Plumbing Services Toronto: 2026 Cost & Licensed Contractor Guide
Plumbing work in Toronto must be performed by a licensed plumber under the Ontario Plumbing Licence regulations and the Ontario Building Code. A backwater valve installation runs $1,800 – $3,500 (with up to $1,250 City of Toronto rebate); a basement bathroom rough-in $4,000 – $9,000; a full-home repipe to PEX $8,000 – $22,000 depending on home size and accessibility. Hiring an unlicensed plumber for permit work is illegal and voids your insurance. This guide covers every plumbing service Country Renovations delivers across Toronto and the GTA — backwater valves, repipes, fixture installs, drain cleaning, water heater replacements, and basement rough-ins — with hard 2026 cost numbers and the City of Toronto subsidy programs you should know about.
Why Country Renovations. Licensed plumbing trade since 2014. Ontario plumbing licence, HCRA-registered, WSIB-cleared, $5M general liability insurance. Free written fixed-price quote in 5 business days. Book a free site visit →
Key Takeaways
- Backwater valve installation: $1,800 – $3,500 with up to $1,250 in City of Toronto rebates available through the Basement Flooding Protection Subsidy Program.
- Basement bathroom rough-in: $4,000 – $9,000 — slab break for new drains is the biggest cost driver.
- Full-home repipe to PEX: $8,000 – $22,000 depending on home size and access; standard for galvanized or polybutylene replacements.
- Water heater replacement: $1,800 – $4,500 (tank) or $4,500 – $7,500 (tankless) including permit and gas connection.
- Drain cleaning & clog clearing: $250 – $750 typical; major clogs requiring camera inspection or hydro-jet $750 – $2,000.
- Permits required for any new fixture install, drain modification, water service replacement, or work involving gas-fired equipment.
Plumbing Services We Provide
- Backwater valve installation: Mainline backwater valves to prevent basement flooding from sewer surcharge.
- Basement bathroom & kitchen rough-in: New drain runs, vent stack tie-ins, water supply distribution.
- Repipes: Galvanized → PEX, polybutylene → PEX, copper → PEX or PEX-AL-PEX.
- Fixture installation: Toilets, vanities, sinks, faucets, tubs, showers, dishwashers, washing machines.
- Water heater replacement: Conventional tank, tankless gas, hybrid heat-pump water heaters.
- Drain cleaning & sewer line repair: Snake clearing, hydro-jet cleaning, camera inspection, trenchless lining/replacement.
- Sump pump installation: Primary, battery-backup, and combination units for basement waterproofing.
- Water service replacement: Lead service line replacement (often with City of Toronto subsidy participation), 3/4" or 1" copper main upgrade.
- Hose bibs & outdoor plumbing: Frost-free outdoor faucets, irrigation backflow preventers.
- Emergency response: Burst pipes, sewer backups, water heater failures.
Toronto Plumbing Cost Table (2026 CAD)
| Service | Typical Cost (CAD 2026) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Backwater valve install | $1,800 – $3,500 | City of Toronto subsidy up to $1,250 |
| Sump pump install (primary) | $1,200 – $2,500 | Includes basin, check valve, discharge line |
| Battery-backup sump pump | $800 – $1,800 | Add-on to existing primary |
| Basement bathroom rough-in | $4,000 – $9,000 | Slab break, drain runs, vent tie-in |
| Toilet install (new fixture) | $350 – $1,200 | Like-for-like swap; fixture extra |
| Vanity install with new plumbing | $650 – $1,800 | Includes faucet swap, drain rerouting |
| Water heater (40 – 50 gal tank) | $1,800 – $3,500 | Includes removal, install, gas connection |
| Tankless water heater (gas) | $4,500 – $7,500 | Wall-mount, gas line upgrade often needed |
| Hybrid heat-pump water heater | $3,800 – $6,200 | Greener Homes Loan eligible |
| Galvanized → PEX repipe (whole home) | $8,000 – $22,000 | Pre-1960 Toronto homes typical scope |
| Drain cleaning (snake) | $250 – $550 | Standard kitchen / bathroom drain |
| Hydro-jet sewer line cleaning | $650 – $1,500 | For root intrusion, grease buildup |
| Sewer camera inspection | $300 – $750 | Diagnostic + recorded video |
| Lead water service line replacement | $3,500 – $9,000 | City of Toronto subsidies + financing available |
City of Toronto Plumbing Subsidies & Programs
Toronto runs several active subsidy programs that meaningfully reduce homeowner costs. We file the paperwork on your behalf as part of the project:
- Basement Flooding Protection Subsidy Program: Up to $1,250 toward backwater valve install, plus up to $1,750 for sump pump and other approved measures. Total potential savings of up to $3,400 per property.
- Lead Water Service Line Replacement Program: The City replaces the public-side portion of a lead service line at no cost; homeowner is responsible for the private-side portion. Financing options available.
- Greener Homes Loan (federal): Up to $40,000 interest-free for heat pump water heaters, hybrid systems, and other deep-energy retrofits.
