How it works
A fair plumbing price in three steps
- Pick your job and your cityRates, permit rules and housing-stock issues for your city.
- Check the typical price rangeTypical California prices for every job, before anyone shows up.
- A licensed local plumber calls backC-36 licensed contractors — verify any license at cslb.ca.gov.
Plumbing cost guides
What should it cost before anyone is standing in your kitchen? Typical California ranges, what drives the price, and the questions to ask:
Drain Cleaning$150–$500
Clogged sink, tub or floor drain cleared
Hydro Jetting$300–$800
High-pressure water jetting for grease and roots
Sewer Camera Inspection$150–$600
Video diagnosis of your sewer lateral
Sewer Line Repair & Replacement$1,500–$25,000
Spot repairs, trenchless lining and pipe bursting
Water Heater Repair$150–$700
No hot water, leaks, pilot and element fixes
Water Heater Installation$1,300–$3,500
Tank replacement, code upgrades, permits, haul-away
Tankless Water Heater$2,800–$6,000
On-demand hot water — installation and service
Leak Detection$150–$600
Electronic location of hidden water leaks
Slab Leak Repair$500–$4,000
Under-foundation leak repair, reroute or repipe
Whole-House Repiping$4,500–$15,000
Replace failing supply pipes with copper or PEX
Toilet Repair & Installation$150–$800
Running, leaking, clogged or new toilets
Faucet & Sink Services$150–$600
Dripping faucets, new fixtures, sink installs
Garbage Disposal$150–$500
Repair, replacement and new installs
Gas Line Services$300–$2,000
New lines, leak repair, appliance hookups, earthquake valves
Water Softener & Filtration$1,000–$3,500
Whole-house softening, conditioners, RO systems
Water Pressure Problems$150–$800
Pressure regulators, low flow, banging pipes
Emergency Plumber$200–$1,000
24/7 response: bursts, backups, no water
Find a plumber in your city
Local rates, permit rules and the problems specific to your neighborhood's housing stock — we cover 145 California cities:
- Los AngelesLos Angeles County — Los Angeles metro
- San DiegoSan Diego County — San Diego County
- San JoseSanta Clara County — San Francisco Bay Area
- San FranciscoSan Francisco County — San Francisco Bay Area
- FresnoFresno County — Central Valley
- SacramentoSacramento County — Sacramento area
- Long BeachLos Angeles County — Los Angeles metro
- OaklandAlameda County — San Francisco Bay Area
- BakersfieldKern County — Central Valley
- AnaheimOrange County — Orange County
- StocktonSan Joaquin County — Central Valley
- IrvineOrange County — Orange County
- RiversideRiverside County — Inland Empire
- Santa AnaOrange County — Orange County
- Chula VistaSan Diego County — San Diego County
- FremontAlameda County — San Francisco Bay Area
- Santa ClaritaLos Angeles County — Los Angeles metro
- San BernardinoSan Bernardino County — Inland Empire
- ModestoStanislaus County — Central Valley
- FontanaSan Bernardino County — Inland Empire
- Moreno ValleyRiverside County — Inland Empire
- OxnardVentura County — Los Angeles metro
- Huntington BeachOrange County — Orange County
- GlendaleLos Angeles County — Los Angeles metro
Key facts
- Plumber Comparator is an independent information and referral site for California homeowners. It is not a plumbing contractor, does not list, rank or review plumbers, and its editor is not a licensed plumber.
- Coverage: 145 California cities in 10 regions, typical cost ranges for 17 plumbing services, and 247 guides.
- Typical labor rates run from $95/hr in the Central Valley to $250/hr in San Francisco; water heater installation typically costs $1,300–$3,500 and drain cleaning $150–$500. These are broad ranges, not quotes.
- In California, plumbing work of $1,000 or more (labor and materials), or that needs a permit, must be done by a contractor licensed by the CSLB (Business and Professions Code § 7048); licenses can be checked at cslb.ca.gov.
- Water heaters must be braced or strapped against earthquakes (Health and Safety Code § 19211).
- Local data on city pages comes from water utility annual reports (Consumer Confidence Reports) and official city permit pages, cited on each page.
- Paid printable guides (one-time card payment via Stripe, instant access, refund on request within 14 days): California Homeowner Plumbing Pack ($59); California Plumbing Price Book 2026 ($12); Water Heater Replacement Kit for California Homes ($9).
- Quote requests are free for homeowners and are shared with local plumbers only with the homeowner's explicit consent.
- Publisher: Clément Lacaille (Clem corp, sole proprietorship, Tech-Bharat brand), 19 avenue des Rochers, 94170 Le Perreux-sur-Marne, France. Contact: admin@tech-bharat.com.
- Seller of the paid guides: LACANGEL GROUP, SAS, SIREN 995 268 018, VAT FR21995268018, 1 rue Marguerin, 75014 Paris, France (administration@lacangel.fr).
After you send your request
- Describe the job — two minutes in the form above: what's broken, where, how urgent.
- Get called back — a licensed local plumber contacts you to discuss the job and price it.
- Decide with the facts — compare against our cost guides and hire when you're comfortable. It's free and there's no obligation.
Start here: the guides homeowners use most
- How Much Does a Plumber Cost in California? 2026 Rates ExplainedHow much does a plumber cost in California? Typical hourly rates ($95-$250), service call fees, flat-rate vs hourly pricing, and regional differences.
- How to Hire a Plumber in CaliforniaA step-by-step guide to hiring a plumber in California: CSLB license checks, insurance, the $25,000 bond, written estimates, and reviews that matter.
- CSLB License CheckLearn how to verify a California plumbing contractor on cslb.ca.gov, what the C-36 license means, and why unlicensed work over $1,000 is illegal.
- Emergency Plumber Costs in CaliforniaEmergency plumber costs in California: after-hours and weekend rates of 1.5x-3x normal, what truly counts as an emergency, and how to limit water damage.
- Water Heater LifespanMost tank water heaters last 8-12 years. Learn the warning signs, when a repair makes sense, when replacement wins, and what each option costs in California.
- Tank vs Tankless Water Heater in CaliforniaTank water heaters cost $1,300-$3,500 installed vs $2,800-$6,000 for tankless. Compare running costs, gas line upsizing, Title 24, and which fits your home.
- Slab Leaks in CaliforniaHot floor spots, spiking water bills, and hissing pipes can signal a slab leak. Why California homes get them, detection, and repair costs of $500-$4,000+.
- Trenchless Sewer Repair in CaliforniaTrenchless sewer repair in California: CIPP lining and pipe bursting run $80-$250 per foot, $4,000-$15,000 for most laterals. When it works, when it does not.
- Hard Water in CaliforniaMuch of California has hard to very hard water. How scale damages heaters and fixtures, softener options and costs, and local salt-softener restrictions.
Who publishes this site
Plumber Comparator is published by Clément Lacaille at Tech-Bharat. It is a research and referral site, not a plumbing company: we do not list, rank or review plumbers. Our methodology page explains where every cost range comes from, which public data we use (water utility reports, city permit pages, CSLB rules) and what we cannot know without seeing your home.