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.

Before finding the right plumber for your job, there are a few questions that you should ask, including: 

• Are you licensed and insured?

• Do you charge for estimates? 

• Is your fee a flat rate, or is it hourly?

• Who will do the work? Are they all licensed and qualified plumbers?

• What happens if any breaks or damages occur?

• What is your response time in an emergency? 

• Is cleanup included in the quote?

• Do your services come with a guarantee?

Discussing these questions with your plumbing contractor will help eliminate future issues and clarify expectations. 

Before your plumber pays you a visit, it’s a good idea to clean up any boxes, garbage, or other obstacles that could be in their way. In addition, it’s best practice to clean the area that needs to be inspected or worked on, like a toilet, for example. Make sure to keep kids and pets out of the way once the plumber arrives.

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 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.