Plumber call-out charges in the UK: what is fair in 2026

By DemoRod · 5 May 2026 · Gas Safe registered engineers

Call-out fees, hourly rates and emergency premiums explained, so you know what a fair quote looks like before you pick up the phone.

Typical rates

Hourly rate: £45 to £75 outside London, £80 to £120 in London.
Call-out or first-hour fee: £60 to £120, usually including the first hour.
Evenings and weekends: 1.5 times the day rate.
Bank holidays and overnight: double time, often with a minimum of two hours.

Questions to ask

1. Is the call-out fee included in the first hour or on top?
2. Are parts charged at cost plus a mark-up, and how much?
3. Is VAT included in the price quoted?
4. Is the price fixed or an estimate?

How we do it

We publish our rates, we tell you the out-of-hours charge on the phone before we set off, and we agree a fixed price before starting any work beyond the diagnosis.