How much does a plumber cost in Des Moines?
By Our research team · Last verified · Methodology
Plumbers in Des Moines charge $75–$160 an hour on weekdays — $95/hr is what most homeowners pay. Expect a $70–$260 service call on top, and $120–$290/hr on weeknights after hours.
How we get this data- Typical
- $95/hr
- Low end
- $45/hr
- High end
- $430/hr
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Get my fair quote →The typical Des Moines price is $95/hr, 5% below the US typical of $100/hr.
Des Moines's price band
Des Moines is pricier than 44% of the 195 US metros we price for plumber work.
Small repairs in Des Moines — a clogged sink, a running toilet, a dripping faucet — usually land at $65–$340. A new gas water heater is $945–$2,650 installed, and an after-hours emergency visit starts around $240 before any repair.
At $95/hr typical, Des Moines is a market close to the US average. The cheapest calls tend to be in West Des Moines, Ankeny & Urbandale; the dearest are in Downtown, East Village & Sherman Hill, where access and building rules add time.
Every row below assumes a licensed plumber on a weekday. Nights, weekends and holidays usually cost 1.5 to 3 times as much, and most Des Moines plumbers charge a $70–$260 service call before any work starts.
Comparing cities, or after the US-wide picture? See the national guide: Plumber cost in the USA.
$75–$160/hr for a plumber in Des Moines — typically $95/hr. A service call is $70–$260, a clogged drain $95–$340, and a gas water heater $945–$2,650 installed. Verified November 2026. Get free Des Moines quotes →
- Hourly rate: $75–$160 ($95 typical) for a licensed plumber on a weekday
- Service call $70–$260; weeknight after-hours $120–$290/hr
- Clogged drain $95–$340; toilet repair $65–$340
- Tank water heater installed: $690–$2,650
- Highest rates in Downtown, East Village & Sherman Hill; lower in West Des Moines, Ankeny & Urbandale
Prices verified November 2026 · Cross-referenced against 50+ American pricing sources · See methodology
Weekday daytime prices unless the row says otherwise. Installed rows include a standard unit or fixture. Des Moines metro, re-verified November 2026. Permits are extra where required.
| Service | Low | Typical | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| General plumbing, hourly rate (weekday daytime)/hr | $75/hr | $95 | $160 |
| Service call / trip feeflat | $70flat | $140 | $260 |
| Leaky faucet repairper job | $95per job | $230 | $380 |
| Clogged drain, snake / auger (sink, tub or shower)per job | $95per job | $190 | $340 |
| Main line clog: camera inspection + hydro-jettingper job | $410per job | $920 | $2,140 |
| Toilet repair (leak, clog or running)per job | $65per job | $180 | $340 |
| Toilet installation (standard toilet supplied + installed)installed | $340installed | $580 | $970 |
| Gas tank water heater (40–50 gal), installedinstalled | $945installed | $1,700 | $2,650 |
| Electric tank water heater (40–50 gal), installedinstalled | $690installed | $1,300 | $2,150 |
| Heat pump water heater (50 gal), installedinstalled | $1,850installed | $3,050 | $5,050 |
| Gas line to one appliance (range, dryer or grill)per appliance | $260per appliance | $570 | $1,300 |
| Burst pipe repair (pipe only, no water damage)per job | $240per job | $570 | $2,400 |
| Faucet replacement (standard faucet included)installed | $170installed | $290 | $630 |
| Bathroom rough-in (toilet, sink, shower or tub)per bathroom | $1,450per bathroom | $2,400 | $4,800 |
| Emergency / after-hours visit (call-out + first hour)per visit | $240per visit | $380 | $710 |
| After-hours hourly rate (weeknights)/hr | $120/hr | $170 | $290 |
| Fixture set / trim-out after tile (one bathroom, labor)per bathroom | $480per bathroom | $910 | $1,450 |
| Toilet relocation (new drain position)per job | $960per job | $2,400 | $5,750 |
| Laundry room plumbing (rough-in + washer hookups)per job | $380per job | $770 | $1,900 |
| Faucet cartridge or washer replacementper job | $95per job | $170 | $310 |
| Toilet fill valve or flapper replacementper job | $65per job | $120 | $190 |
| Dishwasher installation (hookup to existing lines)per job | $140per job | $210 | $380 |
| Garbage disposal installation (unit included)installed | $240installed | $440 | $830 |
| Whole-house repipe with PEX (2-bath home)per house | $4,350per house | $7,700 | $14,450 |
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Prices verified November 2026 · Cross-referenced against 50+ American pricing sources · See methodology
Prices are for the Des Moines metro — the city and close suburbs. Expect slightly more in Downtown, East Village & Sherman Hill and a trip charge in far-out areas.
