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Drain Cleaning Costs for Philadelphia, PA 2024

Published Date: 2024-09-20

We have contacted the below companies in Philadelphia, PA 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 71, 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 2.5 hours $220 $250 $250
B 4 hours $250 $280 $280
C 4.5 hours $300 $300 $300
D 6 hours NONE NONE $139
E 5.5 hours $210 $230 $230
F 7 hours $127 $157 $197
G 3 hours $190 $230 $250
H 1 hour $290 $290 $290
I 3.5 hours $162 $162 $162
J 2 hours $310 $310 $310
K 3 hours $170 $200 $230
L 4 hours $250 $300 $300
M 5 hours NONE $210 $230
N 6.5 hours $225 $260 $290
O 7.5 hours $190 $240 $280
P 1.5 hours $300 $300 $350
Q 2.5 hours $250 $250 $250
R 8 hours $230 $250 $300
S 3 hours $175 $200 $240
T 4.5 hours $210 $277 $277
U 6 hours $220 $260 NONE
V 7 hours $240 $280 $320
W 5 hours $190 $230 $334
X 1 hour NONE $300 $325
Y 3.5 hours $165 $200 $230
Z 6 hours $210 $250 $270
AA 2 hours $220 $290 $330

Data was collected and compiled on April 2024

Detailed Analysis of Drain Cleaning Services in Philadelphia, PA

1. Duration to Get a Quote

The time to receive a quote from the companies listed varies from as quick as 1 hour to a maximum of 8 hours. The most common duration for receiving a quote is between 2 to 4.5 hours.

  • Fastest Quote: Company H (1 hour)
  • Slowest Quote: Company R (8 hours)

Key Observations:

  • Companies that provide quotes within 2 hours: A, J, P, AA
  • Companies that take more than 6 hours: D, F, N, O, R, U, V, Z

2. Kitchen Sink Drain Cleaning Cost for Philadelphia, PA

The cost for kitchen sink drain cleaning ranges from $127 to $310.

  • The lowest cost is offered by Company F at $127, while the highest is from Company J at $310.
  • A majority of companies provide services in the range of $190 to $250.

Key Insights:

  • Lowest Cost: Company F ($127)
  • Highest Cost: Company J ($310)
  • Common Price Range: $190 to $250

3. Toilet Drain Cleaning Cost for Philadelphia, PA

The toilet drain cleaning cost ranges from $139 to $300, with prices generally clustering around $200 to $280.

  • The lowest price is offered by Company D at $139, while the highest price is seen with Companies C, P, and X at $300.
  • The majority of companies have pricing between $200 to $280.

Key Insights:

  • Lowest Cost: Company D ($139)
  • Highest Cost: Companies C, P, X ($300)
  • Common Price Range: $200 to $280

4. Bathtub or Shower Drain Cleaning Cost for Philadelphia, PA

The cost for bathtub or shower drain cleaning varies from $139 to $350.

  • The lowest price is offered by Company D at $139, and the highest by Company P at $350.
  • Most companies have prices between $230 to $300, with only a few exceeding this range.

Key Insights:

  • Lowest Cost: Company D ($139)
  • Highest Cost: Company P ($350)
  • Common Price Range: $230 to $300

Drain Cleaning Cost Factors in Philadelphia, PA

  1. Local Plumber Labor Cost in Philadelphia, PA: In 2024, the average local plumber labor cost in Philadelphia, PA ranges between $60 to $130 per hour, reflecting a moderate increase compared to previous years. In 2023, plumber labor rates were typically in the range of $50 to $120 per hour, meaning that 2024 saw an uptick of roughly 8-10% in some areas. This rise in costs can be attributed to increased demand for skilled labor, inflation, and higher material costs. Despite the increase, Philadelphia remains competitive compared to national averages, where labor rates in some urban areas exceed $150 per hour. For homeowners, the range allows for varying pricing depending on the complexity of the job and the plumber’s experience level.

  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 Philadelphia, 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 Philadelphia, PA 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 Philadelphia, PA (2014-2024)

Overview

This analysis examines the trends in average drain cleaning costs in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 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 $298.00 $1.00 0.34%
2016 $302.00 $4.00 1.34%
2017 $308.00 $6.00 1.99%
2018 $315.00 $7.00 2.27%
2019 $319.00 $4.00 1.27%
2020 $321.00 $2.00 0.63%
2021 $335.00 $14.00 4.36%
2022 $409.00 $74.00 22.09%
2023 $427.57 $18.57 4.54%
2024 $441.27 $13.70 3.20%

Graph for 2014-2024: Average Drain Cleaning Cost for Philadelphia, PA 2014- 2024

Key Observations

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

  2. Gradual Early Increases: From 2014 to 2020, the price increases were relatively small and varied, ranging from $1 to $7 per year.

  3. Acceleration Starting 2021: The year 2021 saw a more significant jump of $14, representing a 4.36% rise from the previous year.

  4. Dramatic Spike in 2022: The most substantial increase occurred in 2022, with a remarkable jump of $74, representing a 22.09% increase from the previous year. This is the largest single-year increase in the dataset.

  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 $441.27, an increase of $144.27 or approximately 48.58%.

  7. Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR): The CAGR over this period is approximately 4.04%, indicating a steep upward trend in costs.

Comparison with Other Major Cities

  1. Similar Starting Point: All analyzed cities (Philadelphia, New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Houston) had the same or very similar average cost (around $297) in 2014.

  2. Divergence Over Time: While all cities show general increases, Philadelphia's pattern closely resembles Chicago's, with a significant spike in 2022.

  3. 2024 Comparison:

  4. Overall Growth: Philadelphia's total increase (48.58%) is very close to Chicago's (49.1%), and significantly higher than New York (34.5%), Los Angeles (25.4%), and Houston (8.95%) over the same period.

  5. Spike Timing: Like Chicago, Philadelphia experienced its most significant price jump in 2022, whereas other cities had more gradual increases or, in Houston's case, a decrease that year.

Possible Factors Influencing Cost Increases

  1. Regional Economic Factors: The dramatic increase in 2022 might reflect specific economic conditions in the Northeast, as a similar trend was observed in Chicago.

  2. Labor and Material Costs: Rapid increases in wages or material costs could have contributed to the sharp rise in 2022.

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

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

  5. Urban Density: The city's compact urban environment could contribute to more frequent or complex drain issues, potentially driving up costs.

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

Conclusion

The average cost of drain cleaning in Philadelphia has shown a consistent upward trend from 2014 to 2024, with a particularly dramatic increase in 2022. This spike mirrors the trend seen in Chicago and sets Philadelphia apart from the more gradual increases seen in New York and Los Angeles, or the fluctuations observed in Houston. By 2024, Philadelphia's average cost is nearly on par with Chicago's, making them the two most expensive cities for drain cleaning among those analyzed. The factors behind this significant jump warrant further investigation, as they could provide insights into broader economic or industry-specific trends in the Philadelphia area and the Northeast region. Homeowners and businesses in Philadelphia should be prepared for these higher drain cleaning costs, which are now comparable to those in other major U.S. cities known for high living costs. While the rate of increase has moderated since 2022, continued gradual increases can be anticipated in the coming years.

In Philadelphia, PA, 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 $190 to $250, whereas toilet drain cleaning averages $200 to $280 for most companies. Bathtub or shower drain cleaning services generally range from $230 to $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.

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