The cost to unblock a drain in Perth typically ranges from around $400 to $2,100+, depending on the location of the blockage, what caused it, and the equipment needed to clear it. Based on four recent jobs completed by our plumbers at our current rates, prices ranged from $438.90 for a simple outside drain blockage to just over $2,100 for a complex main sewer blockage requiring drain excavation over two days.
However, there is no single price that applies to every blocked drain. A blockage that can be cleared manually in half an hour is a very different job from a main drain affected by tree roots or a blockage that can only be reached by excavating another access point.
In this article, we’ll share some of our recent blocked drain jobs, including the cost of each job, what was involved, and the factors that influenced the final price.
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Blocked drain cost examples from recent Perth jobs
Suburb | What was blocked | Work required | Time on site | Cost including GST |
| Inglewood | Outside gully drain | Cleared manually using a gully plunger | About 30 minutes. | $438.90 |
| Canning Vale | Shared kitchen and laundry drain | Cleared using an electric drain machine | About one hour | $718.30 |
| Kensington | Main drain affected by tree roots | High-pressure jetting, CCTV inspection and root cutting | About 1.5 hours | $801.90 |
| Rivervale | Whole unit and main sewer connection | Multiple access points, excavation and work across two days | Two visits | $2,100 |
These are examples of completed jobs rather than fixed prices. Your own blocked drain plumber cost may be lower or higher depending on what the plumber finds and what is required to clear the line.
Blocked outside drain cost: $438.90 (Inglewood)
What was blocked?
An outside gully drain had become blocked and stopped draining. An outside gully is generally located near the exterior wall of a property. It allows wastewater to escape outside if the main drainage system becomes blocked, rather than overflowing through fixtures inside the home.
How long did it take?
About 30 minutes.
Why did it cost $438.90?
This price covered one of our most experienced plumbers for up to one hour of labour on site, and all the equipment required to clear the blockage. To resolve the issue, we used a specialised gully plunger to dislodge the blockage until the drain was flowing freely again. We then tested the drain to ensure it was operating correctly before leaving.
As the blockage was successfully cleared using this method, there was no need to use more advanced equipment such as an electric drain machine, high-pressure water jetter or CCTV drain camera.
Blocked kitchen and laundry drain: $718.30 (Canning Vale)
What was blocked?
The kitchen and laundry sink drains were both blocked and backing up. Whenever water was used in either sink, it would overflow or rise through the other. This is a strong sign that the blockage is located in a shared drain line that both fixtures connect to, rather than in the individual waste pipe beneath either sink. Because the obstruction is further downstream, wastewater has nowhere to go and is forced back up through the other connected fixture.
How long did it take?
About one hour.
Why did it cost $718.30?
The blockage was too far down the pipe to reach with hand tools. We ran a small electric drain machine through the line to break apart the build-up and clear the pipe through to the sewer. Once the obstruction had been removed, we tested the drainage system to confirm that water was flowing correctly and cleaned the work area. The price was higher than the Inglewood blocked drain job above because it required mechanical drain-clearing equipment and more time on site.
Tree root blocked drain cost: $801.90 (Kensington)
What was blocked?
The main drain running towards the sewer was blocked. The inspection shaft was full and overflowing.
How long did it take?
About one and a half hours.
Why did it cost $801.90?
We first used a high-pressure water jetter to cut through the blockage and restore the flow.
We then inserted a CCTV camera into the drain to identify what had caused the problem. The camera confirmed that tree roots had grown into the pipe.
A root-cutting head was used to remove as much of the root growth as possible and get the drain flowing again.
The CCTV inspection was an important part of this job. Without looking inside the pipe, it would have been difficult to tell whether the blockage was simply a build-up or whether there was underlying damage to the drain.
With this particular job, a few strands of root remained inside the line after it had been cleared. This can happen when roots are growing through a damaged joint or crack in the pipe. Removing the blockage restores the flow, but it does not repair the opening that allowed the roots to enter.
We also recommended excavating and replacing the affected section as a permanent repair. That work was quoted separately. If the damaged pipe is not repaired, the roots may continue growing back and cause another blockage later.