Plumber rates across Des Moines
Same plumbers, four price bands. Rates run highest in Downtown, East Village & Sherman Hill, closest to average in South Side & Southeast, and a little lower in West Des Moines, Ankeny & Urbandale.
Downtown, East Village & Sherman Hill
- Hourly
- $85–$160/hr
- Typical job
- $110–$300 / small repair
The priciest part of the metro for plumbing: tight access, pipe behind finished walls, and buildings that only allow work at set hours.
North & East Des Moines
- Hourly
- $80–$150/hr
- Typical job
- $100–$280 / small repair
A mix of older and newer buildings with plenty of renovation work. Rates sit at or a little above the city average; ask what pipe the plumber expects to find before a remodel.
South Side & Southeast
- Hourly
- $75–$140/hr
- Typical job
- $95–$270 / small repair
Mostly single-family homes. Rates are average, and drain and water heater calls are the most common jobs.
West Des Moines, Ankeny & Urbandale
- Hourly
- $75–$140/hr
- Typical job
- $90–$260 / small repair
Prices sit near the city average; the bigger bills here tend to be water heater swaps and remodel work rather than small repairs.
Real plumbing costs in Des Moines
Here's what common plumber jobs cost in Des Moines in 2026, at weekday rates with parts and labor.
Running toilet or dripping faucet — 30 to 60 minutes
A new flapper or fill valve is $65–$190 in Des Moines; a faucet cartridge or washer is $95–$310. Most companies price these flat, and the service call is often folded in.
Clogged kitchen or bathroom drain — weekday visit
A plumber snakes the line and checks it drains. Des Moines quotes run $95–$340; if the clog is in the main line, a camera and hydro-jetting job is $410–$2,140.
Water heater dies — replace a 40–50 gallon tank
Electric tank: $690–$2,150 installed. Gas tank: $945–$2,650, with venting and the gas connection checked. A heat pump water heater is $1,850–$5,050. Haul-away and the permit should be in the price — ask.
Burst pipe on a Saturday night
The emergency visit is $240–$710 for the call-out and first hour, then $120–$290/hr on weeknights and more on weekends. The pipe repair itself is $240–$2,400. Shut the main valve first — every minute of running water adds to the drywall bill, which is separate.
Bathroom remodel — rough-in plus trim-out
Rough-in for a toilet, sink and shower is $1,450–$4,800, and setting the fixtures after tile is $480–$1,450. Moving the toilet to a new spot adds $960–$5,750.
How much does a plumber cost in Des Moines?
Between $75 and $160 an hour for a licensed plumber in Des Moines, and most homeowners pay about $95. Three things set the number: who comes out (a journeyman at $55–$100/hr or a master plumber at $75–$190/hr), when they come, and whether the company bills by the hour or quotes a flat price per job.
The big-ticket lines are where quotes vary most. A gas water heater in Des Moines runs $945–$2,650 installed, a heat pump water heater $1,850–$5,050, and a whole-house PEX repipe $4,350–$14,450. Prices were re-verified against 50 sources in November 2026.
Plumber fees in Des Moines (2026): hourly rates vs fixed quotes
Daytime hourly rates run $75–$160, weeknight after-hours $120–$290/hr, and a service call $70–$260. These are the fee lines that show up on Des Moines invoices.
| Line on the quote | Low | Typical | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard hourly rate | $75 | $95 | $160 |
| After-hours hourly rate (weeknights) | $120 | $170 | $290 |
| Service call fee (often credited to the repair) | $70 | $140 | $260 |
| Emergency call-out fee | $140 | $240 | $380 |
| Trip charge, outside the service area | $50 | $95 | $290 |
| Flat-rate small job (clog, toilet, faucet) | $95 | $220 | $380 |
| Plumbing permit (water heater or small job) | $50 | $130 | $300 |
| Yearly maintenance plan | $100 | $200 | $290 |
The service call is the line to ask about first. In Des Moines it runs $70–$260; many companies credit it to the repair if you go ahead, and some waive it for plan members. Ask before the plumber drives out.
