Finding a good plumber in Dublin usually happens at the worst possible moment — a burst pipe on a Sunday, a boiler that quits in January. A little groundwork now saves the panic later. Here’s how to hire one you can trust, and seven names worth saving to your phone before you need them.
How to hire a plumber you can trust
Anyone can call themselves a plumber, so a few quick checks are worth the two minutes. Before you hand over a key or pay a deposit, run through this:
- Gas work? Check the RGII register. By law, anyone working on gas in Ireland — including gas boilers — must be a Registered Gas Installer. Verify them for free on the Register of Gas Installers of Ireland. If they’re not on it, walk away.
- Ask for insurance. A proper firm carries public-liability insurance and will happily confirm it. No cover means you’re exposed if something goes wrong.
- Get it in writing. A written quote — not a vague number over the phone — protects both of you. For bigger jobs, get two or three and compare like with like.
- Look for real reviews of real jobs. Recent, specific reviews beat a wall of five-star ratings with no detail.
- Know your rights. Citizens Information sets out your consumer rights on quotes, deposits and shoddy work if a job goes sideways.
If you ever smell gas, don’t wait for a plumber — leave the building and call the 24-hour emergency line on 1800 20 50 50. Only a Registered Gas Installer should work on gas appliances.
Seven Dublin plumbers worth saving
Every firm below is the kind of local operation we’d call ourselves — the sort with a real address, a phone someone answers and a track record of ordinary jobs done well. As always, these are editorial picks; nobody paid for a place.
Liffey Plumbing & Heating
The reliable all-rounder for everyday jobs — leaks, taps, radiators, small installs — across the city. Turn up on time, tidy up after, fair prices; the boring virtues that actually matter.
The first number to save for general plumbing.
Covers Dublin city & suburbs · Good for everyday repairs and installs
Southside Boiler Care
Heating specialists for the southside, strong on annual boiler servicing and getting cold houses warm again fast. RGII-registered for gas work, which is exactly what you want here.
Book the service in autumn, not in the January cold snap.
Covers Rathmines, Dundrum & south Dublin · Good for boiler service & repair
Northside Gas & Plumbing
A safe pair of hands for gas and heating on the northside, and properly registered for it. Clear quotes, no surprises on the bill, and happy to explain what they’re doing and why.
The northside go-to for anything gas-related.
Covers Drumcondra, Glasnevin & north Dublin · Good for gas boilers & heating
Rapid Response Plumbers
The one for a 3am disaster. A genuine 24-hour emergency service that actually answers, with a fast turnaround on burst pipes, major leaks and blocked drains across the city.
Save this before you need it — you’ll be glad you did.
Covers Dublin, 24/7 · Good for emergencies & call-outs
Coastal Plumbing
Strong on bathroom work and renovations across the south county coast. Tidy, well-finished jobs and good communication on the bigger installs where that matters most.
The pick for a bathroom done properly.
Covers Dún Laoghaire & south county · Good for bathrooms & renovations
Fingal Plumbing Services
Covers the ground a lot of city firms won’t — Swords, Malahide and out into Fingal — for everyday domestic plumbing. Local, responsive and fairly priced.
The reliable option beyond the M50 on the northside.
Covers Swords, Malahide & Fingal · Good for domestic plumbing
The Dublin Bathroom Company
For a full bathroom refurbishment rather than a quick fix. They project-manage the lot — plumbing, tiling, the finish — so you’re dealing with one team, not five trades.
The choice when it’s a proper renovation, not a repair.
Covers Dublin city & county · Good for full bathroom renovations
Frequently asked questions
How much does a plumber cost in Dublin?
For small jobs, expect a call-out fee plus an hourly or fixed rate; emergency and out-of-hours call-outs cost more. Always get a written quote first, and for bigger jobs compare two or three. Citizens Information explains your rights around quotes and deposits.
Do I need a registered plumber for a gas boiler?
Yes. Any work on gas appliances, including gas boilers, must legally be done by a Registered Gas Installer. Check anyone before they start on the free RGII register.
What should I do in a plumbing emergency?
Turn off the water at the mains and, for a leak near electrics, the power too. For a burst pipe, call a 24-hour service like Rapid Response Plumbers. If you smell gas, leave and call the emergency line on 1800 20 50 50.