Plumbing is the most common emergency repair in any home — and the one where knowing a fair price ahead of time saves you the most. Typical 2026 costs below, from a simple drain clear to a sewer line dig.
Common repairs & typical costs
| Repair | Typical national range (2026) |
|---|---|
| Leaking pipe repair | $150–$1,500 |
| Drain clearing | $110–$800 |
| Water heater repair | $300–$700 |
| Toilet repair | $110–$400 |
| Faucet / fixture replacement | $150–$400 |
| Sewer line repair | $1,200–$4,500 |
What affects your cost
- Access — pipes in slabs or finished walls cost multiples of exposed ones
- Emergency vs. scheduled timing
- Age and material of existing pipes (galvanized steel and polybutylene flag bigger jobs)
- Fixture quality you choose
Repair or replace?
Repair isolated leaks. Replace when the house still has galvanized steel or polybutylene supply lines, or when leaks keep appearing in different spots — that is a system failing, not a part. Water heaters: repair under ~8 years old, replace at 10+.
Guides
In-depth, citation-backed cost guides for this category are in production and will appear here soon. Meanwhile, the instant estimator gives you a tailored, location-adjusted ballpark in 30 seconds.
Costs above are 2026 national ranges compiled from public cost guides (Angi, HomeGuide, HomeAdvisor, This Old House, Forbes Home, Fixr and similar). Your local price depends on your region — the instant estimator adjusts these to your ZIP code. These figures are informational, not a quote; always compare multiple local quotes.