What moves a plumbing quote in Des Moines:
- Time of day — weeknights run $120–$290/hr, and weekends and holidays more, against $95/hr on a weekday.
- Who comes out — a journeyman at $55–$100/hr or a master plumber at $75–$190/hr.
- Access — pipe behind tile, under a slab or in a crawl space adds hours to the same repair.
- Old pipe — galvanized supply lines and cast iron drains can crack when disturbed, and a small fix can turn into a section replacement.
- Parts and permits — the water heater, faucet or toilet you choose, and the city permit for water heaters, gas and new pipe.
Ask every Des Moines plumber the same four things: the service call fee and whether it's credited, the hourly or flat price, what parts are included, and whether the permit is in the quote. Get a quote for your plumbing job →
Plumber cost in Des Moines by job size
A small repair is $65–$340, a water heater $690–$2,650, a bathroom rough-in $1,450–$4,800, and a whole-house PEX repipe $4,350–$14,450 in Des Moines.
Worked example: a weekday visit in Des Moines to fix a running toilet ($120 typical) and snake a slow tub drain ($190 typical) is about $310 at typical flat prices. Book both on one visit so you pay one service call. The same two jobs on a Saturday night start near $570.
Bigger homes cost more only on whole-house work. A 2-bath PEX repipe is $4,350–$14,450 here; a bigger 3-bath, 2-story house costs more because there are more walls to open. A full bathroom remodel — rough-in at $2,400 and trim-out at $910 typical — lands near $3,310 in plumbing alone.
Who to hire for plumbing in Des Moines
| Who to hire | Cost | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Handyman (minor fixes only) | $50–$95/hr | A flapper, a faucet you bought, caulking — small work where no permit is needed |
| Apprentice (under a licensed plumber) | $45–$85/hr | Helper on bigger jobs — usually billed inside the company's rate |
| Licensed journeyman plumber | $55–$100/hr | Most repairs: leaks, drains, toilets, faucets, water heater swaps |
| Master plumber | $75–$190/hr | Permit work, gas lines, remodels and code problems |
| 24/7 emergency service | $120–$430/hr | Burst pipes, sewage backing up, no water at night or on a holiday |
| Drain-cleaning company | $95–$340 per drain | Clogs, roots and main lines — camera and jetting gear on the truck |
| Flat-rate company or franchise | $95–$380 per small job | Price agreed before work starts; compare it with an hourly quote |
| Plumbing contractor (remodel bid) | $1,450–$4,800 per bathroom | Rough-in and trim-out for a remodel or a new bathroom |
Hourly rate vs what you actually pay — the Des Moines plumbing bill
A $95/hr headline becomes $235 the moment a plumber spends an hour on a $140 service call, and more once parts are added. Many companies also bill a one-hour minimum, so a 20-minute fix still costs the full hour.
Flat-rate pricing turns that into one number before work starts: $95–$380 for most small Des Moines jobs. It costs a little more on quick fixes and saves money when the job runs long. Either way, compare the total quote — call fee, labor, parts and permit — not the hourly rate.
What's included in a Des Moines plumbing quote (and what costs extra)
A standard quote covers the plumber's time, normal fittings and supply lines, and cleanup of the work area. The headline price often leaves out:
- The service call — $70–$260 unless it's credited to the repair
- The permit — usually $50–$300 for a water heater or small job, more for remodels
- Haul-away — removing an old water heater or toilet is sometimes a separate charge
- Wall, ceiling or floor repair — plumbers open drywall and tile to reach pipe but rarely patch it
Ask for the quote in writing, with the part numbers and the warranty on labor.
The plumber's license level
A licensed journeyman in Des Moines bills about $55–$100/hr; a master plumber $75–$190/hr. Masters pull permits and handle gas, remodels and code problems. Most repairs don't need one on site.
Nights, weekends and holidays
After-hours work runs $120–$290/hr on weeknights, and more on weekends and holidays, plus a call-out fee of $140–$380. If you can shut the water off and wait for a weekday, you'll often pay about half as much.
Access to the pipe
An open basement is quick. Pipe behind tile, under a slab, in a tight crawl space or inside a finished ceiling adds hours — and drywall or tile repair, which plumbers usually don't include.
Older homes and old pipe
Galvanized supply pipe, cast iron drains and old clay sewer lines are common in older homes. They can break when a plumber works near them, so a small job may grow. Ask what pipe they expect to find.
