What to look for
- A current plumbing license where your state or city requires one
- Liability insurance, and workers' compensation if they have employees
- Experience with your exact job, like water heaters or drain lines
- Recent reviews that mention showing up on time and fair pricing
- A clear warranty on both parts and labor
Questions to ask before you hire
- Do you charge a flat rate or by the hour, and is there a service call fee?
- Is the diagnosis fee credited toward the repair?
- Who pulls the permit if the job needs one?
- What does your warranty cover, and for how long?
- Do you charge more for nights, weekends or emergencies?
Getting and comparing quotes
Describe the problem the same way to each plumber, and ask each for a written quote that lists the work, parts, permit and cleanup. Very low quotes sometimes leave out parts or permits, so compare what's included and not just the total.
Red flags
- Won't give a price or scope in writing
- Asks for full payment up front
- Can't show a license or proof of insurance
- Pushes a much bigger job without explaining why