For most plumbing jobs above a few hundred dollars — yes, you should get multiple quotes. For genuine emergencies where water is actively damaging your home, you call whoever can get there fastest and deal with pricing afterward. For everything else, taking the time to compare is worth it.
“A homeowner who calls three plumbers before deciding almost always makes a better hire than one who calls one. Not because the cheapest quote is always right — it rarely is — but because the comparison forces each plumber to be explicit about what they’re including. That clarity alone is worth the extra calls.”
— Steven Obi, licensed master plumber with 19 years of experience in residential and light commercial plumbing in the local area
Table of Contents
When to Get Multiple Quotes
Always get multiple quotes for:
– Any job over $500
– Water heater replacement
– Drain replacement or re-routing
– Bathroom or kitchen rough-in
– Full or partial home re-piping
– Sump pump installation
– Any job that requires a permit
It’s reasonable to skip comparison quotes for:
– Genuine emergencies with active water damage
– Very small repairs under $200 where the diagnosis is clear
– A plumber you have a strong established relationship with and trust
How Many Quotes Should You Get?
For most plumbing jobs, two to three quotes is the right range. Two gives you a comparison. Three gives you enough to identify outliers — a quote that’s dramatically higher or lower than the others deserves an explanation either way.
What to Watch for When Comparing Quotes
Quotes are only useful if they’re based on the same scope. Before comparing prices, confirm each plumber is quoting on identical work — the same materials, the same inclusions, the same permit responsibility. A lower quote that excludes the permit fee, disposal, or drywall repair after a wall access isn’t a better deal. It’s a smaller scope.
Ask each plumber explicitly: what’s included and what’s not? See: Questions to Ask When Getting a Plumbing Quote
The Lowest Quote Isn’t Always the Best Value
A quote significantly below the others usually means one of three things: something has been excluded, lower-quality materials are being used, or the plumber is unlicensed and cutting costs on compliance and insurance. Verify the licence of every plumber you’re quoting, and ask each one to explain any significant price differences.
For a full guide on how to evaluate plumbing quotes: Questions to Ask When Getting a Plumbing Quote
Related Questions
- Questions to Ask a Plumber Before You Hire One
- Questions to Ask When Getting a Plumbing Quote
- How Much Does a Plumber Cost in 2026?
- Red Flags When Hiring a Plumber
Have a question we didn’t cover? Submit it below.