When You Need a Plumbing Permit in Toronto
- No permit: Like-for-like fixture replacement (toilet swap, faucet swap, dishwasher swap) where existing piping is reused.
- Plumbing permit required: New fixture (additional toilet, sink, shower), drain modification, vent stack changes, water service replacement, backwater valve install, sump pump install (in some cases).
- Building permit required: When plumbing is part of a larger renovation involving structural, electrical, or HVAC scope.
- Gas permit (TSSA): Required for any work on gas appliances — water heaters, ranges, dryers, pool heaters.
The licensed plumber files all permits — never the homeowner. Plan-review service standard for plumbing permits is 5 – 10 business days.
Why Older Toronto Homes Need Plumbing Attention
- Galvanized supply pipes (pre-1950): Corrode internally, restricting flow and rust-staining water. Repipe to PEX is the standard fix.
- Polybutylene (1978 – 1995): Failure-prone material; insurance often demands replacement.
- Cast-iron drains (pre-1980): Crack and pit over time, especially in basement runs. Replacement during basement renovations is common.
- Lead service lines (pre-1960): Public health concern; City of Toronto actively replacing public-side portions and offering homeowner subsidies.
- Original sewer connections: Clay tile sewers crack and root-intrude; trenchless lining or replacement runs $4,000 – $14,000.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does plumbing cost in Toronto in 2026?
Service-call rates run $150 – $250 for the first hour. Typical projects: backwater valve $1,800 – $3,500, basement bathroom rough-in $4,000 – $9,000, full-home repipe $8,000 – $22,000, water heater replacement $1,800 – $4,500 (tank) or $4,500 – $7,500 (tankless).
Do I need a permit to install a backwater valve in Toronto?
Yes. A plumbing permit is required, filed by a licensed plumber. The City of Toronto Basement Flooding Protection Subsidy Program reimburses up to $1,250 of the cost for eligible installs.
How do I apply for the City of Toronto basement flooding subsidy?
Toronto’s program reimburses up to $3,400 per property across backwater valve, sump pump, and other approved measures. We submit the paperwork on your behalf as part of the project — homeowner pays our quote, City reimburses you directly within 6 – 12 weeks of completion.
How much does a tankless water heater cost in Toronto?
A gas tankless water heater installation in Toronto runs $4,500 – $7,500 in 2026 fully installed including unit, gas line upgrade (often required), TSSA permit, and removal of old tank. The unit itself is $1,800 – $3,500 of that total.
Can I install a toilet myself in Toronto?
Like-for-like toilet replacements (same drain location, same supply line) can be done by a homeowner. New installs, drain relocations, and any work requiring permits must be done by a licensed plumber.
How long does a basement bathroom rough-in take?
2 – 4 days on site for the rough-in itself once the slab is broken. Full basement bathroom build-out (rough-in through finished tile, fixtures, and inspection) is typically 4 – 6 weeks total.
What’s the difference between a snake and a hydro-jet?
A snake is a mechanical auger that cuts through clogs — fast and effective for typical kitchen/bathroom drains ($250 – $550). A hydro-jet uses high-pressure water to scrub the drain interior — required for grease-laden mainlines, root-infiltrated sewers, and recurring clogs ($650 – $1,500).
How do I know if I have lead service lines in my Toronto home?
Lead service lines were standard in Toronto homes built before 1960. The visible giveaway is a soft, dull-grey pipe entering the home from the street side, often with a small bend — copper is reddish; galvanized is silvery-grey and harder. The City of Toronto offers free testing and a public-side replacement program; homeowners are responsible for the private-side portion.
Get a Free Plumbing Quote in Toronto
Country Renovations carries the Ontario plumbing licence and serves Toronto and the GTA since 2014. HCRA-registered. WSIB-cleared. $5M insured. Book a free site visit and you’ll receive a written, fixed-price quote in 5 business days — covering parts, labour, permits, and applicable City of Toronto subsidy paperwork.
Service area: Toronto core, Scarborough, North York, Etobicoke, Markham, Mississauga, Vaughan, Richmond Hill, Brampton, Oakville.
Related Country Renovations Services
- Bathroom renovation Toronto — full plumbing scope on bathroom remodels.
- Kitchen renovation Toronto — kitchen plumbing relocation, new fixtures.
- Basement renovation Toronto — backwater valves, basement bathrooms, sump pumps.
- Licensed electrical services — electric water heaters, hybrid systems wiring.
- Legal basement apartment Toronto — separate plumbing for second-suite units.
Trust & Compliance Resources for Ontario Homeowners
- HCRA Registered Contractor Ontario — Verification Guide (60-second builder verification, 7 red flags, 10 questions to ask)
- Tarion Warranty Ontario Explained (1/2/7-year coverage, claim process, deadlines)
- Bill 23 Toronto Homeowner Guide (multiplex zoning, second suites as-of-right, no parking required)
- Renovation Contract Red Flags Toronto (7 contract clauses to watch, milestone payment schedules)