How much does a plumber cost in Derby? (2026)

Hourly, day and call-out rates in Derby

Most Derby plumbers charge around £40–£60 an hour, often with a minimum charge or call-out fee of £60–£100 that includes the first hour. Day rates for bigger jobs usually run £200–£300 for a sole trader. Derby and the wider East Midlands generally sit below London prices.

Out-of-hours and emergency work costs more. Evenings, weekends and bank holidays often mean £90–£150 for the first hour, with higher rates late at night or over Christmas. If you can isolate the water and the job can wait until the next working day, waiting usually saves money.

Parts are normally on top of labour. A good plumber will tell you what they're fitting and roughly what it costs before they start.

What common plumbing jobs cost

As a rough Derby guide for 2026: fixing a dripping tap (new washer or cartridge) is usually £60–£110, replacing a kitchen or basin tap is £80–£150 in labour if you've bought the tap, and clearing a blocked sink or toilet inside the house is commonly £70–£150.

Fitting a new toilet is roughly £100–£200 in labour, or £175–£350 supplied and fitted for a standard model. Replacing a radiator like for like is usually £150–£350 including a standard radiator. Fitting an outside tap is around £100–£180, including the tap and the check valve that stops dirty water being drawn back into the mains.

Bigger jobs are usually quoted as a fixed price: moving pipework for a new kitchen or bathroom, replacing a hot water cylinder, or plumbing in a full bathroom. Get these in writing, with what's included.

One thing worth knowing: if a blockage is in a drain or sewer shared with neighbours, or in the pipe beyond your property boundary, it's usually the water company's responsibility rather than yours. Severn Trent covers Derby, so it's worth a call before you pay for drain work.

Plumber or Gas Safe engineer?

Plumbers don't need a licence to work on water pipes, taps, toilets or radiators, which is why checking experience and reviews matters. One useful check is WaterSafe, a register of approved plumbers who are trained in the water regulations, supported by the water companies.

Anything involving gas is different. By law, boilers, gas hobs, gas fires and gas pipework must be worked on by a Gas Safe registered engineer. Many plumbers are also Gas Safe registered, but not all, so if your job touches gas, ask for the card and check it on the register.

Unvented hot water cylinders (the pressurised type with no tank in the loft) are specialist too. Installing one is notifiable building work and needs an installer who is qualified for unvented systems.

Getting a fair quote

For anything beyond a quick fix, ask for a written quote that lists the parts, the labour, and whether making good (replacing tiles, boxing in pipes) is included. Photos sent in advance help a plumber give a more accurate price, and for simple jobs some will give a rough figure without a visit.

Batch small jobs into one visit where you can, so you only pay the minimum charge once. Never pay the full cost up front. For larger jobs, a deposit for materials and the balance on completion is normal.

You can post a plumbing job free on Rank My Builder. Each job is capped at 5 quotes, so your phone isn't rung off the hook. We're new and only match jobs in Nottingham, Derby and Leicester right now, so quotes can take a little while.

FAQs

Useful official links

Check these yourself — logos on a van are not the same as being on the register.

• WaterSafe — find an approved plumber
• Gas Safe Register — find an engineer
• TrustMark — find a trusted trader