• Lightning-Fast Service Available

  • Transparent, Upfront Pricing — No Surprises

  •  Zero Dispatch Fee on Every Call

  •  Reliable Plumbing Expertise Since 2004.

  • Lightning-Fast Service Available

  • Transparent, Upfront Pricing — No Surprises

  •  Zero Dispatch Fee on Every Call

  •  Reliable Plumbing Expertise Since 2004.

Our Experience

20

+

Years serving vancouver island

Google Rating

4.9

★ 

Hundreds of Reviews

Track Record

10,000

+

Jobs completed

Why we use flat-rate pricing

Most plumbers bill by the hour. We don’t. A newer tech shouldn’t cost you more because the job took longer than it would for someone who’s done it 500 times. You’re paying for a fixed solution, not a stopwatch.

  • Flat-rate pricing, not hourly billing

  • On-site assessment for accurate pricing

  • Clear repair or replacement options

  • Know the full cost before work begins

  • No misleading quotes over the phone

  • No dispatch fee to assess your issue

We don’t charge to come out and assess

Plenty of companies charge just to show up. We don’t. Our technician inspects the issue, scopes the full job, and lays out your options with real pricing attached, before anything gets touched.

$0

dispatch fee to assess your plumbing issue

flat-rate

pricing you approve before work begins

on-site

assessments for accurate, honest pricing

  • You’re investing in a solution, not buying hours on a clock.

How our pricing process works

From your first call to approval, we keep pricing clear and pressure-free.

Plumbing costs in Nanaimo typical investment ranges

Every home is different, so these are ranges to help you plan, not final quotes. We confirm firm pricing after we’ve actually seen the job. Drywall repair and painting are usually billed separately from the plumbing work itself.

Drain Cleaning

$300 and up

Drain cleaning costs vary depending on accessibility, type of blockage, pipe size, length of line, equipment required, and whether a camera inspection is needed.

  • Recurring drain issues

  • Simple fixture clogs

  • Main line blockages

  • Kitchen drain cleaning

  • Sewer backups

If root intrusion or mechanical pipe failure is discovered, additional repairs may be recommended.

$2,000 – $10,000+

Water Heater Replacement

Pricing depends on the type of unit and your home’s configuration. Typical ranges: electric $2,000–$7,000, gas $2,300–$6,000, and tankless $5,000–$10,000+.

  • Tank size & unit selection

  • Venting or electrical upgrades

  • Relocating the appliance

  • Warranty duration

  • Expansion tank & earthquake strapping

Venting, electrical upgrades and code compliance can affect the final price, which is why an on-site evaluation is important.

Varies by site conditions

Sewer Repair

Sewer pricing varies significantly, from spot repairs to partial and full replacements. The biggest cost factors are depth, length, concrete, asphalt, landscaping, trees, city permits and excavation.

  • Spot repairs

  • Partial sewer replacements

  • Full sewer replacements

  • Excavation method & access

  • Surface & landscaping restoration

A sewer six feet deep beneath a landscaped yard costs dramatically less than one ten feet deep beneath a concrete driveway.

$4,000 – $20,000+

Poly-B Replacement

Pricing depends on home size, number of bathrooms, accessibility and your existing plumbing layout. Drywall repair and painting are generally separate from plumbing costs.

  • Number of bathrooms & fixtures

  • Water service configuration

  • Attic access

  • Drywall access requirements

  • Finished basements & crawl spaces

Every home presents different challenges, which is why a proper site visit is essential.

Honest advice and upfront pricing you can trust

We’re not here to talk you into a repair. We’re here to lay out what’s actually wrong, what your options are, and let you pick what fits your home and your budget.

Upfront, flat-rate pricing

You’ll know the full cost before work begins — no hourly surprises, no misleading phone quotes.

Options, not pressure

We explain clear repair or replacement options and let you choose what’s right for your home.

We stand behind our work

Quality products and materials with industry-leading warranty options, including our Care+ Membership.

Licensed & Red Seal techs

Certified professionals who take pride in doing the job right the first time.

Long-term value

We aim for permanent solutions that cost less over time, not the cheapest fix today.

No dispatch fee

We don’t charge to come out and assess your plumbing issue. Book with confidence.

What’s included in our pricing?

When comparing plumbing quotes, it’s important to understand what’s included. Our pricing may include a lot more than a cheaper quote leaves out.

