Drain Cleaning Costs for Chicago, IL 2024

We have contacted the below companies in Chicago, IL but we prefer to keep the company name anonymous so we are not indirectly promoting these companies in a bad way. The total number of companies we approached was around 68, but some of them did not reply. We contacted them using text, calling, and email, and below is the summary of the quote the plumbing companies provided us for a standard drain cleaning cost for the kitchen sink, toilet, and shower.

Note: NONE indicates that the company did not provide the cost.

Disclaimer

We would like to make this survey anonymous. Keeping company names anonymous in data analysis ensures confidentiality and objectivity, which helps prevent any bias or undue influence on the results. This approach strengthens the integrity of the analysis and avoids any legal or competitive issues that could arise from revealing company identities.

Survey Results

Company	Time to Quote	Kitchen	Toilet	Shower
A	3 hours	$250	$300	$300
B	7 hours	$190	$250	$250
C	2.5 hours	NONE	$172	$192
D	5 hours	$167	$167	$167
E	7.5 hours	$300	$350	$390
F	6 hours	$259	$289	$289
G	10 hours	$290	$350	$350
H	13 hours	$190	$250	$250
I	5 hours	$250	$290	$330
J	1 hour	$210	$270	$270
K	1.5 hours	NONE	$300	$340
L	4 hours	$190	$220	$250
M	2 hours	$149	$149	$190
N	5.5 hours	$260	$290	$330
O	3 hours	$170	$210	$240
P	7.5 hours	$290	$320	$350
Q	9 hours	$250	$280	$349
R	6.5 hours	NONE	NONE	$277
S	11 hours	$230	$270	$300
T	2.5 hours	$200	$240	$260
U	8 hours	$270	$320	$350
V	3.5 hours	$190	$230	$270
W	12 hours	$300	$300	$370
X	10.5 hours	$280	$330	$360
Y	6 hours	$220	$260	$290
Z	14 hours	$300	$350	$380

Data was collected and compiled on May 2024

Detailed Analysis of Drain Cleaning Services in Chicago, IL

This analysis reviews the costs associated with kitchen sink, toilet, and bathtub/shower drain cleaning from various companies, along with the time it takes to receive quotes. The data covers a range of pricing and response times, offering insights into the patterns across different providers.

1. Duration to Get a Quote

The time to get a quote from companies varies from as little as 1 hour to as long as 14 hours. Quick response times are often preferable for those with urgent drain issues, while longer times may be manageable if the job does not require immediate attention.

Key Insights:

• Fastest Responses (1-2.5 hours):

  • Company J offers the quickest quote at 1 hour.
  • Company K follows closely at 1.5 hours.
  • Companies M, C, and T are also quick, providing quotes within 2 to 2.5 hours.

• Mid-Range Response Times (3-7 hours):

  • Companies like A, O, and V provide quotes within 3 to 3.5 hours.
  • Companies like B, L, F, and P quote within 6 to 7.5 hours.

• Longest Response Times (8-14 hours):

  • Company Z provides the slowest quote at 14 hours, followed by Company H at 13 hours.
  • Companies W, X, G, and R have similar delays, taking up to 10-12 hours.

Summary of Response Times:

• Fast Quotes (1-2.5 hours): J, K, M, C, T
• Moderate Quotes (3-7 hours): A, B, L, O, V, F
• Slow Quotes (8-14 hours): U, P, Q, G, X, Z, H, W, R

2. Kitchen Sink Drain Cleaning Cost

The kitchen sink drain cleaning costs in this dataset range from $132 to $300.

Key Insights:

• Lowest Price: The cheapest kitchen sink drain cleaning is offered by Company C at $132.
• Highest Price: The most expensive kitchen sink cleaning service is from Companies E, W, and Z, each charging $300.
• Average Price: Many companies, such as A, I, Q, S, J, and K, charge around $250 to $280, which represents the most common price range for this service.

Summary of Kitchen Sink Costs:

• Low-Cost (Under $150): C, M
• Mid-Range ($150-$250): D, O, T, L, V, B
• High-Cost ($250+): A, I, K, F, Q, Y, S, N, P, R, W, E, Z

3. Toilet Drain Cleaning Cost

The price for toilet drain cleaning ranges from $149 to $350, with some companies standardizing rates across multiple drain types.

