How much does a plumber cost in Durham?
By Our research team · Last verified · Methodology
Plumbers in Durham charge $70–$150 an hour for standard daytime work, with $90/hr the going rate. Most quotes add a $70–$250 service call, and weeknight after-hours work runs $110–$270/hr.
How we get this data- Typical
- $90/hr
- Low end
- $40/hr
- High end
- $410/hr
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Get my fair quote →The typical Durham price is $90/hr, 10% below the US typical of $100/hr.
Durham's price band
Durham is cheaper than 56% of the 195 US metros we price for plumber work.
Expect $70–$250 just to get a plumber to the door in Durham, often credited to the repair. From there, a faucet fix is $90–$370, a snaked drain $90–$320, and a burst pipe $230–$2,300 before any water damage.
At $90/hr typical, Durham is a below-average plumbing market. The cheapest calls tend to be in Duke & Ninth Street; the dearest are in Downtown & Brightleaf, where access and building rules add time.
Prices on this page are for licensed plumbers working weekday daytime hours, with parts included where the row says installed. Most Durham companies charge a service call of $70–$250, and many credit it to the repair if you go ahead.
Comparing cities, or after the US-wide picture? See the national guide: Plumber cost in the USA.
$70–$150/hr for a plumber in Durham — typically $90/hr. A service call is $70–$250, a clogged drain $90–$320, and a gas water heater $1,000–$2,850 installed. Verified November 2026. Get free Durham quotes →
- Hourly rate: $70–$150 ($90 typical) for a licensed plumber on a weekday
- Service call $70–$250; weeknight after-hours $110–$270/hr
- Clogged drain $90–$320; toilet repair $65–$320
- Tank water heater installed: $735–$2,850
- Highest rates in Downtown & Brightleaf; lower in Duke & Ninth Street
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. Durham metro, re-verified November 2026. Permits are extra where required.
| Service | Low | Typical | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| General plumbing, hourly rate (weekday daytime)/hr | $70/hr | $90 | $150 |
| Service call / trip feeflat | $70flat | $140 | $250 |
| Leaky faucet repairper job | $90per job | $220 | $370 |
| Clogged drain, snake / auger (sink, tub or shower)per job | $90per job | $180 | $320 |
| Main line clog: camera inspection + hydro-jettingper job | $400per job | $900 | $2,080 |
| Toilet repair (leak, clog or running)per job | $65per job | $170 | $320 |
| Toilet installation (standard toilet supplied + installed)installed | $330installed | $570 | $950 |
| Gas tank water heater (40–50 gal), installedinstalled | $1,000installed | $1,850 | $2,850 |
| Electric tank water heater (40–50 gal), installedinstalled | $735installed | $1,400 | $2,300 |
| Heat pump water heater (50 gal), installedinstalled | $1,900installed | $3,150 | $5,250 |
| Gas line to one appliance (range, dryer or grill)per appliance | $280per appliance | $610 | $1,400 |
| Burst pipe repair (pipe only, no water damage)per job | $230per job | $550 | $2,300 |
| Faucet replacement (standard faucet included)installed | $160installed | $280 | $610 |
| Bathroom rough-in (toilet, sink, shower or tub)per bathroom | $1,400per bathroom | $2,300 | $4,600 |
| Emergency / after-hours visit (call-out + first hour)per visit | $230per visit | $360 | $680 |
| After-hours hourly rate (weeknights)/hr | $110/hr | $160 | $270 |
| Fixture set / trim-out after tile (one bathroom, labor)per bathroom | $460per bathroom | $860 | $1,350 |
| Toilet relocation (new drain position)per job | $920per job | $2,300 | $5,500 |
| Laundry room plumbing (rough-in + washer hookups)per job | $370per job | $740 | $1,850 |
| Faucet cartridge or washer replacementper job | $90per job | $160 | $300 |
| Toilet fill valve or flapper replacementper job | $65per job | $120 | $180 |
| Dishwasher installation (hookup to existing lines)per job | $140per job | $200 | $360 |
| Garbage disposal installation (unit included)installed | $240installed | $430 | $810 |
| Whole-house repipe with PEX (2-bath home)per house | $4,150per house | $7,400 | $13,900 |
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Prices verified November 2026 · Cross-referenced against 50+ American pricing sources · See methodology
Figures cover the Durham metro area. Downtown & Brightleaf runs at the top of these ranges; outlying towns can add a trip charge of $45–$270.