  • Licensed technicians

  • Insurance coverage

  • Quality products

  • Ongoing customer service

  • Red Seal professionals

  • Material sourcing

  • Warranty support

  • Professional installation

Manage major repairs with financing

Big plumbing jobs have a habit of showing up uninvited. We offer financing through Finance-it so you can handle major repairs and upgrades without draining your savings account in one shot.

 Why Nanaimo homeowners choose Thunderbird Plumbing

 Fast. Local. Reliable. Here’s why your neighbours call Thunderbird first.

We’re licensed, insured, and we’ve seen the plumbing problems specific to this island, from aging infrastructure in older Nanaimo homes to root intrusion out in Cedar and Lantzville. We show up on time, tell you what’s going on in plain language, and stand behind what we fix.

Here since 2004

Serving Vancouver Island for over 20 years.

No surprise charges

You approve the price before we touch anything.

Family & founder operated

Aaron and his crew, not a franchise.

The most expensive mistake homeowners make

The biggest mistake we see? Chasing the lowest number. We’ve gone back to homes where the same “quick fix” got attempted two or three times, when the permanent repair would’ve cost less from the start. Sewer lines, water services, water heaters, and Poly-B systems are the usual repeat offenders.

Feature

  • Pricing

  • Dispatch fees

  • What’s included

  • The Solution

  • Long-Term Cost

  • Warranty & Follow-Up

  • Upfront, flat-rate pricing you approve before any work begins

  • No dispatch or call-out fees to assess your issue

  • Licensed techs, insurance, quality products, cleanup and warranty support

  • Permanent solutions built to last

  • Costs less over time, a customer for life

  • Industry-leading warranties and a company that stands behind the work

Typical Service

  • Hourly rates that climb once they’re on site

  • Hidden call-out and trip charges

  • Bare-minimum work with hidden exclusions

  • Temporary fixes that fail again

  • Repeat repairs that add up

  • Disappears when warranty issues arise

What Our Customers Are Saying

Real Google reviews from local homeowners across Vancouver Island.

2 weeks ago

 ”Thunderbird Plumbing showed up quickly, explained everything clearly, and solved a drain problem we had for years. Professional from start to finish. Highly recommend to anyone in Victoria.”

1 month ago

“Quick response and professional service. They solved a recurring drain issue no one else could fix. Worth every penny — the problem hasn’t come back since.”

3 weeks ago

“Honest, reliable, and very knowledgeable team. They showed us the camera footage, explained the issue clearly, and fixed it properly. Best plumbing experience we’ve had.”

1 month ago

“Called Thunderbird for a blocked sewer line and they were out the same day. Very thorough inspection and clear explanation of what needed to be done. No upselling, just honest work.”

2 months ago

“Excellent service from start to finish. The technician was on time, very professional, and cleaned up completely after the job. Our drain issue is completely resolved. Will definitely use again.”

2 months ago

“Had a serious root intrusion in our sewer line. Thunderbird did a full camera inspection, explained our options clearly, and completed the repair efficiently. Very impressed with their expertise.”

6 weeks ago

Had a great experience with Thunderbird Plumbing in Nanaimo. The team was professional, knowledgeable, and easy to work with from start to finish. They arrived on time, clearly explained the repairs that were needed, and completed the work efficiently and to a high standard. It’s refreshing to find a company that takes pride in their workmanship and customer service. I would highly recommend Thunderbird Plumbing to anyone looking for reliable and honest plumbing service in the Nanaimo area. Thank you for the excellent work!

6 weeks ago

Excellent service from start to finish! The plumber arrived on time, was professional, friendly, and quickly fixed the issue. The work was done efficiently and everything was left clean and tidy. Great communication, fair pricing, and outstanding customer service. Highly recommend Thunderbird Plumbing!

3 months ago

I’ve been a customer at Thunderbird Plumbing for over a decade. They always provide excellent service. This time my old on-demand water heater finally needed to be replaced. The first visit was to diagnose the problem and the second to do the replacement. On both occasions the communication about the appointment was excellent. Zach J, who did the assessment and the work, was a pleasure to deal with. All my questions were answered. Everything went smoothly and took a little less time than expected. I’m very glad to have this particular creature comfort back! And I highly recommend this company.

2 months ago

The Thunderbird Plumbing tech, Quincy, was great. Good communicator. Did the job quickly and efficiently. Was thoughtful enough to ask whether there was any other issue he could help with, which there was. This saved me another call out. The prices were very reasonable. I absolutely recommend Thunderbird and Quincy.

