Is your plumbing quote fair?
A drain quote is fair when it sits inside the typical Sydney range for that job, states the total including GST and call-out, and says whether a camera inspection is included. For example, clearing a blocked sewer main typically costs $300–$800 in business hours, and call-out fees run $0–$200.
Block Drains' free Quote Checker compares the quote a plumber gave you with what Sydney homeowners typically pay for that job, using the same price register as our cost guides. No sign-up, prices verified October 2026.
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Send a photo or describe the problem. You'll get the likely cause and the fixed price before anyone comes out.
Scan the problemTypical Sydney plumbing prices to check against
Business hours, including GST, verified October 2026.
| Item | Typical Sydney price |
|---|---|
| Call-out fee | $0–$200 |
| Plumber hourly rate | $80–$250 |
| After-hours hourly rate | $120–$250 |
| Blocked sink or basin | $150–$300 |
| Blocked shower or laundry drain | $150–$350 |
| Blocked toilet | $180–$350 |
| Hydro jetting a blocked drain | $300–$650 |
| CCTV drain inspection | $200–$550 |
| Blocked stormwater drain | $400–$650 |
| Blocked sewer main (jet + camera) | $300–$800 |
| Tree root cutting in a drain | $400–$1,500 |
| Spot dig and drain repair | $1,500–$5,000 |
| Pipe relining | $3,000–$12,000 |
| Excavate and replace a drain | $10,000–$30,000 |
| Relining, per metre (100 mm) | $450–$800 |
| Relining setup fee | $2,000–$3,000 |
| Relining, per junction | $500–$800 |
Renting? Who pays for the plumber
In NSW it depends on what caused the blockage. Pick the likely cause:
How we judge a quote
Each verdict compares your quote with the low, typical and high prices in our Sydney price register for that job. Area modifiers and after-hours loadings are applied the same way as in our cost guides. A quote that leaves out the call-out fee is compared as if you'd pay one. Relining quotes are priced from the length, junctions and pipe size using Sydney businesses' published setup, per-metre and per-junction rates. Itemised bills are checked line by line against typical call-out fees, hourly rates, jetting and camera prices. Read the methodology.
Signs a quote is a bait-and-switch
A fair verdict here doesn't help if the price changes on the day. The usual signs are a low 'from' price with no total, no mention of the call-out fee, a fixed price that becomes hourly once the plumber looks at the drain, and a costly repair recommended without footage. How to spot a bait-and-switch plumbing quote covers what a fair quote includes and what to do if the price jumps on site. If you think a plumber misled you about the price, you can lodge a complaint with NSW Fair Trading.
Questions
- How does the Quote Checker work?
- Pick the type of quote: a drain job, relining, a repair or dig-up, or an itemised bill. Enter the amounts and what's included, and we compare them with typical Sydney prices for that job, adjusted for area and time of day where it applies.
- Can I get a free plumbing quote online?
- Yes. Block Drains shows a fixed price online for every drain clearing job before you book, with no call-out fee. Relining and repairs depend on what the camera finds, so they're quoted in writing after a $249 camera diagnostic, which comes off the job if you go ahead.
- How do I check a pipe relining quote?
- Enter the length, the number of junctions, the pipe size and the total in the relining check. Sydney businesses that itemise relining typically charge $450–$800 per metre for a 100 mm drain, plus a setup fee and a price per junction, and the check prices your job the same way.
- Is a cheap quote a good quote?
- Not always. Quotes well under the usual range often leave out the call-out fee, the camera inspection or jetting, or switch to hourly billing once the plumber is on site. Ask what's included before you agree.
- Is a high quote a rip-off?
- Difficult access, deep pipes, after-hours work and repairs can all justify a higher price. If it's above the usual range, ask for it itemised and get a second quote.
- How do I spot a bait-and-switch quote?
- Watch for a 'from' price with no total, a call-out fee that isn't mentioned, a fixed price that turns hourly once the plumber is on site, or an expensive repair recommended without showing you the camera footage. Get the total price, what it includes and what would change it in writing before anyone arrives.
- Do you keep my quote?
- We store the job type, area and amount, without your name or contact details, to keep our Sydney price data current.