Hiring a licensed plumber with experience and insurance is well worth the added peace of mind
Verifying that a plumber is licensed confirms they have completed thousands of training hours and passed specialized exams required in your state.
You can check a plumber's license status by asking to see their credentials, searching their website, or using your state's license board verification tool.
Licensed plumbers stay current on building codes, which protects your home's safety and helps you avoid costly code violations down the road.
Hiring a local plumbing professional provides peace of mind with insurance and bonding coverage, plus the expertise to spot preventative maintenance issues early.
A fully functioning plumbing system is one of those background necessities you don’t appreciate until something breaks or it stops working. When this happens, most homeowners try to save money by hiring someone they know who is “pretty good with a snake drain” but isn’t anywhere near a licensed plumber.
Unfortunately, hiring an unlicensed plumber is more costly and risky than the alternative. So, why not take a few extra moments to hire the most experienced and knowledgeable pro for the job? Here’s how to check if a plumber is licensed and why it’s so important.
Here are a few ways to verify if your plumbing contractor is truly qualified to work on your home.
Yes, one of the fastest ways to find out if your plumber is licensed is to ask them if they’re qualified. Since most plumbers carry their state license with them, they shouldn’t have any problem showing you.
If a contractor refuses to share it, then you should consider hiring a different plumber, as this is a definite red flag. Ask your friends and family for plumber recommendations and always read their reviews before signing a contract.
Their website is another place you can search for a plumber’s license, as well as their qualifications and testimonials. If they display recent certifications as well, then it’s a good indicator they’re licensed and up-to-date on their training.
A website or social media page is common these days, but don’t take a lack of web presence to mean they are not licensed.
You can verify that your plumber is licensed (or confirm their license is active) through your state’s license board. Here, you can browse a list of all currently licensed plumbers by searching their name, license number, and city or town they’re licensed in.
Quickly access your state’s online records by using the Angi licensing tool. Simply select the state you live in and your contractor's trade or profession to the website you need to verify credentials.
You might be tempted to hire your neighbor or family member familiar with plumbing to save a few bucks, but that’s not always the best choice. Here are a few very important reasons why your plumber should be licensed.
Truthfully, you don’t need a license to have experience in plumbing. But it can be tough to know for sure whether your plumber has the necessary training and expertise to solve your problem without one.
Some states require thousands of hours of training as an apprentice before earning your license. And nearly all states (44 of them) require the completion of specialized exams. When your plumber is licensed, you can be confident that they have the necessary certifications, training, and experience to help you.
Building codes are there for a reason—your safety and protection. A licensed plumber stays up-to-date on all building codes to ensure your home is a safe place for you and your family.
Both you and your plumber would be covered in the unfortunate event of damages to your property or injuries sustained on the job. If your contractor is also bonded, that’s even better. These insurances guarantee you financial protection should the plumber deliver problematic work (though, we sincerely hope they do not).
Plumbers without a state license might save you a few bucks at first, but they can cost you tremendously in the long run should you need to double back and fix their mistakes.
A licensed plumber near you, on the other hand, can perform a more detailed inspection and be more proactive in spotting preventative maintenance items. That way, you can avoid any unseen and costly problems in the future, like having to rush an emergency plumber to your home to repair a burst pipe.
A plumbing license is not the same as a business license. All businesses must have a business license in the jurisdiction where they operate, but this does not certify that the contractor can work as a licensed plumber. Ask to see copies of both their business license and plumbing license before making a hiring decision.
Positive experience. As previously stated, the replacement/repair could not be completed (no fault of the plumbing tech) b/c misinformation was rec?d by property management maintenance. Thanks to the plumbing tech for your efforts. Appreciate you!
The WaterworksIf you want to pay the most exorbitant prices possible for your job, this is the company for you. “By the job” pricing is a rip-off, at least how these people use it. Every job is plugged into a category and prices are set by category. You might have a job that takes half an hour or one that...
Benjamin Franklin PlumbingCole has been handling plumbing and general contracting for our four properties over the past three years, and he’s always done a great job. Most recently, he installed a sink and countertop in our retail store where none existed before, and it turned out exactly how we needed. He’s...
ANB Renovations LLCMatt is a consummate professional. The work turned out to be far more difficult than expected and rather than turn the job down, Matt rose to the occasion and completed a near impossible task. I can not recommend Greene's Plumbing Service more highly. On a scale of 1-5 I would give Matt a...
Greene's Plumbing ServiceInvolved an extensive bathroom remodel, including removing tub & installing walk in shower, new drywall, custome tile work to ceiling, plumbing, etc. Overall, job was done on time and on budget. Nick & his team were very professional and had high attention to detail. Quality was great. Highly...
Stamos Flooring and Remodeling LLCAwesome company. Had a jacuzzi tub taken out and replaced with huge walk in shower with partial glass enclosure. Onyx to the ceiling with a decorative border, moved plumbing and installed hand held shower, new ceiling, flooring, and paint. Replaced window with glass block. Everything was done...
Columbus Bath DesignThe initial quoted price from a walk-through seemed high, but we discussed that the quote represented worst case scenario (re-wiring to two floors) and we were excited about the opportunity to have the work done in a timely manner with closing for fire safety reasons, etc. When the job was...
Initially, I called the Service People to have a leaking garbage disposal replaced. I had purchased a special deal through Angie's List: $79 for $200-worth of plumbing services. <br /> When I went to schedule the work, the earliest date I could get through Angie's List was after the upcoming...
This company did a very good job on the brick wall and it looks just amazing. The staff was always professional and was practically OCD on how the bricks were stacked and how they were laid. Although it took longer than expected, I am willing to sacrifice time over perfection anyday. The...
My Handy Mate LLC Improvement & Remodeling<p>I am so glad we called Rotor-Rooter. I was hesitant to call them because we usually prefer to give business to local providers. But when we had sewage back up in our basement on a Saturday evening, I had a hard time getting a hold of someone, not to mention the high weekend/evening rate...
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