Whole unit blocked drain: $2,100 (Rivervale)
What was blocked?
Every drain in the unit had stopped working. The main drainage line was blocked near its connection to the sewer. The obstruction was located deep in the system and could not be reached through the first available access point.
How long did it take?
The work was completed across two days and required a return visit.
Why did it cost $2,100?
This was a much larger and more complicated task.
We began work on Saturday but could not reach the blockage from the initial access point. We returned on Sunday and used the property’s drainage diagram to help locate another inspection point.
We then had to dig down to a second access point. The blockage was eventually reached from a third location near the sewer connection.
After clearing it, we tested the drainage system and confirmed that every fixture in the unit was flowing correctly again.
- The final cost reflected:
- The drain-clearing equipment
- The time required to locate the blockage
- Excavation to reach another inspection point
- Work across two days
- Testing the entire drainage system
Jobs of this scale are the exception rather than the rule, but they show why a deep or difficult blockage can cost substantially more than a simple outside drain blockage.
What affects the cost for a plumber to unblock a drain?
The type of drain alone does not determine the price. Two blocked kitchen drains can require completely different amounts of work depending on where the blockage is sitting and what has caused it.
Where the blockage is located
If the blockage is further down the drainage system, our plumbers may need to use an inspection opening, access another entry point, or excavate to reach it. The harder the blockage is to access, the more time and equipment may be required.
How severe the blockage is
A small build-up of grease, soap or debris may clear relatively quickly. A heavily compacted blockage can take longer and may require mechanical equipment.
A completely blocked main line can also affect every toilet, sink, shower and floor drain in the property, making it more urgent and potentially more complex to resolve.
What caused the blockage
Common causes of blocked drains include:
- Grease and food waste
- Hair and soap residue
- Wet wipes and sanitary products
- Foreign objects
- Sediment and debris
- Tree roots
- Broken pipe joints
- Cracked or collapsed drains
- Poorly aligned pipework
The cause may not be obvious until the line has been cleared or inspected with a CCTV drain camera.
The equipment required
Some blockages can be cleared manually using a plunger or basic hand tools.
More difficult jobs may require:
- An electric drain machine
- A high-pressure water jetter
- A root-cutting head
- CCTV drain inspection equipment
- Pipe locating equipment
- Excavation tools
The use of specialised equipment is one of the main reasons the cost of hiring a plumber to clear a blocked drain can vary so much in Perth. Different blockages require different tools, and more complex jobs often need advanced equipment.
How long your plumber is on site
The Inglewood blocked drain took about half an hour to clear, whereas the Rivervale job required work across two days.
Labour time can increase when our plumber needs to:
- Try several access points
- Locate an underground inspection opening
- Excavate part of the property
- Clear a blockage located deep in the line
- Inspect the pipe after clearing it
- Test several fixtures
- Return on another day to complete the work
- Whether the pipe needs repairing
Is your blocked drain a plumbing emergency?
If your blocked drain needs immediate attention, such as after hours, on a weekend or on a public holiday, the cost may be higher than a standard daytime service. Emergency call-outs often attract higher labour rates due to the urgency and timing of the work.
If the blockage isn’t causing wastewater to overflow or preventing you from using essential fixtures, booking during normal business hours may help reduce the overall cost.
How to avoid unexpected blocked drain costs
A reputable plumber should explain what is involved and keep you informed if the job becomes more complicated than expected.
Before work begins, ask:
- Whether the quoted price includes GST
- Whether there is a separate call-out fee
- Whether drain-clearing machinery is included
- Whether CCTV inspection is likely to be required
- Whether weekend or after-hours rates apply
- Whether the plumber will discuss additional work before proceeding
- Whether any permanent repairs will be quoted separately
At Swan’s Professional Plumbing, we don’t charge a call-out fee and won’t ever begin any work until you have approved the cost, so you know exactly what to expect before we get started.
Got a blocked drain that needs attending to? Call Swan’s Professional Plumbing today!
Call us today for fast, reliable service across Perth. With no call-out fees and transparent pricing approved before work begins, you’ll know exactly what to expect as we get your drains flowing again. Book your free onsite quote for a blocked drain repair today!
