Plumbers by home type and urgency
PUB licensed plumber
In Singapore, storage water heaters, toilet bowls, water service pipes and sanitary piping must be installed or replaced by a PUB Licensed Plumber, and engaging an unlicensed one for this work is an offence. Taps, mixers, shower sets, basins, sinks and clearing chokes do not need a licence.
Typical price
$80–$250labour per job, unit extraTypical job time
1–3 hours
Estimate, confirm on WhatsApp
PUB rule: this work must be done by a PUB Licensed Plumber. Since 2018 it is an offence to engage an unlicensed plumber for it. You can check any plumber on PUB's Licensed Plumber Directory.What needs a licensed plumber
When to call
- You are installing or replacing an electric storage water heater.
- You are installing, changing or moving a toilet bowl.
- You are installing or replacing water service pipes, including re-piping during a renovation.
- A water service pipe is leaking and needs an urgent repair.
- You are adding, moving or altering sanitary piping, for example when a toilet is relocated or a new waste pipe is run.
Common jobs
- Replacing an old storage water heater with a new one of similar size.
- Replacing a cracked or worn toilet bowl like for like.
- Abandoning a leaking concealed pipe and running new exposed piping.
- Re-piping an older flat or house during renovation.
- Repairing an urgent leak on a water service pipe.
Before you call
Safe things to try first
- Search PUB's Licensed Plumber Directory on the PUB website by the plumber's name or licence number before the visit.
- When you ask for a quote, ask whether your job is licensed work, so the right person is sent.
- Keep the invoice showing who did the work. For water service works, the Licensed Plumber submits a Certificate of Satisfactory Completion to PUB within 7 days.
What we do
- 1Look at your photos and description and tell you whether the job is licensed work under PUB's rules or work that does not need a licence.
- 2If it is licensed work, tell you before the visit, so you can check the Licensed Plumber's name and licence number on PUB's directory.
- 3Quote the job, stating whether the unit, removal of the old unit and any electrical work by a Licensed Electrical Worker are included.
- 4Carry out and test the work. For water service works, the Licensed Plumber submits a Certificate of Satisfactory Completion to PUB within 7 days.
- 5Explain what was done, and make sure the invoice clearly records who did the licensed work.
How much it costs
Most pub licensed plumber jobs in Singapore cost $80–$250 (labour per job, unit extra). This is an estimate; the final price is confirmed on WhatsApp or on site before work starts.
- Storage water heater replacement, labour$150–$250
- Toilet bowl replacement, labour only$80–$150
- Toilet bowl supply and install, basic$150–$500
- Exposed water pipe leak repair$80–$200
HDB, condo and landed
HDB
The same PUB rules apply in HDB flats. HDB's renovation rules also apply when plumbing is part of a renovation, so check them if pipes are moved or tiles hacked. Common stack work is the town council's.
Condo
The same PUB rules apply. Your MCST may also ask for the contractor's details and set work hours under the by-laws, so tell management before licensed work starts.
Landed
The same PUB rules apply, and more of the pipework is yours: every water service pipe after the PUB meter at the gate. Re-piping a house is licensed work from start to finish.
PUB licensed plumber: common questions
What plumbing work does not need a licensed plumber?
PUB exempts replacing taps, mixers, shower heads and flexible hoses; repairing the cistern flush mechanism; the pipe between the stop valve and an instant water heater; installing a wash basin or sink, including the bottle trap; replacing floor trap gratings; and clearing blockages in floor traps, toilets and other sanitary fittings. A general plumber or handyman can do these.
Does an instant water heater need a licensed plumber?
No. Installing an electric instant heater does not need a PUB Licensed Plumber, but any electrical work, such as a new power point, must be done by a Licensed Electrical Worker. A storage water heater does need a PUB Licensed Plumber.
What happens if I hire an unlicensed plumber for licensed work?
Since 1 April 2018, it has been an offence to engage an unlicensed plumber for work that needs a licence. The penalty is a fine of up to $10,000, jail of up to 3 years, or both. Poor work on water pipes or heaters can also cause leaks and safety problems.
How do I check if a plumber is licensed?
Use PUB's Licensed Plumber Directory on the PUB website, where you can search by the plumber's name or licence number. Ask for the licence number before the visit, and ask who will be doing the work.
What is a Certificate of Satisfactory Completion?
After water service works, the Licensed Plumber submits a Certificate of Satisfactory Completion to PUB within 7 days, confirming the work meets PUB's requirements. Ask your plumber to confirm it has been submitted.
Who maintains the pipes before and after my water meter?
PUB maintains the water mains up to and including your meter. Everything after the meter is yours to maintain, and replacing or repairing those water service pipes still needs a PUB Licensed Plumber.
Get a price for pub licensed plumber
Send a photo or short video, your home type and postal code. We reply with a price range and the earliest slot.
Open 24/7. All of Singapore.