Plumber

Plumber: hourly rates, licences and what to check in Canada

Updated 4 November 2026

In Canada a plumber usually charges by the hour: about CA$80 to CA$150 for standard work in most cities, CA$79 to CA$140 an hour in Montreal itself, and about CA$60 to CA$100 in rural parts of the Montreal region. Vancouver rates are higher, around CA$100 to CA$200 an hour. For a current price, describe the job on BlaBlaPrice and compare offers from licensed plumbers in your city.

Licences: what the rules say

Plumbing is a licensed trade, and fees differ by city and province. In Toronto, a new master plumber licence costs CA$495.12 in total, including the application fee. Mississauga charges CA$255.21 for a new plumber licence and CA$220.04 to renew. In New Brunswick a plumber's licence costs CA$50 new or on annual renewal, and a plumbing contractor's licence CA$400. Ask for the licence number and check it with the issuing city or province.

Season: winter means burst pipes

From December to February, frozen and burst pipes drive up calls in Montreal, Ottawa, Calgary and Toronto, so plumbers are busiest then. In November it pays to check outdoor taps, the water heater and the basement drain before the cold arrives. Booking a visit early is cheaper than an emergency call in January.

How plumbing is quoted here

Plumbers quote hourly, and materials are often billed on top, so ask whether they are included. Ask whether the quote includes tax, and whether the price is per hour or fixed for the job. Visits are arranged across Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver, Calgary and Ottawa, and travel time can change the price for jobs outside the city.

What to write in your request

Describe the problem or the work (repair, new installation, drain, water heater), the type of building, whether you need a plumber on a set schedule or for one visit, the city, your budget in CA$, and whether the job is urgent. Mention any earlier work and whether a permit is needed, so that offers come with the right credentials.

Send the request on BlaBlaPrice in one message. It is free for buyers: the AI reads it, asks for missing details, looks through sellers' websites and price lists across Canada, and shows the prices and businesses it found. Plumbers registered on BlaBlaPrice reply in the chat with their own price, terms and availability, and your contacts stay hidden until you decide to share them. For related trades see installer and construction and finishing works.