Plumbing & utilities

Plumber and utilities: how to order pipe replacement, fittings and leak repair

Updated 20 October 2026

Planned work and an emergency are different orders

Plumbing jobs fall into two groups. The first is planned work: replacing pipes, installing a bathtub or shower, connecting a washing machine, water heater or mixer tap, laying water and drainage lines, fitting radiators. The second is emergencies: a leak, a blocked drain, a burst pipe.

In an emergency, speed of arrival comes first, so write “urgent” in the request straight away, and say what is happening. For planned work it pays to arrange things in advance and compare several offers.

What to put in your request

• What to do — replacing pipes, fitting heating, connecting appliances, stopping a leak.
• Scope — number of points, radiators, metres of pipe.
• Property — flat or house, bathroom, kitchen, floor.
• Materials — pipes and fittings yours or the plumber’s; type of pipe (PPR, CPVC, PEX).
• Urgency — an emergency, or at a convenient time.
• Address and budget.

Example: “Cape Town, flat, bathroom. I need to replace the cold and hot water line to the bathroom and the branches to the bath, basin and washing machine with CPVC pipes, pipes supplied by me. There is a leak in the wall, urgent, today or tomorrow. Budget up to R 2,300.”

How to compare offers

A plumber may quote per point, per metre of pipe or for the whole job, so watch the units. Also ask:

• whether chasing the wall, filling the grooves and removing waste are in the price;
• who buys the materials and fittings, and whether there is a margin of spare;
• whether the system is pressure-tested after installation;
• the warranty on the work;
• the call-out charge, if it is separate.

How it works on BlaBlaPrice

You write a request on the home page, and plumbers in your city reply in chat with prices and arrival times. They see where their offer stands and can improve their terms. You see reviews next to the offers, and your number stays hidden until you choose a plumber. Details are on the “How it works” page.

Common mistakes

Most often people save on materials: cheap pipes and fittings can fail at the worst moment. The second mistake is hiding joints in a wall without a pressure test. The third is not switching the water off in advance and not knowing where the main line is shut off.

A note on emergencies: if there is a leak, close the water at the main valve and switch off nearby electrical appliances. This reduces damage before the plumber arrives. After the repair, take photos of the finished work and keep the receipts and the warranty if the plumber bought the materials.

When the pipes are done, move on to finishing: finishing work. If the renovation is broader, see turnkey renovation, and to power a water heater and pumps you will need electrical installation.