Plumber prices in Philadelphia, PA
| Project | Time | Typical cost | Range |
|---|
| Standard service call (diagnosis + minor repair) |
1–2 hours |
$170 |
$139 – $204 |
| Drain cleaning (sink, tub, or floor drain) |
30–90 min |
$99 |
$81 – $119 |
| Single-fixture leak repair (faucet, supply line) |
1–2 hours |
$180 |
$147 – $216 |
| Toilet replacement (you supply fixture) |
2–3 hours |
$208 |
$170 – $249 |
| Water heater replacement (40–50 gal tank) |
4–6 hours |
$1,209 |
$991 – $1,450 |
| Sewer line repair (spot repair, not full replace) |
1–2 days |
$1,939 |
$1,590 – $2,327 |
| Whole-house re-pipe (1500 sq ft, PEX) |
3–5 days |
$5,463 |
$4,480 – $6,556 |
Local rate = BLS national mean × 2.4 markup × (PA COL 95.6/100). Materials adjusted by the same factor.
What a plumber in Philadelphia 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 PA
- 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.
7 licensed plumbers in Philadelphia
Ortiz Rooter
📍 2338 Aspen Pkwy, Philadelphia, PA 19102
★ 3.8 / 5 · 382 reviews · 12 years in business
✓ Licensed ✓ Insured 24/7 Emergency 12 yrs
Specialties: Drain cleaning, Sump pump, Toilet replacement, Re-piping
Hometown Pipeline
📍 1593 Forest St, Philadelphia, PA 19109
★ 3.9 / 5 · 7 reviews · 35 years in business
✓ Licensed ✓ Insured BBB A+ 35 yrs
Specialties: Garbage disposal, Sump pump, Faucet install, Sewer line repair, Water heater install
Philadelphia Rooter
📍 5041 Birch Ln, Philadelphia, PA 19107
★ 4.5 / 5 · 214 reviews · 3 years in business
✓ Licensed ✓ Insured BBB A 3 yrs
Specialties: Leak repair, Water heater install, Drain cleaning, Sump pump, Sewer line repair
Philadelphia Plumbing
📍 4492 Madison Pkwy, Philadelphia, PA 19102
★ 4.8 / 5 · 317 reviews · 21 years in business
✓ Licensed ✓ Insured BBB A- 21 yrs
Specialties: Sump pump, Leak repair, Faucet install, Pipe burst repair
Brennan Rooter
📍 1900 Aspen Ln, Philadelphia, PA 19109
★ 3.7 / 5 · 53 reviews · 9 years in business
✓ Licensed ✓ Insured 9 yrs
Specialties: Toilet replacement, Garbage disposal, Drain cleaning, Leak repair
Philadelphia Rooter Co.
📍 2473 Pine Pkwy, Philadelphia, PA 19107
★ 3.7 / 5 · 68 reviews · 3 years in business
✓ Licensed ✓ Insured BBB A- 24/7 Emergency 3 yrs
Specialties: Sump pump, Drain cleaning, Faucet install, Garbage disposal, Pipe burst repair
Cardinal Plumbers
📍 9661 Jefferson Ct, Philadelphia, PA 19102
★ 4.2 / 5 · 259 reviews · 7 years in business
✓ Licensed ✓ Insured BBB A+ 24/7 Emergency 7 yrs
Specialties: Sewer line repair, Drain cleaning, Re-piping, Pipe burst repair
Looking for a specific ZIP?
Seasonal plumbing checklist for Philadelphia 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.