Find a plumber for your particular job
In short
Choose a plumber who covers your Sydney suburb, has the NSW licence categories needed for your job and explains the proposed work and charges in writing. For a possible water-network fault, contact Sydney Water before assuming you need a private repair. For planned work, compare written quotes using the same brief; for urgent attendance, confirm the visit charge and what you are authorising on the booking call.
Step 1
Work out who should assess the fault
These contact routes apply to properties served by Sydney Water. If you have a different water provider, use its fault-reporting guidance. A leak or blockage near the property boundary does not, by itself, establish who is responsible.
Where to start in Sydney
| What you notice | First contact |
|---|---|
| A leaking tap, toilet or private pipe between the meter and building | A licensed plumber. Describe the location and whether the leak is continuous. |
| A leaking meter, a street leak or uncertainty about the network | Sydney Water on 13 20 90, available 24/7, to help identify the fault and next action. |
| Wastewater overflowing in a public space, or at home when you are not using water | Call Sydney Water on 13 20 90 urgently. Also call if you are unsure where the blockage is. |
| A backed-up drain or overflow only when you use water at home | Arrange a licensed plumber's assessment as soon as possible. |
Step 2
Check the licence against the business and work
Ask for the contracting business's name and NSW contractor licence number. Use the Service NSW licence check before work starts, then match the holder to the business on your quote. Review the current status, expiry, work categories and conditions rather than relying on a logo or a licence number in an advert.
NSW treats plumbing, draining and gasfitting as separate categories of specialist work. Check the categories needed for the proposed job, including gasfitting if gas work is involved. A tradesperson certificate has supervision requirements; ask the business who will supervise and sign off the work if that applies.
Ask for examples of similar work and evidence of relevant insurance. Confirm that the company travels to your suburb and can attend within your required timeframe.
Step 3
Describe the symptoms and property access
Send the suburb, property type, photos and when the problem started. For a tap or toilet, say where water appears and whether it leaks continuously. For a blocked drain, list the affected fixtures, any overflow and previous repairs. For hot water, include the system's model label, fuel type and symptoms without trying to diagnose the fault yourself.
Explain practical access: apartment level, lift or stair access, parking restrictions, locked gates and the location of the affected fixture. If a landlord, property manager or strata manager needs to authorise access or work, coordinate that before booking.
Step 4
Compare diagnosis, repair and extra work separately
For planned work, give each business the same brief and requested fittings. Ask whether the price is an estimate or a fixed quote for a defined scope. If an inspection is needed first, confirm its charge and whether it is payable if you decline the repair.
Compare the proposed repair, labour, parts, GST where applicable, disposal and any return visit. For drain work, ask whether the offer covers clearing the blockage, camera inspection, a report or pipe repair. Identify excavation and restoration separately if they may be needed. Agree how additional findings and costs will be put to you for approval.
For urgent attendance, confirm the call-out charge, after-hours rates and whether the first visit covers assessment, a temporary repair or completion. Do not delay urgent help to gather several quotes.
Step 5
Keep the findings and completion records
Ask the plumber to explain what they found, what was repaired and what needs further attention. Keep the accepted scope, approved changes, invoice and relevant compliance documents. Sydney Water advises customers to ask for a Certificate of Compliance after plumbing work; ask the plumber which documents apply to your job.
If a plumber finds a wastewater blockage in Sydney Water's pipes, ask them to report it to Sydney Water and obtain a job number. Keep that number, invoices and supporting evidence. Sydney Water has a claim process for eligible expenses; reimbursement depends on its conditions and is not automatic.
Sources and useful links
Sources checked 6 October 2026
- Sydney Water: report a fault
Local contact routes for private leaks, network faults and wastewater overflows.
- Service NSW: check a builder or tradesperson licence
Official entry point for checking a contractor's licence before work starts.
- NSW Government: checking contractor qualifications
Explains licence-check information, specialist work and choosing a contractor.
- NSW Government: plumbing, draining and gasfitting work
Licence categories and supervision requirements; updated 31 July 2026.
- NSW Government: getting quotes for contractors
Guidance on defining materials and scope for comparable building or renovation quotes.
- Sydney Water: general plumbing information
Customer guidance on plumbers, private pipes and completion certificates.
- Sydney Water: wastewater blockages
Network responsibility and the conditions for claiming eligible investigation expenses.
