Drain cleaning cost by drain
| Which drain | Installed price | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Kitchen sink | $100–$300 | Grease and food scraps are the usual cause |
| Bathroom sink, tub or shower | $100–$250 | Hair and soap scum; tubs and showers share a drain |
| Toilet | $100–$275 | Usually a plunger or a toilet auger first |
| Laundry drain | $150–$250 | Lint and detergent buildup; priced by one guide only |
The guides agree closely on single drains. HomeGuide puts the national average for unclogging at $216, minimum $75 and maximum $550, typically $100 to $275. Angi puts the average at $246, typically $147 to $352, and Fixr puts a kitchen sink at $300, typically $250 to $400. Forbes Home puts the average at $250, with a kitchen or bathroom sink at $125 to $225, in line with the table above.
Cost by method
| Drain | Snaking | Hydro jetting | Snaking with a camera inspection |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kitchen sink | $100–$300 | $250–$750 | $230–$800 |
| Bathroom sink, tub or shower | $100–$250 | $250–$630 | $230–$750 |
| Toilet | $100–$280 | $250–$690 | $230–$780 |
| Laundry drain | $150–$250 | $380–$630 | $280–$750 |
The jetting price is the snaking price times 2.5, the average of the ratios HomeGuide and Fixr give. Hydro jetting is rarely needed for a sink; it is mostly used on main lines, which are covered by sewer line cleaning cost. The guides contradict themselves on the main line, with HomeGuide giving $175 to $800 in one table and $200 to $1,400 in another, so we do not model it here.
What changes the price
- Which drain. Toilets and tubs cost a little more than sinks, and a main line costs far more.
- Method. Snaking is cheapest, and hydro jetting costs about two to three times as much.
- How severe. A clog deep in the line needs a power auger or a camera.
- The time of day. Nights, weekends and holidays carry a premium.
- Call-out fee. Many plumbers charge a fee to come out, which they may waive if you hire them.
- Where you live. The calculator adjusts the labor share for your state's plumber wages.
Extras to expect
| Item | Typical cost | When it applies |
|---|---|---|
| Camera inspection | $125–$500 | To find what is blocking the line |
| Service call fee | $50–$200 | When it is not waived or included |
| After-hours service | $50–$200 | Nights, weekends and holidays |
If drains keep clogging, the problem may be deeper: see sewer line cleaning cost and sewer line replacement cost. Related jobs: garbage disposal installation cost, toilet installation cost and French drain installation cost for outdoor drainage.
Questions to ask before you hire
- Is the price flat, or by the hour, and is there a minimum?
- Is the service call fee waived if I hire you?
- Will you snake first, and when would you recommend jetting?
- What does a camera inspection cost, and is it worth it for this clog?
- Is there a warranty if the drain clogs again soon?
Methodology and sources
We price each drain from published guides, take the middle of their lows, midpoints and highs, and adjust the labor share for your state's wages. Forbes Home is used as an independent cross-check. Read how we estimate costs.
- HomeGuide: drain cleaning cost — price by drain and method, fees
- HomeGuide: cost to unclog or snake a drain — national average, camera inspection, call-out fee
- Angi: drain cleaning cost — national average and price by drain
- Fixr: cost to unclog a kitchen sink — price by method, after-hours fees, labor share
- Forbes Home: cost to snake a drain — used as an independent cross-check
- BLS OEWS May 2025, State (SOC 47-2152, Plumbers) — state labor index
What each source reports
Our estimate does not rely on any single page. This table lists each page we used and the figures it reports, so you can see where the ranges come from.
| Source | What it reports |
|---|---|
| HomeGuide |
|
| Angi |
|
| Fixr |
|
| HomeGuide | Roto-Rooter camera inspection $295-$350 (byline Dec 2025) |
Common questions about drain cleaning costs
How much does drain cleaning cost?
A typical job (kitchen sink) comes to about $170 nationally, within a range of $100 to $300. Use the calculator above to adjust for your state, the options you choose and any extras.
How much does it cost to unclog a kitchen sink?
About $100–$300. HomeGuide puts it at $100 to $220 and Angi at $110 to $215, while Fixr puts the average at $300.
How much does it cost to unclog a toilet?
About $100–$275. HomeGuide puts it at $100 to $275 and Angi at $110 to $275.
How much does it cost to unclog a bathtub or shower drain?
About $100–$250. HomeGuide puts a bathroom sink, tub or shower at $100 to $250.
How much does it cost to snake a drain?
HomeGuide puts the national average for unclogging at $216, typically $100 to $275, and Angi puts it at $246, typically $147 to $352.
How much does hydro jetting a drain cost?
A kitchen sink costs about $250–$750 with hydro jetting. HomeGuide puts jetting at $300 to $800 (listed for severe main drain cleaning) and Fixr at $300 to $500.
How much does a camera inspection cost?
About $125–$500. HomeGuide puts a sewer camera inspection at $125 to $500 and Fixr at $200 to $400.
Do plumbers charge a service call fee?
Often, at about $50–$200, though it is usually waived or folded into the price when you hire the same company.
How much does after-hours drain cleaning cost?
Fixr puts an after-hours call-out fee at $50 to $100, plus a premium of $45 to $200 per hour. HomeGuide says emergency pricing is often two to three times the standard price.
How much of the cost is labor?
Fixr puts labor at about $200 of its $300 average, or roughly two thirds of the total.
Where do these prices come from?
They come from 4 published cost pages from 3 publishers, last checked Oct 9, 2026. We report what those pages say and do not invent figures; the table above shows each source.
How does my state change the estimate?
The labor part of the price is scaled by the average wage for the relevant trade in your state, using Bureau of Labor Statistics data. Materials and equipment are not adjusted.
Why might a contractor's quote differ from this estimate?
A quote reflects your specific scope, access, local demand and what the contractor includes. Ask for line items rather than a single total so you can compare bids on the same basis.
All 4 sources behind these prices
Every figure in the calculator comes from one or more of these pages, with the number each one supports in the link text.