The short answer
Budget $180–$350 for an after-hours call-out and initial make-safe work, with the repair quoted separately. This indicative range includes GST and was checked on 21 October 2026; Panther’s phone line is open 24/7, and attendance and the applicable charge are confirmed on the call.
Costs at a glance
AUD · including GSTIndicative budgets for the scope below, checked 21 October 2026. Confirm the total and any additional work before proceeding.
After-hours call-out (nights, weekends and public holidays)
$180–$350per visit
Coming out after hours and making the problem safe; the repair is quoted on site.
Accessible burst pipe repair
$250–$650per job
Isolating the water, replacing an accessible failed section and testing.
Allow separately: after-hours attendance, excavation, opening walls and reinstatement.
Standard blocked drain clear
$220–$450per job
Clearing one drain with the electric eel and testing the flow.
Allow separately: camera inspection, jetting and repairs.
CCTV drain inspection with high-pressure jetting
$450–$900per job
Camera inspection, jetting one accessible line and showing you the footage.
Allow separately: excavation, pipe repair and unusually long or complex drains.
Deal with immediate danger first
If water is escaping, turn off the property supply only if you can do so safely. Keep away from wet electrical equipment and sewage. Do not enter an unsafe area to take photos or reach a valve.
If you smell gas, leave without using switches or a phone inside. From outside, call 000 if anyone is in immediate danger, or your gas distributor’s emergency number. See Jemena’s gas safety guidance. A plumbing booking comes after the immediate hazard is addressed.
What does an emergency call-out cover?
The after-hours band covers coming out and initial work to make the problem safe. It is not the price of every final repair. The plumber may need to isolate the supply or stop use of an affected fixture before confirming the repair scope.
Panther provides 24/7 emergency phone contact. Describe the fault and suburb so we can confirm the next step, availability and cost. Do not assume an advertised phone service guarantees arrival within a particular number of minutes.
How does the repair affect the total?
| Situation | How to think about the quote |
|---|---|
| Accessible burst water pipe | Attendance plus the agreed section repair, with any overlap clarified |
| Overflowing drain | Attendance plus the required clearing or camera/jetting scope |
| Concealed or buried damage | Make-safe work first; access and permanent repair may need a further quote |
| Part not immediately available | Temporary isolation may be possible, with completion arranged separately |
The repair bands above exclude after-hours attendance. Ask for a combined total for the work being authorised and whether any make-safe labour is already included. Avoid adding overlapping items twice.
What can wait until business hours?
A contained minor drip with a working isolation valve is different from uncontrolled water loss or sewage entering a home. Describe the situation by phone rather than deciding from the price alone. Safe isolation can sometimes allow a repair to be planned, but never leave an active hazard unattended to save an attendance charge.
A hot-water fault without leakage or another danger may need diagnosis and an available part rather than immediate replacement. Record the system type and visible fault code without opening covers.
Questions to ask before the visit
- What is the attendance charge at this time and on this day, including GST?
- What initial work does it include?
- Will the repair be quoted before it starts?
- What happens if access is difficult or a part is unavailable?
- Is any return visit included or charged separately?
Call 0404 939 121 for an urgent problem. Have the suburb, access instructions and fault description ready. Use the online enquiry form for planned work; it is not the best route for an active emergency.
About the author
Panther Plumbing Group
Family-owned plumbing repairs, maintenance and installations across Sydney. We assess the job, explain the options and discuss the scope and cost before work proceeds.
Meet Panther First published . Updated .
