If your shower is draining slowly, gurgling, or backing up, it’s tempting to try DIY hacks first. But when the clog is stubborn or recurring, you’ll likely call a plumber. How much should you expect to pay for that service in the Atlantaarea? The short answer: it depends on severity, accessibility, and whether it’s an emergency call — but a typical shower unclog will often land somewhere between $100 and $250, perhaps more in difficult cases.
Here’s a detailed breakdown so you know what to expect (and how to avoid sticker shock) – lets go
Why Prices Vary So Much
Several key factors influence what you’ll actually pay:
- Severity & location of the clog
A clog just past the shower drain is easier to reach and cheaper than one deeper in the branch line or main. - Accessibility
If the drain needs to be dug up or pipes must be disassembled, costs go up. - Method used
A plumber may use a hand auger (snake), motorized cable machine, hydro-jetting, or camera inspection. More advanced tools cost more. - Service call / trip fee / minimum
Many plumbers charge a base or minimum fee just for showing up, before labor or parts. - After-hours / emergency premiums
Nights, weekends, and holidays often carry a surcharge. - Local labor rates, permits, and overhead
Metro Atlanta’s traffic, permit requirements, and competition all influence final pricing.
Typical Price Ranges in Atlanta
Here are ballpark figures and local benchmarks:
- Basic drain clearing / unclogging (shower, tub, sink)
Expect $100 to $250 for a standard clog that’s relatively straightforward. This aligns with national averages (for tub/shower) of $100–$275 for simple snaking. HomeGuide - Plumbers’ general job average
Angi reports that plumbers in Atlanta average around $316 per job, with many projects falling between $174 and $460. Angi - Fixed-fee range for unclogging shower / tub / sink
According to ProMatcher, clearing a clog in a sink, tub, or shower in Atlanta is often quoted at ~$123.89 (range ~$111.39 to ~$136.38) for a standard job. plumbers.promatcher.com - Drain cleaning / more serious clogs
HomeYou lists that cleaning a bathroom drain in Atlanta typically costs $100 to $200, while more complex or main line issues can reach $180–$400. Homeyou - Local promotional / special offers
Some Atlanta plumbing companies run specials — for instance, one firm offers a main drain cleaning starting at $89, though that may or may not include the shower line specifically. Reliable Heating & Air
What a Typical Job Might Look Like
Here’s how a plumber might break down a shower unclog job and how those pieces contribute to cost:
| Task | Estimated Time / Difficulty | Cost Contribution |
|---|---|---|
| Trip / service call fee | 15–30 mins or base minimum | $50–$100 (or rolled into flat fee) |
| Labor to snake / clear clog | 10–60 mins depending on depth | $50–$150+ |
| Use of motorized cable / auger | If clog is deeper | Additional $20–$100 |
| Camera inspection | Sometimes used if clog source isn’t obvious | $100–$200 extra |
| Parts / minor repairs | If contributing pipe damage, fittings, etc. | Varies — tens to low hundreds |
| After-hours / emergency fee | If work is done outside business hours | 20–50%+ surcharge |
For example, a simple clog near the drain cover might only require a hand snake and take 10–15 minutes; the plumber might quote you a $125 flat fee including service call. A deeper or more stubborn clog deeper in the line, requiring motor cable or camera work, might push the job to $200–$300.
Tips to Reduce the Cost
- Ask for a flat quote rather than “hourly” — many plumbers offer this for drain work.
- Do basic prep: remove your shower drain cover, try a plunger or hand snake first — if you can partially clear it, the plumber has less work.
- Avoid peak / emergency times if not urgent — call during regular business hours.
- Get multiple quotes — even for a small job, local competition may vary.
- Ask what’s included — sometimes the “unclog” cost excludes camera inspection or repeated passes.
- Bundling work — if you have other plumbing tasks, combining them can reduce overhead per job.
Sample Scenario
Let’s say your shower is draining painfully slow, and water is pooling. You call a plumber during normal business hours. They come, inspect, snake the line, and the clog clears. The total invoice may read:
- Service call / base fee: $75
- Labor & snake cable: $100
- (No parts needed)
- Total: $175
If camera inspection was needed or if access was restricted, it might rise to $225–$275 or more.
Final Thought
In Atlanta, for a standard shower unclog, you should reasonably expect to pay somewhere between $100 and $250, with many mid-size jobs falling in that range. If a plumber is quoting you $400+ for a simple shower clog (without other issues), it’s worth asking for a breakdown and comparing a few local estimates.
If you’d like, I can pull live quotes from Atlanta plumbing services (with business names and phone numbers) to help your readers see real current pricing. Do you want me to fetch that?