Plumber prices in Boston, MA
| Project | Time | Typical cost | Range |
|---|
| Standard service call (diagnosis + minor repair) |
1–2 hours |
$261 |
$214 – $313 |
| Drain cleaning (sink, tub, or floor drain) |
30–90 min |
$152 |
$124 – $182 |
| Single-fixture leak repair (faucet, supply line) |
1–2 hours |
$275 |
$226 – $330 |
| Toilet replacement (you supply fixture) |
2–3 hours |
$318 |
$261 – $382 |
| Water heater replacement (40–50 gal tank) |
4–6 hours |
$1,852 |
$1,519 – $2,223 |
| Sewer line repair (spot repair, not full replace) |
1–2 days |
$2,972 |
$2,437 – $3,566 |
| Whole-house re-pipe (1500 sq ft, PEX) |
3–5 days |
$8,372 |
$6,865 – $10,046 |
Local rate = BLS national mean × 2.4 markup × (MA COL 146.5/100). Materials adjusted by the same factor.
What a plumber in Boston actually does
A licensed plumber handles anything that touches the pressurized water supply, the DWV (drain-waste-vent) system, the gas line, or fixed gas-fired appliances like water heaters and pool heaters. A typical service call begins with a 15–30 minute diagnosis: the plumber will run faucets, check water pressure at a hose bib (40–80 PSI is normal), inspect supply lines and shut-off valves, and — if the call involves a drain — usually run a snake or scope a camera before quoting the repair. Bigger jobs (re-pipes, sewer-line work, water-heater swaps) require a written scope, a permit pulled in the homeowner's name, and at least one rough/final inspection by the local building department.
Questions to ask before you hire in MA
- Are you licensed in this state, and what is your license number?
- Do you carry general liability and workers' comp? (Get the policy number, not just a "yes.")
- Is the price flat-rate or hourly, and what does it include — diagnosis, parts, disposal, permit?
- If the job grows in scope, how is the change order priced and approved?
- What is the warranty on labor and on the manufacturer parts?
- Will you pull the permit, or do you expect me to?
A plumber who quotes a major job sight-unseen, refuses to put the price in writing, or asks for more than 30% up front. Door-to-door "I noticed something wrong with your house" pitches after a storm are almost always scams.
6 licensed plumbers in Boston
Eagle Pipe Masters
📍 6569 Main Ln, Boston, MA 02203
★ 3.7 / 5 · 7 reviews · 20 years in business
✓ Licensed ✓ Insured BBB A 24/7 Emergency 20 yrs
Specialties: Water heater install, Drain cleaning, Leak repair, Sump pump
Johnson Rooter
📍 6173 River Ln, Boston, MA 02133
★ 3.9 / 5 · 116 reviews · 8 years in business
✓ Licensed ✓ Insured BBB A- 24/7 Emergency 8 yrs
Specialties: Pipe burst repair, Sewer line repair, Faucet install, Drain cleaning, Toilet replacement
Henderson Drain Co
📍 9326 Cherry Ave, Boston, MA 02113
★ 4.1 / 5 · 167 reviews · 11 years in business
✓ Licensed ✓ Insured BBB A+ 11 yrs
Specialties: Drain cleaning, Toilet replacement, Re-piping, Faucet install
Boston Plumbing
📍 8069 Aspen Pl, Boston, MA 02203
★ 4.5 / 5 · 145 reviews · 16 years in business
✓ Licensed ✓ Insured BBB A+ 24/7 Emergency 16 yrs
Specialties: Pipe burst repair, Sewer line repair, Re-piping
Boston Pipe Masters
📍 3225 Main Blvd, Boston, MA 02133
★ 4.1 / 5 · 21 reviews · 6 years in business
✓ Licensed ✓ Insured BBB A 6 yrs
Specialties: Re-piping, Faucet install, Garbage disposal, Leak repair, Pipe burst repair
Allen Drain Co
📍 9996 Willow Ct, Boston, MA 02113
★ 4.4 / 5 · 107 reviews · 32 years in business
✓ Licensed ✓ Insured BBB A+ 24/7 Emergency 32 yrs
Specialties: Water heater install, Faucet install, Sump pump, Garbage disposal
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Seasonal plumbing checklist for Boston homeowners
Spring
- Run every faucet, shower, and outdoor spigot for 60 seconds; watch for slow drains, drips at the base, and drops in pressure.
- Inspect the water heater anode rod if your unit is over 5 years old; replace if more than 50% consumed.
- Test the sump pump by pouring a 5-gallon bucket of water into the pit; the pump should activate and the pit should empty within 30 seconds.
- Re-aim sprinklers and clear hose-bib vacuum breakers before the irrigation season.
- Snake or enzyme-treat slow drains before summer guest season.
Fall
- Disconnect garden hoses and shut off exterior hose-bib valves before the first hard freeze.
- Insulate any exposed pipes in crawlspaces, garages, or unheated basements with foam sleeves.
- Drain and winterize irrigation lines (most municipalities and HOAs require this by mid-November).
- Flush the water heater tank to clear sediment that reduces efficiency.
- Test main water shut-off valve so you can find it fast in an emergency.
Winter
- Open cabinet doors under sinks on outside walls during cold snaps to let warm air reach pipes.
- Let faucets on outside walls drip overnight when temperatures drop below 20°F.
- Maintain at least 55°F indoors even when the home is unoccupied.