Parts and equipment
The plumber's labor is only part of a water heater, toilet or faucet job. A Des Moines gas tank water heater is $945–$2,650 installed, and a heat pump unit $1,850–$5,050; the unit you pick sets much of that spread.
Permits and inspections
Water heaters, gas lines, new pipe and remodel work usually need a city permit — typically $50–$300. A licensed plumber should pull it. Small repairs like a flapper or cartridge usually don't need one.
Where in Des Moines you live
Downtown, East Village & Sherman Hill runs highest because of parking, building rules and tight access. Outlying areas can add a trip charge of $50–$290.
- Wait for a weekday if you can.Shut the water off at the fixture or main and book a daytime visit. You'll pay $95/hr instead of $120–$290/hr or more after hours.
- Ask if the service call is credited.Many Des Moines plumbers fold the $70–$260 call fee into the repair if you go ahead. Ask on the phone, before they drive out.
- Bundle small jobs into one visit.A running toilet, a dripping faucet and a slow drain on one visit costs one service call, not three.
- Get a flat price for defined jobs.For a clog, toilet, faucet or water heater, ask for a flat quote. Des Moines small jobs run $95–$380 flat.
- Buy your own fixture — carefully.You can save on a faucet or toilet you pick yourself, but some plumbers won't warranty parts they didn't supply. Ask first.
- Get two quotes on big jobs.Water heaters ($945–$2,650), repipes ($4,350–$14,450) and remodel rough-ins vary the most. Two written quotes is the fastest way to spot a padded one.
Before you approve work in Des Moines, get these in writing:
- The plumber's license number and the company's insurance
- The service call fee, and whether it's credited to the repair
- Hourly rate or flat price, and any minimum charge
- Parts and fixtures, with brand and model
- Who pulls the permit, and whether the fee is included
- Haul-away of the old water heater, toilet or fixture
- After-hours or weekend rates, if the job might run late
- Warranty on parts and on labor
How much does a plumber cost per hour in Des Moines?
$75–$160 per hour for a licensed plumber on a weekday, and $95/hr is the going rate. Most companies add a $70–$260 service call; weeknights after hours run $120–$290/hr, and weekends and holidays more.
How much is a plumber service call in Des Moines?
$70–$260, typical $140. Many plumbers credit it to the repair if you go ahead; after hours, the call-out fee rises to $140–$380.
What does it cost to unclog a drain in Des Moines?
$95–$340 to snake a sink, tub or shower drain. A main line clog with a camera inspection and hydro-jetting is $410–$2,140.
How much does it cost to replace a water heater in Des Moines?
$690–$2,150 for an electric tank and $945–$2,650 for a gas tank, installed. A heat pump water heater is $1,850–$5,050. A permit is usually required.
What does an emergency plumber cost in Des Moines?
$240–$710 for the call-out and first hour at night, on a weekend or a holiday, then $120–$290/hr on weeknights and more on weekends and holidays. Repairs and parts are on top.
How much does toilet repair or replacement cost in Des Moines?
A repair is $65–$340; a new fill valve or flapper is $65–$190. A new standard toilet, supplied and installed, is $340–$970.
What does it cost to fix a leaky faucet in Des Moines?
$95–$380, or $95–$310 if it's just a cartridge or washer. Replacing the faucet with a standard one is $170–$630.
How much does it cost to repipe a house in Des Moines?
$4,350–$14,450 for a 2-bath home with PEX. Wall patching is usually extra, and older homes with galvanized pipe are the most common candidates.
Do I need a licensed plumber and a permit in Des Moines?
For water heaters, gas lines, new pipe and remodels, usually yes — the permit is typically $50–$300, and the plumber should pull it. Most states license plumbers or plumbing contractors, and some leave it to cities and counties — ask for the license number and check it with your state or city. Small repairs like a flapper or cartridge usually need no permit.
Is there a tax credit for a heat pump water heater in Des Moines?
Not a federal one for new installs: the IRS 25C credit ended for equipment placed in service after December 31, 2025. Many utilities and states still offer rebates on a $1,850–$5,050 heat pump water heater — check your utility and state energy office.
Prices verified November 2026 · Cross-referenced against 50+ American pricing sources · See methodology
Prices for the Des Moines metro area, November 2026. Outer suburbs may vary.
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