Summary
- Shut off the water first, call second.
- Out-of-hours call-outs carry a 50–100% premium.
- Get the call-out fee and hourly rate in writing before they set off.
- Photograph everything for the insurance claim.
Quick answer
Call an emergency plumber for uncontrolled water, no water at all, a burst pipe, sewage backing up, or any smell of gas. Out-of-hours call-outs run $150–450 in the US and £120–350 in the UK for the first hour, plus parts.
Call immediately
Can usually wait for normal hours
Waiting until the next working day typically halves the labour cost.
The first five minutes
What it costs
| Item | US | UK |
|---|---|---|
| Out-of-hours call-out (first hour) | $150–450 | £120–350 |
| Additional hour | $90–200 | £60–130 |
| Normal-hours hourly rate | $75–160 | £45–100 |
| Burst pipe repair | $200–800 | £150–600 |
| Clearing a blocked main drain | $200–600 | £120–400 |
Nights, weekends and public holidays typically carry a 50–100% premium.
Before you hang up
Ask for the call-out fee, the hourly rate after the first hour, whether parts are extra, and an estimated arrival window. Get it by text or email. An emergency is exactly when verbal pricing turns into a disputed invoice.
Insurance
Most home insurance covers sudden water damage from a burst pipe but not gradual leaks or the cost of fixing the pipe itself. Photograph everything before you clean up, and keep the plumber's invoice and report.