Have a Clogged Drain? Clear It Yourself and Avoid Emergency Plumber Costs

The range is calculated by ignoring the 25% most expensive and 25% cheapest quotes.

PLUMBING RATES Typical & reasonable rates

Region First hour /Typical costs

East Anglia 35-40 / 25-50

Midlands 25-50 /25-35

North-East & Yorkshire25-48 / 20-30

North-West 30-50 /18-25

Scotland 28-43 / 22-35

South-East & London 35-55 / 35-50

South-West 29-45 /20-35

Wales 30-40 /25-35

Nationally 30-50 /25-40

Which also asked a leading DIY expert set out the average time taken to do a standard range of plumbing tasks.

These are listed below.

INSTALLATION

Description Time

Outside tap 2 hours

Bedroom washbasin in vanity unit5-6 hours

Gas hob 2 hours

REPLACING

Dishwasher 1 hour

Two taps on pedestal washbasin 2-3 hours

A toilet 3-4 hours

A standard kitchen sink 2-3 hours

Radiator 2 hours

Thermocouple on a boiler 1 hour

As well as the very basic plumbing repairs many landlords, particularly ones that are refurbishing property require more substantial work such as carrying out a replacement to the central heating system or a new boiler. In which case, developer landlords should have a look at the latest publication from the Building Cost Information Service BCIS. This sets out a whole range of costs associated with domestic properties. The book entitled the Property Makeover Price Guide contains a whole range of prices from changing a tap to building a small extension. It is available from BCIS LINK for £17.99 is well worth the investment for any budding investor / developer.

An example of some of the costs contained within the book are given below:

Replace heating system (excluding pipework) - £3620 - £5720

Wall mounted boiler, single and double panel radiators, wall thermostat and programmer (clockwork programmer)

Replace heating system (including pipework) -£5250 - £8610

Wall mounted boiler, single and double panel radiators, wall thermostat and programmer (clockwork programmer)

Replace boiler, radiators & general

Replace wall mounted boiler, including draining down system & connecting flue and pipework - £1410

Replace single panel 600*1800mm radiator including reconnection & balancing - £295

Replace double panel 600*1600mm radiator including reconnection and balancing - £435

Replace thermostatic radiator valve - £100

Replace wall thermostat - £80

Replace programmer (clockwork) - £185

Clean system with powerflush - £355

Overhaul storage heaters, inc inspecting fusible link, replace thermostat, resetting thermal cutout and checking cable and testing - £125

Which has provided some top tips for finding a good plumber:

* Ask friends or family for someone they can recommend.

* Get at least 3 quotes. Ask for a quote on the whole job.

* It's best to use a member of a trade association, but don't take the plumbers word they are a member. Double check with the association.

* Get at least three quotes. Ask for a quote for the whole job as well as the hourly rate including the first hour or call-out charge.

* Ask how long the job will take. If one person tells you ten minutes while another indicates it could be hours, you'll know something is wrong.

The business end of a toilet plunger looks sort of like a ball with an opening to fit into the waste outlet of the toilet. One type that is very effective has an accordion like design and is all plastic, including the handle.