Plumber rates across Durham
Same plumbers, four price bands. Rates run highest in Downtown & Brightleaf, closest to average in Chapel Hill & RTP, and a little lower in Duke & Ninth Street.
Downtown & Brightleaf
- Hourly
- $80–$150/hr
- Typical job
- $100–$280 / small repair
Denser blocks with condos, apartments and mixed-use buildings. Plumbers price in parking and the time it takes to get building access or shut water off for more than one unit.
East Durham & Hayti
- Hourly
- $75–$140/hr
- Typical job
- $95–$260 / small repair
Houses, apartments and converted buildings side by side. Small jobs are priced near the city average, and remodel work books up early.
Duke & Ninth Street
- Hourly
- $65–$130/hr
- Typical job
- $85–$240 / small repair
Lots of rentals, where landlords book a steady stream of clog and toilet calls. Rates sit at or slightly under the city average.
Chapel Hill & RTP
- Hourly
- $70–$130/hr
- Typical job
- $85–$240 / 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 Durham
Here's what common plumber jobs cost in Durham 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–$180 in Durham; a faucet cartridge or washer is $90–$300. 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. Durham quotes run $90–$320; if the clog is in the main line, a camera and hydro-jetting job is $400–$2,080.
Water heater dies — replace a 40–50 gallon tank
Electric tank: $735–$2,300 installed. Gas tank: $1,000–$2,850, with venting and the gas connection checked. A heat pump water heater is $1,900–$5,250. Haul-away and the permit should be in the price — ask.
Burst pipe on a Saturday night
The emergency visit is $230–$680 for the call-out and first hour, then $110–$270/hr on weeknights and more on weekends. The pipe repair itself is $230–$2,300. 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 $1,400–$4,600, and setting the fixtures after tile is $460–$1,350. Moving the toilet to a new spot adds $920–$5,500.
How much does a plumber cost in Durham?
Between $70 and $150 an hour for a licensed plumber in Durham, and most homeowners pay about $90. Three things set the number: who comes out (a journeyman at $55–$100/hr or a master plumber at $70–$180/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 Durham runs $1,000–$2,850 installed, a heat pump water heater $1,900–$5,250, and a whole-house PEX repipe $4,150–$13,900. Prices were re-verified against 50 sources in November 2026.
Plumber fees in Durham (2026): hourly rates vs fixed quotes
Daytime hourly rates run $70–$150, weeknight after-hours $110–$270/hr, and a service call $70–$250. These are the fee lines that show up on Durham invoices.
| Line on the quote | Low | Typical | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard hourly rate | $70 | $90 | $150 |
| After-hours hourly rate (weeknights) | $110 | $160 | $270 |
| Service call fee (often credited to the repair) | $70 | $140 | $250 |
| Emergency call-out fee | $140 | $230 | $360 |
| Trip charge, outside the service area | $45 | $90 | $270 |
| Flat-rate small job (clog, toilet, faucet) | $90 | $210 | $370 |
| Plumbing permit (water heater or small job) | $50 | $130 | $300 |
| Yearly maintenance plan | $95 | $190 | $290 |
The service call is the line to ask about first. In Durham it runs $70–$250; 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 Durham:
- Time of day — weeknights run $110–$270/hr, and weekends and holidays more, against $90/hr on a weekday.
- Who comes out — a journeyman at $55–$100/hr or a master plumber at $70–$180/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 Durham 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 Durham by job size
A small repair is $65–$320, a water heater $735–$2,850, a bathroom rough-in $1,400–$4,600, and a whole-house PEX repipe $4,150–$13,900 in Durham.