Key Insights:

• Lowest Price: Company M offers the most affordable toilet drain cleaning at $149.
• Highest Price: Companies E, G, P, Z charge the most for toilet drain cleaning, at $350, which may reflect a more complex service or premium offerings.
• Average Price: The most common price range is between $250 and $300, with companies like A, J, F, N, and I sitting comfortably in this band.

Summary of Toilet Drain Costs:

• Low-Cost (Under $200): M, C, D, O
• Mid-Range ($200-$300): L, T, B, V, S, R, F, I, Q, A, Y, J, K, N
• High-Cost ($300+): E, G, P, Z, U, W, X

4. Bathtub or Shower Drain Cleaning Cost

Bathtub or shower drain cleaning costs extend from $167 to $390, representing the broadest price range among all drain-cleaning services.

Key Insights:

• Lowest Price: Company D offers the lowest shower drain cleaning service at $167.
• Highest Price: Company E provides the most expensive shower cleaning services at $390, possibly indicating more advanced or specialized work involved.
• Average Price: Many companies' prices fall between $240 and $300, such as A, J, V, and S, indicating common pricing for standard shower or bathtub clogs.

Summary of Bathtub/Shower Costs:

• Low-Cost (Under $200): C, M, O, D
• Mid-Range ($200-$300): L, T, B, V, H, A, I, F, S, R, J, K, Y
• High-Cost ($300+): P, U, W, Q, Z, X, E, G, N

Drain Cleaning Cost Factors in Chicago, IL

1. Local Plumber Labor Cost in Chicago, IL: In 2024, the local plumber labor cost in Chicago, IL ranges from $80 to $180 per hour, reflecting an increase compared to the previous year's range of $75 to $170 per hour in 2023. This 6-7% increase primarily stems from factors like rising inflation, higher costs of materials, and continued strong demand for skilled labor in the Chicago area. The growing demand is driven by the city's expanding real estate market and an aging infrastructure requiring more frequent plumbing repairs and upgrades. Additionally, the rise in living costs and wages has also impacted labor rates within the industry. While the increase is not drastic, it does reflect the broader economic trends affecting service-oriented industries, and homeowners and businesses alike should anticipate slightly higher charges for plumbing services in 2024 compared to previous years.

2. Severity of the Clog: The severity of a clog significantly impacts both the complexity and cost of the service. Minor clogs caused by hair or grease buildup may be relatively straightforward to address, while more severe blockages, such as those caused by invasive tree roots or collapsed pipes, may require specialized tools or techniques, including hydro jetting or pipe replacement. Severe clogs often take longer to resolve, leading to higher labor costs and sometimes additional material charges.

3. Duration for the Service: The time it takes to resolve a clogged drain varies based on factors like the location of the clog and its severity. Simple clogs in easily accessible pipes may be resolved within 30 minutes to an hour, while more complicated or hidden blockages can extend service time to several hours. In Chicago, labor costs are billed hourly, so the longer the plumber works on the issue, the higher the overall cost will be.

4. Number of Clogged Drains: The cost of clearing multiple clogged drains in a home will generally increase with each additional drain. If a plumber is addressing blockages in different areas, such as the kitchen sink and the bathroom shower, this will likely extend the service time, adding to the labor cost. Some plumbing services offer package deals for addressing multiple clogs, but each drain typically requires specific attention, impacting the total cost.

5. General Causes of Clogged Drains: Clogged drains in Chicago, IL homes are commonly caused by everyday waste and misuse. In the kitchen sink, grease, food particles, and soap scum can accumulate over time, leading to blockages. Toilets often become clogged due to flushing non-flushable items like wipes, paper towels, or excessive amounts of toilet paper. In bathtubs and showers, hair and soap buildup are frequent culprits, causing slow drainage or complete blockages that require professional attention. Understanding these common causes can help homeowners prevent recurring issues.

Analysis of Average Drain Cleaning Costs in Chicago, IL (2014-2024)

Overview

This analysis examines the trends in average drain cleaning costs in Chicago, Illinois over an 11-year period from 2014 to 2024. The data shows a consistent increase in prices throughout the years, with a notable spike in recent years.

