Key takeaways
- Check the license and ask for proof of insurance before work starts.
- Get a written estimate that says what is included.
- Ask who pulls the permit, and which permits apply to your job.
- Watch for red flags: cash only, a big deposit, pressure to decide now, and a knock on your door.
- For a big job, get more than one estimate. For a leak, shut the water off first and get help fast.
- We don't rank plumbers or name companies on this page. It is a checklist you can use with anyone.
Before you call: what to have ready
Plumbers can say more, and quote more accurately, if you can tell them a few things:
- Where the problem is and what you see: a leak, a clog, no hot water, no water at all.
- Whether you have shut off the water and whether it is still running.
- How old the house or the equipment is, if you know.
- Whether you are on city water and sewer, or a well and septic. That changes who can help.
- A photo, if they ask for one.
If water is running and won't stop, shut off the main first. The usual spots are a basement or crawlspace wall, a utility closet or the garage. Emergency plumber lists what to do in the first five minutes.
Step 1: Check the license
The Federal Trade Commission advises considering only contractors who are licensed and insured, and says to confirm the license with your state or county government. In Tennessee, the Board for Licensing Contractors has a "Verify a License" lookup on its consumer resources page, and the public search is at verify.tn.gov.
When you look someone up:
- Make sure the name on the license matches the name on the estimate and the truck or invoice.
- Check that the license is active.
- Check that the license covers the kind of work you need.
- Ask the plumber for the license number. A real contractor will give it.
Tennessee sets different license levels by the size of the job. According to the state's page on who needs a Limited Licensed Plumber license:
- A Limited Licensed Plumber license covers plumbing projects under $25,000, counting materials and labor.
- A project of $25,000 or more needs a contractor license (CMC or CMC-A).
- Local governments can have their own plumbing codes, and some require a local license on top of the state one.
A cheap small repair and a big repipe can need different licenses. Ask which license the plumber holds and check it matches the size of your job.
Step 2: Ask for proof of insurance
The FTC says to ask the contractor for proof of insurance. It protects you if someone is hurt on the job or something is damaged. Ask for the paperwork, not a promise on the phone, and keep a copy.
Step 3: Get a written estimate
The FTC says a written estimate should include a description of the work to be done, the materials, the completion date and the price. Add to that:
- The service fee or trip fee, if there is one.
- Whether the price is flat or billed by the hour.
- What is not included, and what could change the price once the work starts.
- Who is responsible for repairing walls or floors if they have to be opened.
If two estimates for the same job are far apart, ask each company to explain the difference. The FTC suggests asking for an explanation when estimates differ widely. For a sense of what jobs cost nationally, with the source and date on each figure, see what plumbing jobs cost.
Step 4: Ask about permits
The state says a local permit is required for every plumbing project, whatever its size. Ask the plumber which permits your job needs and who pulls them. Be careful if someone asks you to get the permit yourself. The FTC lists that among the signs of a scam.
Step 5: Ask good questions
- Will you do the work yourself, or send someone else? Who will be at the house?
- How long should it take?
- What does the warranty cover, and for how long, on parts and on labor? Get it in writing.
- What happens if you find something else once the work starts?
- Is there an extra charge for nights, weekends or holidays?
- How will I pay, and when?
Red flags
The FTC lists these signs of a home improvement scam. Treat any of them as a reason to stop and check.
- Someone knocks on your door saying they are "in the area" and can do the work.
- You're asked to pay for everything up front, or to pay in cash only.
- You're pressured to decide right away.
- You're asked to get the building permits yourself.
The FTC also advises: "Don't pay the full amount for the project up front." It adds that some states limit the amount a contractor can ask for as a down payment. A deposit for materials can be normal on a large job, but ask what it is for and get it in writing. Don't pay a large amount before work begins.
What about a plumber you found through an ad or a call line?
Treat every plumber the same, however you found them. Run the same checks: license, insurance, written estimate, permits. A phone line like ours helps you find a plumber. It doesn't replace your own checks, and it doesn't set the price or do the work. Our homeowner's plumbing guide has more on what to do before you hire anyone.
Plumbing isn't the only trade you may need after a leak. Our list of local home-service businesses covers roofers, electricians, heating and air companies and home inspectors. It is a plain list, and being on it is not an endorsement.
Comparing two estimates
When two estimates for the same job come back far apart, don't just pick the lower one. Lay them side by side and check:
- Scope. Does each include the same work, the same parts and the same cleanup?
- Permit. Is it included, and who pulls it?
- Disposal. Is hauling away the old equipment in the price?
- Warranty. What does it cover, and for how long?
- Timing. When can each company start, and how long will the work take?
- Fees. Is there a service fee, an after-hours charge or a return-visit charge?
A cheaper estimate that leaves out the permit or the disposal may cost the same in the end. Ask both companies to explain the difference. The answer tells you a lot about how each one works.
Calling at night or on a weekend
After-hours calls often cost more, and they are also when people are most likely to skip the checks. Ask for the service fee on the phone before anyone drives out. Ask for the license number and a written estimate for the repair once the plumber has seen the problem. If the quote is a surprise, you can shut off the water, stop the damage and wait for a daytime visit when the problem allows it.
If you rent
If you rent, your lease and your landlord decide who calls the plumber. Tell your landlord or property manager first if you can reach them. If water is causing damage and you can't reach anyone, shut off the water, take photos, and keep a record of who you called and when.
If the job is on a well or septic system
Say so when you call. Not every plumber works on wells, pumps and pressure tanks, or on septic tanks and drain fields, and some of that work is done by specialists. Our guides on well pump not working and septic tank pumping explain what the work involves, so you can ask better questions.
After you hire
- Keep the estimate, the invoice, the permit paperwork and any warranty.
- Take photos of the work before it is covered up, if you can.
- Pay as agreed and get a receipt.
- If something goes wrong, call the company first, then contact the state licensing board or consumer protection office.
When to skip the shopping
Some problems can't wait. If a pipe has burst, water is coming into the house, sewage is backing up, or you smell gas, get help first and compare later. For gas, leave the house and call your gas utility or 911 from outside. For a burst pipe, see burst pipe repair. You can still ask for the license number and a written estimate for the repair itself.
Safety
Don't let anyone work on a gas line or electrical panel who can't show you a license and proof of insurance. Don't pay cash to someone you can't identify. Don't sign anything you haven't read.
Ready to call
The button at the top of this page starts a call, and we'll look for a local plumbing company that serves your area. Tell them what's happening, ask for the license number and a written estimate, and decide whether to book.