How much does a plumber cost in Ireland?
Most plumbers in Ireland charge €50 to €80 an hour in 2026, on top of a call-out charge of €60 to €120 that usually covers the first half hour to hour on site. In Dublin the hourly rate is nearer €70 to €100. Everyday jobs are often quoted as a fixed price instead: a new tap is €80 to €140, a like-for-like toilet €150 to €250, and a replacement hot water cylinder €600 to €1,100. Emergencies and evenings cost 1.5 to 2 times the normal rate.
Plumber rates in 2026
| Call-out (covers the first 30 to 60 minutes) | €60 to €120 |
| Hourly rate after that | €50 to €80 |
| Hourly rate in Dublin | €70 to €100 |
| Emergency or out of hours | 1.5 to 2 times the standard rate |
| Emergency call-out | from €150 |
Ask whether the call-out includes the first hour of work. Most do, so a quick job like a dripping tap often costs only the call-out plus parts.
What common jobs cost
| Replace a tap | €80 to €140 |
| Replace a toilet, like for like | €150 to €250 |
| Swap a radiator, like for like (radiator extra) | €150 to €280 |
| Replace a vented hot water cylinder | €600 to €1,100 |
| Fit an unvented (mains pressure) cylinder | €1,200 to €2,200 |
| Bathroom refit, plumbing labour only | €1,200 to €2,500 |
Prices checked September 2026. They cover labour and standard fittings; a tap, toilet or radiator you pick yourself is on top. Dublin and Cork sit at the top of each range, rural counties nearer the bottom.
Hot water cylinders
Swapping an old copper cylinder for a new one of the same type is €600 to €1,100 fitted. Moving to an unvented, mains-pressure cylinder costs more, €1,200 to €2,200, because it needs extra safety valves and a pipe run to take away discharge, but it gives stronger showers and frees up the attic tank. Moving or upsizing a cylinder is usually €900 to €1,600. If yours is leaking at the base or the water runs rusty, replace it before it fails: a burst cylinder can bring down a ceiling.
Keeping the cost down
- Group small jobs into one visit. Three jobs on one call-out cost far less than three call-outs.
- Know where your stopcock is. Turning the water off yourself in a leak can stop a small repair turning into a ceiling and a floor.
- Book routine work in the day, mid-week. Evening and weekend rates are where bills climb.
- Get the price in writing before work starts, and ask whether it includes VAT and parts.
Gas work needs an RGI
Any work on a gas boiler, cooker or pipework must, by law, be done by a Registered Gas Installer (RGI). Plenty of plumbers are also RGIs, but not all, so check on gasregister.ie before gas work starts. An RGI will certify the work, and you will be asked for that certificate when you sell the house.
Get prices for your job
Post the job free on SkillTrade and plumbers in your county will come back to you with their price. No account needed, no fees, and you choose how many can get in touch.
Post a plumbing job, freeAlso worth a read: what a boiler service costs and what an electrician costs.