |
| General plumbing | $170–$300 | for a call-out and the first hour |
| Emergency plumbing guidance | $150–$450 | to attend after hours |
QUESTIONS
Quick answers.
How do I know if a plumbing quote is fair?
Compare the price with the typical range for that job in your area, and check the quote spells out the scope, whether the price is fixed, the call-out fee, GST and the warranty. A price well outside the range is not wrong by itself, but it is worth asking why, and worth a second quote.
Why are some plumbing quotes much cheaper?
Usually because something is left out: the call-out fee, GST, parts, making good, or the camera inspection that shows what is actually wrong. A cheap clear that does not find the cause can cost more over a year than a dearer job that fixes it.
Should I get a second quote?
For anything above the typical range, any dig-up and any job over a few thousand dollars, yes. It is normal practice and a good plumber will not mind. Send us the job and your suburb and a licensed local plumber will quote it independently.
How do I check a plumber’s licence in Queensland?
Ask for their QBCC licence number and look it up on the QBCC online licence search. It shows the licence class and whether it is current.
NO GUESSWORK
Want a second
quote?
Send the job and your suburb. A licensed local plumber who covers your area will quote it independently, and you agree the price with them before any work starts.