Top 10 plumbers in Darwin, compared

Tap and Drain Doctor NT is run by Richard McElwee, a third-generation plumber and gasfitter, from Winnellie. It has served the Territory since 2002 with a team of six full-time plumbers and an apprentice, covering Darwin, Palmerston, the rural area from Howard Springs to Berry Springs, and Katherine. It is a Master Builders member.

The team handles burst pipes, blocked drains, sewer backups, backflow prevention, solar and electric hot water from Solahart, Rinnai, Rheem and Dux, gas leaks and fitting, septic and wastewater systems, and bathroom renovations. It quotes upfront, answers 24 hours a day, and runs a separate emergency mobile for after-hours call-outs.

All Hours Plumbing is part of the All Hours Group, which has operated in Darwin since 1979 from its base in Berrimah. It works for homeowners as well as businesses, Defence and government, is a Master Builders NT member, and holds ISO 9001, 14001 and 45001 certification.

Its residential work covers burst pipes, blocked drains and toilets, solar and electric hot water, leak detection, backflow prevention, roofing and gutters, irrigation and pre-purchase plumbing inspections. It answers 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and quotes free.

Wigg Plumbing is a locally owned business that has worked across Darwin and the Top End for more than 30 years, from a base on Berrimah Road. It covers Darwin, Palmerston, Nightcliff, Humpty Doo and Berry Springs.

It has been a Rinnai installing and warranty agent for over 30 years, and is the NT agent for Ozzi Kleen wastewater treatment systems. Work includes residential and commercial plumbing, hot water, blocked drains using a drain camera and water jetter, gasfitting, septic systems, bathroom renovations and insurance repairs, where it supplies reports and photos for claims. Office hours are weekdays, with 24/7 emergency call-outs.

Plumbing NT was founded in 2010 by Pat Whitehead and works from Winnellie. It covers Darwin, Palmerston, Coolalinga, Virginia, Humpty Doo and the rural Territory, as well as Alice Springs, and won a Telstra Business Award in 2015.

Much of its work is commercial and civil, for real estate agencies, schools and body corporates, but it attends homes too, especially for emergencies. Services include blocked drains with CCTV, hot water, gas fitting, roof replacements and bathroom and laundry renovations. Its admin staff answer calls 24/7, 365 days a year, and it explains the problem and asks before doing anything that wasn't agreed.

Prestige Plumbing and Renovations is a locally owned business based in Stuart Park, covering Darwin and the wider Territory.

Alongside residential and commercial plumbing, it handles roof plumbing and repairs, hot water repairs and installs, gas appliance installs, drainage repairs and full-scale renovations. It gives upfront estimates, takes bookings online, and runs a 24-hour emergency service with its admin team available 24/7.

Complete Plumbing Solutions NT has traded since April 2018 and works from Yarrawonga in Palmerston, covering Darwin and Palmerston.

The team handles plumbing maintenance, solar and electric hot water installs, blocked drains, taps, and bathroom and kitchen plumbing. Its office is open weekdays, it runs a 24-hour emergency hotline, and it takes bookings online.

MG Plumbing and Maintenance is run by directors Mitchell Glass, who has more than 17 years in the trade and did his apprenticeship in Darwin, and Georgia Foster. It works from Berrimah and covers Darwin through to remote parts of the Territory.

Services include sewer treatment and septic installation, hot water across electric, gas, solar and heat pump systems, maintenance plumbing and pre-purchase reports, roof plumbing, gas work and leak detection, along with commercial plumbing, carpentry and excavation. It offers 24/7 emergency plumbing, 365 days a year.

Premium Plumbing NT is a family-owned business based in Berrimah, covering Darwin, Palmerston and the wider Territory. Its team combines plumbers with 15 years in the industry and a builder and carpenter with 25 years of experience.

Work includes general repairs and maintenance, leak detection, toilets, tapware, burst pipes, water pressure problems, valves, roof leak investigations, gutters and downpipes, and commercial maintenance. It is available 24/7 for emergencies and takes bookings online.

Volume Plumbing is a family-owned business led by director and head plumber Daymian, who has more than 15 years of commercial and domestic experience and moved to Darwin in 2014. It covers Darwin, Leanyer, Nightcliff and Palmerston, and the rural area from Humpty Doo and Noonamah to Berry Springs, Darwin River and Acacia Hills.

Work includes general maintenance and repairs, gas fitting, septic tank and treatment plant installation, renovations and new builds, leaks and burst pipes, drains with CCTV, and electric, gas and solar hot water, including help claiming solar hot water rebates. It works weekdays from 7am to 4pm, after hours by appointment, and can usually help with emergencies the same day.

Humpty Doo Plumbing is a family-owned business that has served the Northern Territory since 1993. Director Dan is a self-certifying plumber, and the business works from Humpty Doo, covering everywhere from Darwin to the rural and remote NT.

Work includes general plumbing and maintenance, septic systems and pumps, Reln drain trenches, water lines, tanks and pumps, solar and electric hot water, drain cleaning with a drain camera, backflow prevention and renovation plumbing. It also prepares wastewater management Section 40s, designs and certificates of compliance. Hours are 7am to 4pm Monday to Saturday, with emergency call-outs on Sundays.