Yes, most states require plumbers to be licensed, and for good reason. Hiring an unlicensed plumber could lead to poor quality work, costly future expenses, and potential code violations. 

As you browse our pro listings, take note of the “Angi Approved” badge. Angi Approved businesses meet our standards for certification which include: 

• The owner, principal, or relevant manager passed a criminal background check

• Required to have applicable state and local licenses

• Maintain an average star rating of 3.0 or better on our network, if they have at least one review

• Paying to advertise their services

• Meeting any other eligibility criteria required by Angi

Keep in mind licensing is different from certifications. A license is a legal requirement to operate a business, while certifications are voluntary.

It’s possible to snake minor drain clogs yourself, provided they sit within a foot or two of the drain itself, but it’s usually best to hire a professional plumber regardless. Even experienced DIYers have a high chance of accidentally pushing the clog further into the drain using a drain snake or another tool, so hiring a plumber is the ideal course of action. A professional plumber can use camera equipment to locate and identify the clog, and remove the entire blockage to fix your issue permanently.

Typically, plumbing repairs cost about $325 per job but can range from $175 to $4,000 or more. Simple fixes, such as a toilet repair, will be less expensive at around $150 to $400. However, if you have a pipe that has burst, you can expect to pay between $1,000 and $4,000 or more. 

The project that needs to be completed, the size of your home, and the type of plumbing pipes you have can all impact the final cost. External factors such as supply chain issues and shortage of materials all play a part in how much this repair might be.

The average cost to unclog a drain is around $200, with prices ranging between $110 and $800, depending on the type of drain and the extent of the clog. Hiring a professional to snake the toilet or sink will usually cost between $110 and $275, a bathtub or shower typically costs around $225, and a main line clog can cost between $100 and $800 based on the severity of the clog and how far beyond the access point the clog sits. Since the labor involved varies, most plumbers will charge an hourly rate for drain cleaning.

The average cost to hire a plumber is around $100 an hour but can vary between $45 and $200 an hour depending on the plumber’s experience and the repair that you need. It’s also important to note that these prices can go up on holidays, and emergency plumber rates average $150 per hour, in addition to a flat-rate trip fee of $100 to $350.