2 weeks ago

From start to end I found Thunderbird and the tech Brodie to be friendly, quick, and professional. I am pleased with the job completed and will be using them for future work! A+ experience.

a months ago

Super fast and professional service. I called to inquire about replacing my hot water tank (not an emergency, just thought it was time), and they arranged to send someone out the next day – and then called to offer an even earlier appointment that day when they had a cancellation. Quincy called me on his way here and offered to quote me over the phone if I could send him some pictures of my old tank, so that he could arrive prepared and ready to work if I agreed with the quote. Once on site, he clearly and thoroughly explained the work he needed to do, including work to bring my tank up to code, and did a great job, leaving me with a brand new tank and the place as clean as he found it. My cats also thoroughly enjoyed him, lol. Thunderbird’s pricing wasn’t necessarily as cheap as AI and Reddit research suggested it would be, but for the quality of work, the replacement tank, and the prompt and professional service, it was very good value for money and I’m happy. Will definitely use Quincy and Thunderbird next time we need plumbing services.

4 months ago

We use Thunderbird for our Vacation Rental management business. They have installed an on demand boiler, numerous service calls, re-plumbed existing drain lines in old houses and can troubleshoot very well and efficiently. Great team, great service. Thank you Janea, Quincy, Zach and the rest of the company for delivering a top notch customer experience and quality work.
Orion & Lesley ~ Coast & Host Vacation Rentals

4 months ago

Thunderbird is excellent. Their customer service is fantastic, our staff are well treated by their techs and we are always so pleased with their recommendations and labor. Our organization uses Thunderbird regularly and its so wonderful to have a helpful, trustworthy, reliable and kind team to help us with time sensitive and essential projects.

6 months ago

Thunderbird Plumbing completed our home’s Poly-B and mainline replacement. As with any major project, a few hiccups arose along the way, but Shaun and the Poly-B team listened carefully to our concerns and addressed them promptly and professionally. Thank you to Derek for an excellent job on the drainage trench and pipe.
Cole and his plumbing crew did solid, efficient work throughout the project. Dale and Shamboo were outstanding—the repairs were done to a high standard and everything was left looking great.
Overall, we were pleased with the responsiveness and quality of work from the entire team.

6 months ago

We thought Brodie was excellent, seemed to really know what he was doing, had a plan for the removal of the Poly B and replace with Pex piping in our 3 story house and was very good at explaining the job. Would definitely recommend Brodie and Thunderbird Plumbing for this type of project.

7 months ago

Toby did a great job and repairing a leak of some pipes in our crawl space. He contacted me in advance and was able to come 30 minutes sooner which was helpful. He explained everything to me that he was going to do before repairing the leak and also explained that other work should be done and that he would send me a quote for this the same day. I would most definitely use Thunderbird plumbing again. The price was reasonable.

8 months ago

Brodie carefully replaced the cartridges in the faucets that fill my claw foot tub, and very senior bathroom sink, in my 1911 home. I really appreciated how he communicated his arrival time, arrived on time, was respectful of my possessions/ house, was sweet with my pets, was knowledgable when diagnosing the problems, and explained the problems to me with patience. Brodie was efficient and capable; funny and kind. This is the third time I’ve used Thunderbird Plumbing, and I feel lucky to have discovered them.

9 months ago

Both times I’ve called on Thunderbird the people I’ve worked with have been great and the price has been competitive. They don’t charge a call-out fee and their prices are fixed instead of hourly.

Frequently Asked Questions

 Water heater questions, answered.

 It depends on the job. Drain cleaning starts around $300, water heater replacement runs $2,000 to $10,000+, and sewer or Poly-B work varies more depending on your home. We give you firm pricing after a quick on-site look, not a guess over the phone.

 No. We never charge to come out and assess your plumbing issue.

 So you’re not penalized if the job takes longer than expected. You know the total cost upfront, and it doesn’t change based on how long we’re at your house.

 Because no two homes are the same. Accessibility, pipe age, and existing plumbing all affect the cost, and we need to see it to price it accurately.

 

Yes, through Finance-it, for larger repairs and replacements.

Licensed and Red Seal techs, insurance coverage, quality materials, cleanup, and warranty support, all in one number.

Prefer we call you?

Tell us what’s going on and our Nanaimo team will reach out to schedule an on-site assessment and provide upfront pricing before any work begins.

  • Licensed technicians

  • Insurance coverage

  • Quality products

  • Ongoing customer service

  • Red Seal professionals

  • Material sourcing

  • Warranty support

  • Professional installation

Prefer calling instead?

Request Your Upfront Pricing

Fill out the form and our team will contact you to book your service — often same-day.

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