When you hire a plumber to fix a problem with a dripping tap, leaking pipe, or whatever it might be, you may wonder why the bill you receive is higher than you had expected, particularly if the problem was resolved in under an hour. 

But while you may believe your bill to be too high for the level of work carried out, or time that the plumber spent at your property, misunderstandings related to plumber call-out fees in Perth, may be responsible for your confusion and anxiety.  

Read on to find out exactly what is covered by a call-out fee, what you should know upfront, and how you can avoid overpaying for a plumber’s services:

Call-out fees explained

Sometimes called an attendance fee, service fee or call-out charge, a call-out fee is an amount intended to cover the plumber’s travel time to your location, along with their fuel and vehicle running costs, and usually, an assessment of the situation. It is a legitimate charge that can vary from plumber to plumber.

Knowing what a plumber includes in their call-out fee before you book their services, is essential for clarity and peace of mind. But it is also worth knowing that some plumbers don’t charge a call-out fee at all, so don’t assume before booking that this charge will automatically be applicable.

What a call-out fee typically includes

Although this can vary greatly from plumber to plumber, most call-out fees tend to include the following in Australia:

• Travel to your location
• Preliminary assessment and diagnosis of the problem
• The first 30 to 60 minutes of on-site labour (this can vary significantly)
• Minor consumable parts like O-rings, washers and other fittings costing less than $10

When booking a plumber, always ask whether the labour charges will be separate from the call-out fee. 

The difference between a call-out fee and an hourly rate

Throughout Australia, most plumbers use one of the following pricing models:

• Call-out fee + hourly rate: The call-out fee is a flat charge simply for them to attend your location, then once they arrive, you will be charged an hourly rate for the duration of their visit. While this pricing plan is ideal for quick fixes, costs can add up for bigger jobs. 
• Call-out fee that includes the first hour: The call-out fee covers attendance and the first hour of work, followed by an hourly rate for all other labour. This pricing plan is often used by plumbers with medium-sized businesses. 
• Fixed price per job: With this plan there is no call-out fee and no rate per hour, instead, a set price for the job is quoted before labour starts. Knowing the cost beforehand prevents any unpleasant surprises once the work is over. This is a common pricing plan for regular jobs like clearing a blocked drain or replacing a washer, but not for work that is more complex or lengthy. 

 

Costs associated with emergencies and after-hours call-outs

Reflecting the actual cost typically associated with a real plumbing emergency, such as a burst pipe that is flooding your home, or a lack of hot water in the middle of a cold spell, this kind of call-out often costs up to three times as much as the standard rate. 

Responses after hours or on a Sunday will trigger Fair Work Australia penalty rates for licensed tradespeople, who typically earn between $35 and $55 per hour in base pay under award conditions. With rates for after-hours work often 150 to 200% of base (and possibly more on public holidays), it’s easy to see why charges may increase substantially under emergency conditions.  

It’s worth evaluating whether your plumbing problem is an emergency that can’t wait until the next working day, as the cost of doing so could be significantly lower.  

How to reduce your plumbing bill without compromising on quality

Here are a few practical strategies that you can adopt to keep your plumbing bill as low as possible, while still having the work carried out to a high standard:

• Get all repair work done in one visit

If you’ve booked a plumber to fix a leaking tap, but you know that the upstairs toilet is constantly running, and your hot water system is temperamental, it makes sense to get everything fixed under one call-out fee. 

• Book ahead for all work that isn’t urgent

It’s common knowledge that emergency plumbing call-outs are costly, so if something needs to be repaired but it isn’t an immediate concern, book the plumber so that they can attend during business hours and charge you at a standard rate. 

• Get multiple quotes for bigger jobs

For any kind of plumbing work that is likely to cost more than $500, such as renovating the plumbing in a bathroom, or replacing a hot water system, it’s best to get at least 3 quotes to compare.

• Ask for a fixed price for regular jobs

The majority of trusted plumbers will readily give a fixed price for common jobs.

• Inquire about travel distance charges

If your location is beyond a certain distance from them, they may charge extra, so it’s worth asking about this upfront.  

The best way to avoid any unpleasant billing surprises when booking the services of a local plumber in Perth, is to ask about any call-out or additional fees that might be applicable, before anything is agreed upon. A trustworthy plumber will happily tell you what their fees will definitely include, what their fees might include (according to the specifics of the job following initial assessment), and what their fees will cover.