Overview: Plumbers
Plumbers look after the water coming into your house and the waste going out. In Canada, winter drives a lot of that work. Pipes split in unheated crawl spaces and along cold outside walls, and an outdoor tap left full in the fall can burst inside the wall. You'd also call one for a water heater that's quit, a toilet that runs all night or weak pressure at one tap.
Who can do the work depends on the province. Plumber is a compulsory trade in Ontario and Alberta, so the person on the tools needs a trade certificate or has to be a registered apprentice. In Quebec, the company you hire must belong to the CMMTQ, the corporation of master pipe mechanics, and hold the right licence. Members mark their vans with its logo.
Older houses can hide one more job. Health Canada says lead was allowed in service pipes and solder for decades, so it turns up most in older neighbourhoods. In most communities, the municipality is responsible for part of that pipe and you're responsible for the rest. Replacing both sections at the same time is the clean fix.
Our listings show what each company states on its own website: hours, licence claims and whether estimates are free. Work down through the province and city lists to reach plumbers in your area.
What plumbing work costs in Canada
Check the service-call minimum, then compare complete prices for a clearly defined repair or installation.
| Service | Planning budget | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| Service call with first-hour labour | C$170–C$260per visit including the first hour | One plumber during regular hours; service-area travel and the first hour of labour included.This is the minimum for the stated visit, even if the task is quick. Do not add it to a fixed repair price that already includes attendance.What this estimate coversIncludes in this budget: Regular service-area attendance; Up to one hour of diagnosis or repair labour Budget separately or confirm: Replacement parts; Labour after the first hour |
| Additional plumbing labour | C$120–C$140per plumber-hour | One plumber during regular hours after the included first-hour allowance.Ask for the billing increment and whether travel or parts runs count as paid time. This rate starts after the included allowance. Add this only when it is needed and is not already included in the agreed package.What this estimate coversIncludes in this budget: One plumber’s additional time Budget separately or confirm: Parts and materials; Additional workers |
| Like-for-like toilet replacement | C$225–C$450per installation | Customer-supplied standard toilet fitted to sound existing connections during regular hours.Ask whether the seal, supply line, old-toilet removal and disposal are included. Confirm a complete installation price with no extra callout.What this estimate coversIncludes in this budget: Installation labour and service attendance; Connection and function check Budget separately or confirm: Toilet purchase; Flange or floor repair |
| Like-for-like kitchen faucet replacement | C$200–C$450per installation | Customer-supplied kitchen faucet; matching existing holes, working shut-offs and clear under-sink access.Ask for the complete labour-and-attendance price. New supply hoses, seized fittings or a separate diagnostic investigation can add to it.What this estimate coversIncludes in this budget: Removing and fitting the faucet; Service attendance and leak check Budget separately or confirm: Faucet purchase; New valves or countertop alterations |
| Localized water-pipe leak repair | C$180–C$900per repair | One localized domestic water-pipe leak; pipe material, affected section and access agreed.Ask whether the diagnostic fee is credited and whether opening finished surfaces adds to the quote. Obtain the total after the leak is located.What this estimate coversIncludes in this budget: Agreed repair labour and fittings; Service attendance and testing Budget separately or confirm: Large-scale pipe replacement; Wall, ceiling or water-damage restoration |
What changes the price
- Regular-hours versus emergency attendance and minimum billing
- Access to pipes, working shut-offs and condition of connections
- Fixture supplied by you versus the contractor and disposal scope
Ask before accepting a quote
- Is the diagnostic fee credited against the repair, and when does hourly billing begin?
- Does the fixed price include fittings, disposal and testing for leaks?
- What happens to the price if the shut-off valve or flange also needs repair?
Compare the amount you will actually pay
- For hourly work, compare the callout including its labour allowance plus any additional time and parts.
- For a fixed installation or repair, ask for the final attendance-and-labour total; a credited diagnostic fee should not be counted twice.
Canadian context
Permit and inspection requirements depend on the jurisdiction and the work; ask who includes any required fees.
Planning amounts in Canadian dollars. Published tax treatment varies; confirm applicable taxes and the final total in your written quote. Rows can be different services, alternative packages or separately priced extras. Add only work that is needed and not already included in your quote.
Frequently asked questions
Could my older house still have a lead water pipe?
It could. Find the pipe that comes through the basement wall to your water meter. Health Canada describes lead as a soft, greyish-black metal that dents or scrapes easily with a knife. Until it's replaced, drink and cook with cold water only. Toronto owns the section up to the property line and leaves the rest to the homeowner, so ask your city about replacing both parts together.
Does a plumber need a licence or registration?
In Ontario and Alberta, the person doing the work needs a trade certificate or has to be a registered apprentice, because plumbing is a compulsory trade in both. Ask to see the certificate. In Quebec, the licence sits with the company, which must be a CMMTQ member holding the right licence subcategories. Gas work has its own rules, so ask separately about anyone touching a gas water heater.
What does my insurer expect if I'm away in winter?
Heat in the house and someone checking on it. The Insurance Bureau of Canada says standard policies cover burst-pipe damage when the pipes are in a heated part of the home and you took reasonable steps to keep the heat on. Most policies also want a competent person to check the house while you're gone, and your policy says how often. If it'll sit empty, shut off the water and drain the lines.
Should the outdoor tap be shut off before winter?
Yes, and take the hose off too. Close the indoor valve that feeds the tap, then open the outside tap so the line drains. A hose left attached traps water, and a frost-free tap can still split behind the siding that way. The damage often stays hidden until spring, when someone turns the tap on and the basement ceiling gets wet.
When is a water heater due for replacement?
Rusty hot water, a tank that weeps at the base, or rumbling as it heats all say it's near the end. A leaking tank can't be repaired. If yours is rented, read the contract's buyout and return terms before booking anyone. In Ontario, a gas water heater has to go in through a TSSA registered contractor, and the technician needs a gas certificate. Ask to see both.
