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COSTS

What it costs to unblock a toilet

What a plumber charges to clear a blocked toilet, what makes it cost more, and what changes when the blockage is further down the drain.

IN SHORT

A plumber typically charges £75 to £150 to unblock a toilet, with an average of £112.50, according to Checkatrade. That covers labour and the call-out, with any parts extra. If the blockage is further down the drain, you pay for drain work such as rodding or jetting instead, and jetting costs more.

This page is part of our guide to plumbing costs in the UK. Every figure below has its source named and dated at the bottom of the page.

Plumber cost to unblock a toilet in the UK

Unblocking a toilet typically costs £75 to £150 with a plumber, according to Checkatrade, with an average of £112.50. That covers labour and the call-out. Parts aren't included, and the guide doesn't say whether VAT is. The job usually takes 30 minutes to two hours.

Other guides give similar or wider figures.

SOURCEPRICEWHAT IT COVERS
Checkatrade, May 2026£75 to £150, average £112.50Labour and call-out; parts extra
Which?, May 2026£80 to £300Fix or unblock a toilet; call-out, labour and materials, VAT extra
MyJobQuote, September 2026£75 to £100Blockage in the pan, cleared with a plunger or toilet snake, about 30 minutes; weekday rates
Gas Engineer Software, July 2026£75 to £150, average £122Blocked drains and toilets, from its users' job data

Which?'s range is wider: it covers fixing a toilet as well as unblocking one, and includes materials. Some guides list lower prices. MyBuilder and MyJobQuote's drain guide both put unblocking a toilet at about £50 to £70, without saying whether VAT or parts are included, so check what's in any quote you get.

Is it the toilet or the drain?

Where the blockage is makes the biggest difference to the price. A blockage in the toilet pan or the pipe just behind it is usually a quick job for a plumber with a plunger or a toilet snake. A blockage further down, in the drain outside or under the ground, is a bigger job.

Some general signs, which a plumber can confirm:

  • Just the toilet. If only one toilet is slow or blocked, and sinks, baths and showers drain normally, the blockage is likely in or near the toilet.
  • Further down. If several things are slow, water comes up in a shower or bath when the toilet flushes, or an outside drain cover is full or overflowing, the problem is likely in the drain.

Checkatrade draws the line this way. Plumbers handle toilets, sinks and the waste pipes inside your home. Drainage specialists handle outside, underground and shared drains. We didn't find any source that compares a plumber's price with a drainage company's for the same toilet blockage, so we can't say which is cheaper.

What drain work costs

If the blockage is in the drain, the price is for drain work rather than the toilet. Checkatrade gives these averages:

  • Drain rodding: £75 to £150, average £85
  • High-pressure jetting: £120 to £250, average £185
  • Both together: £180 to £400, average £270

Checkatrade puts a CCTV drain survey at £85 to £235 for a basic one. It's sometimes used to find where a stubborn blockage is.

Not every blockage is yours to pay for. MyJobQuote notes that blockages on the water company's network are cleared free, so if a plumber finds the problem is in the public sewer, it's worth checking with your water company.

What else changes the price

  • When you need it. Checkatrade's average for an emergency blocked or overflowing toilet is £100 in labour. MyJobQuote puts an emergency blocked toilet at about £175 including the call-out. See what emergency plumbers charge.
  • The call-out. MyJobQuote's toilet guide gives a call-out or first-hour fee of £75 to £100, then £30 to £40 for each extra half hour. Our guide to plumber call-out charges explains how to compare them.
  • Where you live. MyJobQuote says London plumbers charge about £30 to £100 more per day than elsewhere.

Before calling anyone, try a plunger: it can often clear a simple blockage in the pan. If water is rising towards the rim, don't flush again. Turn off the small isolation valve on the pipe feeding the cistern, if there is one.

Need a plumber in Bristol?

Fill My Day is coming soon to Bristol. It's for plumbing jobs that can wait a few hours, such as a slow toilet or sink, and sends them to checked plumbers nearby with free time. It's free to use at launch and isn't taking bookings yet. See what's launching in Bristol.

Where these figures come from

GOOD TO KNOW

Questions,
answered straight.

How much does a plumber charge to unblock a toilet?

Checkatrade puts it at £75 to £150, with an average of £112.50, covering labour and call-out. Which?'s survey gives a wider £80 to £300, including call-out and materials but not VAT.

How long does it take to unblock a toilet?

Checkatrade says 30 minutes to two hours. MyJobQuote puts a blockage in the pan, cleared with a plunger or toilet snake, at about 30 minutes.

Who pays if the blockage is in the sewer?

MyJobQuote notes that blockages on the water company's network are cleared free. If a plumber finds the problem is in the public sewer, check with your water company.

How much is an emergency toilet unblock?

Checkatrade's average for an emergency blocked or overflowing toilet is £100 in labour. MyJobQuote puts an emergency blocked toilet at about £175 including the call-out.

KEEP READING

Where to next.

FIRST STOP / BRISTOL

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