Updated 16 Oct 2026HDB plumbing price list7 min read
How much do HDB plumbing jobs cost?
Quick answer
Most everyday HDB plumbing jobs cost about $50–250 in normal hours: $80–150 to clear a toilet choke, $50–90 to fit your own tap, $80–200 for an exposed pipe leak. Licensed jobs and hidden leaks cost more, and the tables below give typical ranges for each job, before GST and any after-hours surcharge.
Before the price: is it yours to pay?
In an HDB flat, some plumbing bills belong to the town council, PUB or HDB. Check the table before you book anyone.
| Problem | Who handles it | Who pays |
|---|---|---|
| Choke in the common stack or main sanitary pipe | Town council | Town council |
| Choke in your floor trap, toilet, sink or branch pipe | Your plumber | You |
| Choke caused by renovation cement or debris | Your plumber | You, under HDB rules |
| Leak on the pipe up to and including the water meter | PUB | PUB |
| Leak on any pipe after the meter | Your plumber (PUB Licensed Plumber) | You |
| Ceiling leak from the flat above | Both owners, with HDB Branch help | Wear and tear: HDB 50%, each owner 25% under Goodwill Repair Assistance. Renovation upstairs: upper owner 100% |
| Roof leak into a top-floor flat | Town council | Town council |
| Defect in a new flat | HDB | HDB, within the 1-year defects liability period |
New flats also carry a 5-year ceiling-leak warranty, which is void if the floor tiles have been changed or the waterproofing tampered with. For ceiling leaks, see how to report an HDB ceiling leak.
Chokes
Clearing a choke never needs a PUB licence. Price depends mostly on whether a plunger is enough or the job needs a drain machine.
| Job | Typical price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Toilet bowl choke, plunger or auger | $80–150 | Drain machine $150–250; bowl removed and refitted $200–400 |
| Floor trap choke, hair or soap | $50–120 | Drain machine $130–220; renovation debris $150–350 |
| Kitchen sink choke, by hand | $80–130 | Drain machine $140–220; new trap parts $20–60 |
| Wash basin choke | $80–130 | New bottle trap +$20–40; pop-up waste $60–120 |
| Bathtub choke | $80–150 | Estimate; little published data |
| Drain pipe choke, drain machine | $150–250 | High-pressure jetting $250–500 |
| Bathroom flood or kitchen flood | $80–250 | Usually a choke or a burst hose |
Before paying for a choke, try the steps in our guides to toilet bowl chokes, sink chokes and floor trap chokes.
Leaks and pipes
Water pipe repairs after the meter are licensed work. The big price jump comes when the leaking pipe is inside the wall.
| Job | Typical price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Exposed pipe leak, joint or short section | $80–200 | PUB Licensed Plumber |
| Burst pipe, exposed | $150–350 | Before any after-hours surcharge |
| Leak detection | $120–350 | Usually separate from the repair |
| Concealed pipe leak, one section rerouted as exposed pipe | $250–600 | Retiling and repainting extra |
| Concealed leak, several sections | $1,000–2,500 | Scope often grows once old pipes are checked |
| Re-piping, main supply pipe from the meter only | $1,500–2,000 | PUB Licensed Plumber |
| Re-piping, whole HDB flat | $1,500–5,000 | Depends on flat size and number of water points |
| Low water pressure, diagnosis | $50–120 | Often credited if the repair goes ahead |
| Waterproofing, injection | $450–950 | Per leak point, no hacking |
| Waterproofing, membrane over the existing floor | $500–2,000 | |
| Waterproofing, hack, redo and re-tile the floor | $1,500–3,800 | Full toilet redo $5,000–8,000 |
Water heaters
Labour and unit are priced separately. A storage heater needs a PUB Licensed Plumber; an instant heater does not. Any new power point needs a Licensed Electrical Worker.
| Job | Typical price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Storage water heater, like-for-like labour | $150–250 | PUB Licensed Plumber |
| Storage heater, new position or extra piping | $250–750 | Depends on pipe length and ceiling access |
| Storage heater unit, 15–50L | $150–450 | Retail; premium models cost more |
| Old heater removal and disposal | $30–80 | |
| Instant water heater, labour | $120–280 | Some retailers include a basic install at $70–90 |
| Instant heater unit | $110–380 | Pump and rain-shower models at the top |
| Water heater repair, common parts | $200–600 | Thin data; get a written quote |
| New power point by a Licensed Electrical Worker | $250–450 | Only if there is no suitable point |
For HDB-specific notes, see storage water heater installation in HDB flats.
Toilets, cisterns and bidets
| Job | Typical price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Toilet bowl replacement, labour only | $80–150 | Like-for-like; PUB Licensed Plumber |
| Toilet bowl, basic bowl supplied and installed | $150–500 | PUB Licensed Plumber |
| Two-piece bowl, unit only | $150–400 | |
| One-piece bowl, unit only | $300–700 | Premium or smart bowls $800–1,500 |
| Flush or cistern repair | $70–150 | No licence needed |
| New flush valve set | $140–250 | |
| Push button or lever only | $60–120 | |
| Toilet seat cover | $70–150 | Seat $20–60; fitting is usually the minimum charge |
| Bidet spray, supplied and installed | $70–150 | $50–100 to fit one you bought |
| Bidet seat, labour | $70–150 | Non-electric seat $110–130; electric $600–1,000 |
| Raised toilet seat, fitting | $60–150 | Estimate |
Older flats with cement-fixed bowls take longer to change, so expect the upper end. See toilet bowl replacement in HDB flats.