Year-by-Year Breakdown

Table for 2014-2024:

Year	Cost	YoY Increase	% Increase
2014	$297.00	-	-
2015	$299.00	$2.00	0.67%
2016	$302.00	$3.00	1.00%
2017	$307.00	$5.00	1.66%
2018	$312.00	$5.00	1.63%
2019	$317.00	$5.00	1.60%
2020	$322.00	$5.00	1.58%
2021	$332.00	$10.00	3.11%
2022	$415.00	$83.00	25.00%
2023	$429.84	$14.84	3.58%
2024	$442.76	$12.92	3.01%

Graph for 2014-2024:

Key Observations

1. Consistent Increase: The cost of drain cleaning in Chicago has increased every year from 2014 to 2024 without exception.

2. Early Stability: From 2014 to 2020, the price increases were relatively small and consistent, ranging from $2 to $5 per year, mirroring the pattern seen in New York and Los Angeles during this period.

3. Moderate Jump in 2021: The year 2021 saw a more significant jump of $10, doubling the typical annual increase of the previous years.

4. Dramatic Spike in 2022: The most substantial increase occurred in 2022, with a remarkable jump of $83, representing a 25% increase from the previous year. This is the largest single-year increase in the dataset and significantly higher than the spikes observed in New York and Los Angeles.

5. Continued Growth Post-Spike: While the rate of increase moderated after 2022, the costs continued to rise at a higher rate than the pre-2022 period.

6. Total Increase: Over the 11-year period, the average cost has risen from $297 to $442.76, an increase of $145.76 or approximately 49.1%.

7. Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR): The CAGR over this period is approximately 4.08%, indicating a steeper upward trend in costs compared to both New York and Los Angeles.

Comparison with New York and Los Angeles

1. Similar Starting Point: All three cities had the same average cost ($297) in 2014.

2. Divergence Over Time: While all cities show consistent increases, Chicago's costs have risen more dramatically, especially due to the 2022 spike.

3. 2024 Comparison: By 2024, the average cost in Chicago ($442.76) is significantly higher than both New York ($399.48) and Los Angeles ($372.42).

4. Peak Growth Year: Chicago saw its highest percentage increase in 2022 (25%), which was also higher than the peak increases in New York (11.75% in 2022) and Los Angeles (4.64% in 2023).

Possible Factors Influencing Cost Increases

1. Local Economic Factors: The dramatic increase in 2022 might reflect specific economic conditions in Chicago, such as labor shortages or increased operational costs.

2. Regulatory Changes: Any new regulations or licensing requirements implemented in Chicago around 2022 could have significantly increased overhead for businesses.

3. Infrastructure Challenges: Chicago's aging infrastructure, particularly in older neighborhoods, might necessitate more complex and costly drain cleaning procedures.

4. Weather-Related Issues: Chicago's extreme weather conditions, including harsh winters, could contribute to more frequent and severe drain problems, potentially driving up costs.

5. Urban Development: Ongoing urban development and construction in Chicago might impact underground utilities and drainage systems, potentially complicating drain cleaning processes.

6. Market Adjustments: The sharp increase could represent a market correction if Chicago's prices were previously undervalued compared to other major cities.

Conclusion

The average cost of drain cleaning in Chicago has shown a consistent upward trend from 2014 to 2024, with a particularly dramatic increase in 2022. This spike set Chicago apart from the more gradual increases seen in New York and Los Angeles. Despite some moderation in growth rate after 2022, Chicago ended up with the highest average cost among the three cities by 2024. The factors behind this significant jump warrant further investigation, as they could provide insights into broader economic or industry-specific trends in the Chicago area. Homeowners and businesses in Chicago should be prepared for potentially higher drain cleaning costs compared to other major U.S. cities, and should anticipate continued increases in the coming years, albeit likely at a more moderate pace than the 2022 spike.

In Chicago, IL, pricing for drain cleaning services shows vast disparities across companies, especially for toilet and bathtub/shower drain cleaning. The average cost range for kitchen sink services hovers around $250 to $280, whereas toilet drain cleaning averages $250 and $300 for most companies. Bathtub or shower drain cleaning services generally range from $240 and $300 for many companies, with a few extending beyond this price range.

Data Accuracy

In conclusion, we continually update our cost data to ensure that the average pricing remains accurate and up-to-date. By regularly collecting and analyzing new information, we can provide reliable insights that reflect current market conditions. This ongoing process helps ensure that our estimates are always relevant and useful for those seeking to understand the latest trends in drain cleaning costs. If you have had your house drain cleaned recently, please share the cost by filling in the Feedback Form.