One of the most common questions we get is what a plumbing job is going to cost. Here is what fair prices look like in Rocky in 2026 and what should not be on the bill.
Call-out fee
$80 to $120 during business hours. $150 to $200 after hours. The call-out covers diagnosis and quoting. Usually absorbed into the job price if you go ahead with the work.
Common job prices
Blocked toilet or basin: $180 to $280.
Blocked main sewer line: $280 to $450 for the initial clear. Add $250 to $400 if a CCTV camera and water jet are needed.
Replace a leaking tap: $80 to $150 including the washer kit.
Replace a full tap assembly: $180 to $280 including supply of a mid-range mixer.
Replace a hot water system: $1,400 to $2,000 for like-for-like electric. $1,800 to $2,400 for gas. $3,200 to $4,500 for a heat pump after rebates.
Burst pipe repair: $250 to $600 depending on access. Under-slab pipes can stretch to $1,500 to $3,000.
Gas hot water service check: $180 to $240.
What can push the price up legitimately
Hard access (tight roof cavity, paved or tiled floors that need cutting through, old galvanised pipework where fittings need to be cut rather than undone). Long travel to Yeppoon or further out. Specialist work needed (gas fitting, backflow prevention).
What should be a fixed quote
Any job with a clear scope. Hot water replacement, tap replacement, basic drain clearing. You should get a fixed number, not an hourly rate.
What should be hourly
Discovery jobs where the scope might expand. Finding a leak in unknown plumbing. Diagnosing a complex water pressure problem. Hourly is fair here because the plumber genuinely does not know how long it will take.
Annual budget
If you own a Rockhampton home, set aside $500 to $800 a year for plumbing maintenance and small repairs. That covers most years. Big-ticket items like full hot water replacement or sewer relining come every 10 to 15 years.