If you have a job that has anything to do with water, pipework or drainage in your home then you are very likely to need the help of a licensed plumber. This could involve something as simple as changing tap washers, to unblocking a toilet or helping plan and install the plumbing on your kitchen or bathroom reno.

The bottom line is that they are crucial to keeping your home safe and your plumbing in working order.

Scroll down for everything you need to know about plumbers, including:

• What jobs plumbers do
• The most common plumbing issues
• The cost of hiring a plumber
• How to hire a reputable local plumber
• Plumbers licensing and insurance
• Getting quotes from plumbers

Let’s start with an overview of what plumbers do day-to-day.

What do plumbers do?

Domestic or residential plumbers primarily work with installing, maintaining or repairing any part of your home’s pipework that carries water throughout your home. This could include connecting appliances, like a hot water system, or installing/repairing fixtures like a sink, toilet or bath. If you are renovating or building from scratch a plumber will need to plan and install new pipework, move existing plumbing and install new fixtures and appliances.

Some plumbers also train to work with gas, so may also be licensed to install/repair/maintain things like gas water heaters. In some states there is also a separate roof plumbing licence class, for people who specialise in roofing and guttering. There are also commercial plumbers, who specialise in working on larger projects, like installing the plumbing in a block of flats or commercial building projects, which is very different work to domestic plumbing.

The most common plumbing issues

Plumbers get to deal with a whole range of issues in our homes everyday, including:

• Repairing pipes, blockages and leaks
• Installing new plumbing in kitchens, bathrooms and laundries
• Installing and repairing appliances in your home, including hot water systems and drainage systems
• Installing and repairing guttering and roof plumbing systems
• Installing and repairing sanitation, sewage and drainage systems
• Maintaining heating, cooling and ventilation systems
• Emergency plumbing jobs, which occurs after-hours

You are also going to want to know how much a plumber costs.

How much does it cost to hire a plumber?

According to our data, plumbers in Australia charge between $100 and $150 per hour, depending on your location and their expertise.

They will also usually charge a call-out fee between $60 and $100 on top of the hourly rate - though some may waive this. The cost to hire an emergency plumber also varies, with some plumbers charging their usual hourly rates, though most will charge extra.

You can learn more about the cost of hiring a plumber in our article dedicated to this very topic.

How to hire a reputable local plumber

It's all about educating yourself so you know what to look for when you hire a local plumber.

Key questions to ask them include:

• Do you have experience on my plumbing job?
• Are you licensed?
• Are you insured to work in my home?
• Can you provide a written quote?
• Do you have references I can follow up?

References are crucial, and you should see if they have positive feedback from recent clients. You can also check their hipages profile to see what type of feedback people are giving them.

Plumbers licensing and insurance

Did you know that your plumber needs to be licensed?

Together with builders, electricians and gasfitters, plumbers are part of a group of ‘essential’ or ‘critical’ tradies who must be licensed to advertise themselves for hire - no matter the value of the job. Hire a licensed plumber and you know they have the right qualifications for your job.

You should also check if you are getting any gas work done, that your plumber is qualified to do this type of work. All licensed plumbers are issued a photo ID card which details the types of work they are qualified to carry out - so just ask them to produce it or run an online check to confirm this.

You may come across some plumbers who advertise themselves as Master Plumbers. They have the same licence as other plumbers, but as members of a state-based Master Plumbers Association, they have access to the latest industry training and expertise. This allows them to maintain high standards and keep up with the latest developments in the sector.

Plumbers should also be covered by public liability insurance, which protects the tradie in case they cause property damage or injury while working in your home. Without public liability insurance, they may not be able to pay for the damage, replacement or repair.

Now we’ve covered the essential bits about plumbers, there’s a final step before you hire one.

Getting quotes from plumbers

Now we’ve covered the essential bits about plumbers, there’s a final step before you hire one.

You may be tempted to accept the first quote to get the work going asap. We advise getting at least three, especially for larger jobs. Why? You may be shocked by the difference in prices. Plumbers with more experience could charge more to reflect this.

Written quotes are also important. No matter the size of your plumbing job, always request a fully itemised quote including the cost of all materials used. A written quote prevents misunderstandings or miscommunication that can happen if you rely on a verbal quote.