8 Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Plumber

Plumbing problems have a way of happening at the worst possible time — a leaking pipe on a holiday weekend, a water heater that quits mid-winter. When you're stressed, it's easy to hire the first person who answers the phone. Don't.

These eight questions take less than five minutes but can save you thousands.

1. Are you licensed in Texas?

Texas requires all plumbers to hold a state-issued license from the Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners (TSBPE). There are different license levels — Tradesman, Journeyman, and Master Plumber. For most home work, a licensed Journeyman supervised by a Master Plumber is fine. Verify any license at tsbpe.texas.gov.

2. Are you insured and bonded?

Plumbing work carries real risk — a mistake can cause thousands in water damage. Ask for proof of general liability insurance (minimum $300,000 per occurrence is standard) and confirm they carry workers' comp if they have employees.

3. Do you give written estimates before starting?

Any reputable plumber will provide a written estimate detailing labor, parts, and the scope of work — before they start. A verbal estimate leaves you with no recourse if the final bill looks different.

4. What's your service call or trip fee?

In the Dallas area, trip fees typically run $50 to $100. Ask whether that fee is applied toward the cost of the repair, or charged separately. Also ask whether they charge by the hour or flat-rate per job — flat-rate is usually more predictable.

5. Do you pull permits for large jobs?

Permitted work protects you when you sell your home. A plumber who skips permits on water heater replacements, repiping, or major fixture installs is cutting corners that could cost you later in inspections or insurance claims.

6. What brands of fixtures do you work with?

If you have specific fixtures (Kohler, Delta, Moen) or a tankless water heater brand, ask if they're trained on those products. Not every plumber is familiar with every system.

7. How do you handle unexpected issues?

Once walls are opened, plumbers sometimes find additional problems — old galvanized pipes, improper previous repairs, etc. Ask what their process is for communicating and pricing unexpected work before they proceed.

8. Can you provide neighbor references?

The best plumbers in any neighborhood are usually the ones your neighbors call back again. Ask for local references, or check if any neighbors in your ZIP code have already recommended them on a service like ZipServ — that recommendation carries real weight.

Signs of a good plumber

• Arrives on time and calls if running late
• Explains the problem in plain language, not jargon
• Shows you the issue before starting work
• Protects your floors and cleans up after the job
• Provides a written receipt with warranty information

A plumber recommended by a neighbor who's already used them has skin in the game — they vouched for that person to someone they know. That accountability is worth more than a hundred five-star reviews from strangers.