Taps, showers, sinks and fittings
None of these jobs needs a PUB licence, unless the pipe inside the wall has to change.
| Job | Typical price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Tap replacement, your own tap | $50–90 | Tap must be WELS 2-tick or better |
| Tap, basic WELS-ticked tap supplied | $130–250 | |
| Pull-out kitchen tap or wall mixer | $80–150 | Estimate |
| Flexible hose or angle valve, same visit | $20–50 | Per piece |
| Shower mixer, exposed, your own | $80–150 | Supplied and installed $180–400 |
| Concealed mixer cartridge, no hacking | $80–180 | Body change with hacking $250–600 |
| Shower set, your own | $120–150 | Rain shower $150–250; supplied $270–500 |
| Shower handset holder | $50–100 | Usually the minimum charge |
| Kitchen sink installation, top-mount | $150–280 | Undermount $200–350 |
| Wash basin installation, your own | $150–280 | Supplied with tap and waste $250–500 |
| Basin pop-up stopper | $60–120 | |
| Bottle trap, PVC | $60–100 | Chrome $80–150 |
Bathroom fittings
| Job | Typical price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Grab bar, per bar | $50–80 | Three bars $180–250; HDB EASE sets $15–65 if eligible |
| Foldable shower seat, supplied and installed | $200–450 | Limited data |
| Exhaust fan, same opening | $120–180 | Supplied and installed $210–280 |
| Acrylic ceiling panel with lighting | $120–220 | Standard HDB toilet |
| Rubbish chute hopper hinge | $80–150 | Estimate; ask your town council first |
Fees on top, and the town council rates
The tables above assume normal hours. These charges sit on top, depending on the firm:
- Transport $10–30, when charged separately.
- Inspection $50–120, often waived if the job goes ahead.
- After-hours surcharge $40–150, or 30–100% on the job. An emergency call-out quoted all-in is typically $150–350.
- GST at 9%, if the firm is GST-registered and quotes before tax.
Your town council's handyman contractor charges much less for a short list of jobs during office hours. Sembawang Town Council's 2026–27 rates include $40 to clear a choke, $60 for a supplied tap, $20 to fit your own tap, $70 to repair a cistern with new fittings, $40 for a PVC bottle trap, and $250 for a pedestal toilet pan including hacking and reinstatement. Rates differ by council, the job is a private arrangement with the contractor, and evenings and Sundays are negotiated separately. More on this in how to pay a fair price.
How to read an HDB plumbing quote
Most private quotes for HDB jobs include transport, labour, standard materials such as tape, sealant and small connectors, testing and basic clean-up. They usually exclude:
- the tap, bowl, heater or other unit, unless the quote says supply and install
- hacking, retiling and repainting after concealed pipe work
- electrical work, which needs a Licensed Electrical Worker
- anything on common property, which is the town council's
- the after-hours surcharge and GST, unless stated
Three things move a price within its range: access (exposed pipe or inside a wall, a loose bowl or a cement-fixed one), method (plunger or drain machine), and time of day. HDB jobs usually sit at the lower end of each range because pipe runs are short and layouts are standard. If your quote is above the top of a range, ask which of those three is the reason.
Every figure here is an estimate gathered in October 2026. With us, you send a photo on WhatsApp and get a price range before anyone comes, and the final price is agreed before work starts. See HDB plumber or the full price index.
Related services
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to install a bidet spray in Singapore?
A basic bidet spray set supplied and installed typically costs $70–150. If you bought the set yourself, fitting it is usually the minimum charge, about $50–100. Transport may be added if the firm charges it separately.
How much should I pay for a plumber?
For a small HDB job in normal hours, about $50–200 all-in is typical: $80–150 for a toilet choke, $50–90 to fit your own tap, $80–200 for an exposed pipe leak. Add $40–150 for evenings and public holidays, and 9% GST if the firm quotes before tax.
How much does it cost to replace a toilet flush system?
Repairing or adjusting the flush mechanism typically costs $70–150, and a new flush valve set $140–250. Some town council contractors charge about $70 to repair a cistern with new fittings during office hours. Flush and cistern parts do not need a PUB Licensed Plumber.
What do local plumbers charge on top of the job?
Transport of $10–30 when charged separately, an inspection fee of $50–120 that is often waived if you go ahead, and an after-hours surcharge of $40–150 or 30–100%. GST-registered firms add 9% GST. Ask whether a quote is all-in before comparing.
Who pays if the common stack is choked?
The town council. It maintains the main sanitary stack and common property, so call its maintenance or emergency line. You pay only for chokes in your own floor trap, toilet, sink or branch pipe, and for any choke caused by renovation debris.
Which HDB plumbing jobs need a PUB Licensed Plumber?
Storage water heaters, toilet bowl changes, sanitary piping, and installing or repairing water pipes. Taps, shower sets, basins, sinks, cistern parts and clearing chokes do not. See our guide on checking a plumber's licence.
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