The cost of hiring a plumber in the UK can vary greatly depending on the type of job, the skill level of the plumber, and the location. Generally, you can expect to pay between £40 and £80 per hour for labor, or between £300 and £400 per day. For smaller jobs that will only take an hour or two, you may be charged a fixed rate based on the plumber's hourly rate. For larger jobs that will take more than five hours to complete, you may be charged between £25 and £30 per hour.
If you need a plumber to come out on short notice, such as during the night, on weekends, or during holidays, you should expect to pay a premium for their services. Emergency plumbing jobs can be especially expensive, as they require plumbers to drop everything and come out on short notice. The cost of plumbing services can also vary depending on location. Plumbers in London and the South East tend to charge more than those in other parts of the country.
On the other hand, in more rural locations such as Scotland and Wales, you would expect the daily rates for plumbers to be much lower. If you need a plumber to check for a problem with your home's plumbing system, you generally shouldn't waste a minute calling one. However, it's important to remember that different plumbing jobs require different skills, work times, and materials, so it's best to choose a plumber who charges per day if your job is likely to take longer than five hours to complete.