Worked example: a weekday visit in Durham to fix a running toilet ($120 typical) and snake a slow tub drain ($180 typical) is about $300 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 $540.
Bigger homes cost more only on whole-house work. A 2-bath PEX repipe is $4,150–$13,900 here; a bigger 3-bath, 2-story house costs more because there are more walls to open. A full bathroom remodel — rough-in at $2,300 and trim-out at $860 typical — lands near $3,160 in plumbing alone.
Who to hire for plumbing in Durham
| Who to hire | Cost | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Handyman (minor fixes only) | $45–$90/hr | A flapper, a faucet you bought, caulking — small work where no permit is needed |
| Apprentice (under a licensed plumber) | $40–$80/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 | $70–$180/hr | Permit work, gas lines, remodels and code problems |
| 24/7 emergency service | $110–$410/hr | Burst pipes, sewage backing up, no water at night or on a holiday |
| Drain-cleaning company | $90–$320 per drain | Clogs, roots and main lines — camera and jetting gear on the truck |
| Flat-rate company or franchise | $90–$370 per small job | Price agreed before work starts; compare it with an hourly quote |
| Plumbing contractor (remodel bid) | $1,400–$4,600 per bathroom | Rough-in and trim-out for a remodel or a new bathroom |
Hourly rate vs what you actually pay — the Durham plumbing bill
A $90/hr headline becomes $230 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: $90–$370 for most small Durham 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 Durham 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–$250 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 Durham bills about $55–$100/hr; a master plumber $70–$180/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 $110–$270/hr on weeknights, and more on weekends and holidays, plus a call-out fee of $140–$360. 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 Durham gas tank water heater is $1,000–$2,850 installed, and a heat pump unit $1,900–$5,250; 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 Durham you live
Downtown & Brightleaf runs highest because of parking, building rules and tight access. Outlying areas can add a trip charge of $45–$270.
- Wait for a weekday if you can.Shut the water off at the fixture or main and book a daytime visit. You'll pay $90/hr instead of $110–$270/hr or more after hours.
- Ask if the service call is credited.Many Durham plumbers fold the $70–$250 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. Durham small jobs run $90–$370 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 ($1,000–$2,850), repipes ($4,150–$13,900) and remodel rough-ins vary the most. Two written quotes is the fastest way to spot a padded one.
Before you approve work in Durham, 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 Durham?
$70–$150 per hour for a licensed plumber on a weekday, and $90/hr is the going rate. Most companies add a $70–$250 service call; weeknights after hours run $110–$270/hr, and weekends and holidays more.
How much is a plumber service call in Durham?
$70–$250, typical $140. Many plumbers credit it to the repair if you go ahead; after hours, the call-out fee rises to $140–$360.
What does it cost to unclog a drain in Durham?
$90–$320 to snake a sink, tub or shower drain. A main line clog with a camera inspection and hydro-jetting is $400–$2,080.
How much does it cost to replace a water heater in Durham?
$735–$2,300 for an electric tank and $1,000–$2,850 for a gas tank, installed. A heat pump water heater is $1,900–$5,250. A permit is usually required.
What does an emergency plumber cost in Durham?
$230–$680 for the call-out and first hour at night, on a weekend or a holiday, then $110–$270/hr on weeknights and more on weekends and holidays. Repairs and parts are on top.
How much does toilet repair or replacement cost in Durham?
A repair is $65–$320; a new fill valve or flapper is $65–$180. A new standard toilet, supplied and installed, is $330–$950.
What does it cost to fix a leaky faucet in Durham?
$90–$370, or $90–$300 if it's just a cartridge or washer. Replacing the faucet with a standard one is $160–$610.
How much does it cost to repipe a house in Durham?
$4,150–$13,900 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 Durham?
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 Durham?
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 $1,900–$5,250 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 Durham metro area, November 2026. Outer suburbs may vary.
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