Top 10 plumbers in Adelaide, compared

Ken Hall Plumbers was founded in 1983 by Ken Hall, a Master Plumber, gas fitter and former Vice-President of the SA Master Plumbers Association. His son Brad is now CEO. From its base in Kent Town, the business has more than 140 staff and 100 vehicles, covering all of metro Adelaide plus the Barossa, Murray Bridge and Victor Harbor.

Alongside plumbing, blocked drains with hydro-jet vans, pipe relining, hot water and gas fitting, it also does electrical, roofing, air conditioning and renovations. It offers same-day service with a one-hour appointment window, calls 30 minutes before arriving, lends temporary hot water units, and is available 24/7. Its labour warranties run from 3 months on small repairs to 7 years on bathroom renovations.

Precise Plumbing and Electrical was founded in 1999 by Anthony and Shae and works from Welland, covering every metro Adelaide suburb from Gawler to Aldinga Beach. It has trained more than 47 apprentices.

Work includes blocked drains with electric eels, hydrojets and drain cameras, hot water from Rinnai, Rheem, Dux, Thermann and Bosch, gas fitting, pipe relining, leak detection, grease arrestors, pumps, bathroom renovations, electrical and air conditioning. It quotes fixed prices upfront, charges no call-out fee on weekday emergency jobs, guarantees its workmanship for life, and is on call 24/7.

Aquatek Plumbing and Gas is a family business based in Eden Hills, covering Adelaide and the surrounding suburbs, with more than 20 years of experience.

Hot water is a focus, with brands including Aquamax, Bosch, Dux, Rinnai, Rheem, Thermann, Vulcan and Haier, and heat pumps advertised from $1,900 installed after rebates. It also handles blocked drains with hydrojetting, CCTV and relining, taps, toilets, burst pipes, gas fitting, leak detection and water filtration. It prices upfront, offers Humm finance, gives pensioners and seniors 10% off labour, and is open 24 hours.

Wills Plumbing Adelaide is run by Will, a Master Plumber with more than 20 years of experience, and covers all of metro Adelaide, from the city and Hills to Seaford and Elizabeth.

Work includes emergency plumbing, blocked drains with CCTV and hydro-jetting, no-dig pipe relining, electric, gas, solar and heat pump hot water, gas fitting, taps, toilets, burst pipes, backflow prevention and strata maintenance. It gives a fixed written quote before starting, warrants relining and drain replacement for 25 years, and answers its emergency line 24/7.

Your Local Tradesman works from Marleston and covers greater metropolitan Adelaide, and has been operating for around 15 years. It is a Master Plumbers member and ARCtick certified.

It handles plumbing, electrical, heating and cooling, so several jobs can be done in one visit. It charges no call-out fee, backs its labour with a lifetime warranty, offers a membership with up to 15% off, gives seniors 10% off and has a 24/7 emergency service.

Allmat Plumbing is run by Marc Tassone, a plumber and gas fitter licensed since 2006, from Westbourne Park. He covers the inner south, eastern and western suburbs, the coast from Glenelg to Brighton, and the Adelaide Hills, and attends every job himself.

Work includes emergency plumbing, blocked drains with hydro-jetting and CCTV, no-dig pipe relining, all types of hot water, gas fitting and leak detection, toilets, taps, burst pipes, leak detection with thermal imaging and backflow testing. He gives the price before starting, texts an arrival time, and takes emergency call-outs at any hour.

Blue Water Plumbers was founded in 2008 by Tom James-Martin and focuses on Adelaide's eastern and inner-southern suburbs, including Norwood, Kensington, Toorak Gardens, Unley, Parkside, Glenunga and Malvern. It is a Master Plumbers SA member.

Work includes emergency plumbing, blocked drains, hot water with temporary units available, LPG and natural gas, leak detection, pipe patching and trenchless relining, appliance installs and renovations. Unusually, it publishes its rates: a $90 service call and $198 an hour in business hours, and $150 plus $290 for the first hour after hours. It has someone on call 24 hours a day.

Adam Plumbing and Gas was founded in 1997 by director Adam Nettleton. It is based in the Adelaide Hills with a small team and covers metro Adelaide, the Adelaide Hills, including Stirling and Mount Barker, and the Fleurieu Peninsula.

Work includes gas fitting, gas heating and appliance servicing, gas and water leak detection, blocked drains, leaking pipes, taps and toilets, roof leaks and stormwater, all types of hot water, renovations, and strata and real estate plumbing. Office hours are weekdays from 8am to 6pm, and it takes emergency calls.

Horncastle Plumbing started in 2014 and is based in Daw Park, covering all of metro Adelaide from McLaren Vale to Gawler. It is a Master Plumbers Association of South Australia member, and its calls are answered by a licensed plumber.

Hot water is a specialty, across Rheem, Rinnai, Bosch, Dux, Aquamax, Chromagen, Vulcan and Thermann systems. It also handles blocked drains with hydrojetting, CCTV and relining, gas fitting, taps, toilets, burst pipes, rainwater tanks, water filtration and backflow testing. It charges no call-out fee, quotes labour from $99, offers Zip, and is available 24/7.

aba Plumbing and Gas is owned by Paul Chaina and works from Stepney with a team of 24, covering all of metro Adelaide. It is part of the aba Trades group, which also has electrical, air conditioning, roofing and renovation businesses.

Work includes blocked drains with CCTV and relining, burst pipes, taps and toilets, hot water across 11 brands, gas fitting, leak detection and heater repairs, water filtration and renovations. It gives a fixed price after a free diagnosis, states no extra charge after hours, gives $50 back if it is late, and backs its labour with a 20-year warranty. It works 24/7.