Get Quotes from Top Plumbers in Fort Worth, TX

Are You Licensed to Practice as a Plumber in Fort Worth?

In Fort Worth, professionals, home improvement workers, or contractors who intend to perform plumbing repair, maintenance, or installation must first obtain a plumber license from the Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners. The Board of Plumbing Examiners issues four categories of plumber licenses, and they include the Tradesman plumber-limited plumber license, the Journeyman plumber license, the master plumber license, and the plumbing inspector license. Aspiring plumbers can obtain any of the aforementioned licenses by meeting the requirements for that particular license type, which often includes, but are not limited to, showing proof of working experience, passing a state-accredited plumber examination, and payment of appropriate license fees.

Note that the minimum hours of experience vary depending on the type of plumber license you want to obtain. For example, you must have at least 4000 hours of working experience in the plumbing trade to be eligible for a Tradesman plumber-limited plumber license, while you need at least 8000 hours of working experience in the plumbing trade to obtain a Journeyman plumber license. Applicants can contact the Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners at (512) 936-5200 for other plumbing license requirements.

In addition to a plumber license, the Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners also issues plumbing specialty certificates, such as endorsement certificates and registration certificates, to plumbers who intend to specialize in a particular plumbing area. The plumbing endorsement certificate types issued by the Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners include the Medical gas piping installation endorsement certificate, the Multipurpose residential fire protection sprinkler specialist endorsement certificate, and the Water supply protection specialist endorsement certificate. Similarly, the plumbing registration certificate types issued by the Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners include the Drain cleaner registration certificate, the Drain cleaner restricted registration certificate, and the Residential utility installer registration certificate.

Before hiring a plumber in Fort Worth, you should always find out if the individual is licensed, endorsed, or registered to do the work. This will protect both you and the plumber from sanctions and statutory penalties that are due to code violations. Engaging in plumbing work requiring a license, registration, or endorsement without a current license, endorsement, or registration certificate issued by the Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners is prohibited across Texas, including Fort Worth.

You can ensure that the plumber you intend to hire is licensed, endorsed, or registered by utilizing the Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners licensee search tool. You can also call the Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners at (512) 936-5200 to ask questions about a plumber or the processes and requirements for obtaining a particular plumber license or plumbing certification.

Having obtained a plumbing license from the Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners, plumbing contractors in Fort Worth are additionally required to register with the city's Development Services Department. To register with the Department, plumbing contractors must have a valid State of Texas Master plumber license or Texas Board of Irrigator license. You can confirm if your plumber is registered with the Department by calling 817 (392)-2222.

How Much Do You Charge Compared to Plumbers in Fort Worth?

The hourly cost of performing plumbing repairs and installation can vary among plumbers in Fort Worth. However, it is very important to have a general idea about your plumbing work, including the average cost of completing such work. You can find out the average cost of plumbing work by comparing multiple estimates from different plumbers. This will also provide you with relevant information on what to expect from any plumber you eventually hire.

A plumber in Fort Worth earns an annual average wage of $58,020. Listed below is a breakdown of the average hourly wages for plumbers in Fort Worth compared with plumbers in other parts of Texas and other major cities in the country:

Do You Comply with the Fort Worth Building Code for Plumbing?

All plumbing installations, repairs, maintenance, and alterations are regulated by Fort Worth through the adoption of the 2015 International Plumbing Code. The Code establishes the minimum plumbing standard required to guarantee the safety of plumbing systems in Fort Worth. Before hiring a plumber in Fort Worth, it is important to find out whether the individual is familiar with the Plumbing Code. This gives you the much-needed protection against penalties and administrative fines that may result from Code violations. All queries concerning plumbing permits can be directed to the city's Building Official by calling (817) 392-8030.

Will You Get the Plumbing Permits as Required by the Fort Worth Code?

Anyone who intends to construct, install, alter, or repair a plumbing system in Fort Worth must first apply for and obtain the required permit for the plumbing work. Some plumbing work requiring permits includes installation, replacement, alteration, and repair of sprinkler systems, water heaters, shower pans, and septic tanks.

However, section 105.2 of the city's Building Code exempts some plumbing work from permits. These plumbing works include but are not limited to clearing of stoppage in drains, stopping of leaks, replacement of plumbing fixtures, water closets, and removal of exposed traps. While it is not every plumbing work that requires a permit, it is crucial to find out if a permit is needed for the type of plumbing work you want to carry out.

Note that starting plumbing work requiring a permit without first obtaining a permit can result in a cease and desist order issued by the city's Building Official. The Development Services Department is responsible for issuing permits for plumbing works done in Fort Worth, and as a resident of the city, you should always ensure that your plumber obtains the necessary permits before starting your plumbing work.

In Fort Worth, permit applications must be made by a registered contractor or property owners who own, occupy, and intend to work on the same building for which a plumbing permit application is submitted. You can apply for a plumbing permit from the city's Development Services Department online. However, you need to create a user profile to be able to use this service. You can also apply for a plumbing permit by downloading, completing, and submitting a permit application form at:

To obtain a plumbing permit in Fort Worth, you will be required to submit plumbing plans sealed by an engineer or architect, a letter detailing the use of the building, and a map showing the location and boundaries of street rights of way, individual lots, or parcels, and other site information. Once the requirements for obtaining a permit have been met and the permit fees are paid, the Development Services Department will issue permits to you. All queries concerning the plumbing permit process and requirements can be directed to the Department by calling (817) 392-2222.

Besides the issuance of permits for plumbing work, the Fort Worth Development Services Department also performs inspections on plumbing work for which a permit has been issued. This is to ensure that plumbing work meets the minimum construction standards in the city. Common plumbing-related inspections in Fort Worth include underground inspections, rough-in inspections, and final inspections. You can schedule an inspection by calling the Development Services Department's voice permit line at (817) 392 6370. To schedule an inspection, you will be required to provide your permit number and construction site address.

What Kind of Plumbing Services Do You Offer?

Fort Worth plumbers generally provide all kinds of residential and commercial plumbing services, which include, but are not limited to, bathtub and toilet installation, installation of industrial gas pipes, water heater installation, fixing of leaks, and cleaning clogged drains. However, before hiring a plumber near you, it is always a good idea to confirm if they are eligible and experienced enough to provide the services you need. You can find out if the individual is eligible to do the work by requesting proof of licensure, endorsement, or registration.

Do not hire a plumber unless you have seen proof of current plumbing license, endorsement, or registration. Similarly, you can confirm if the individual is experienced enough by asking about their years of practice. You can also ask the plumber to provide references from past clients with similar plumbing needs.

Listed below are some of the cost estimates for plumbing services in Fort Worth:

Do You Offer Emergency Plumbing Services in Fort Worth?

A plumbing emergency generally refers to any plumbing issue that requires urgent and immediate attention, and Fort Worth plumbers offer a variety of such emergency services. Such services include but are not limited to clearing clogged toilets, fixing burst pipes, and repairing all kinds of leaks. It is estimated that water leak wastes almost one trillion gallons of water in the United States annually and consequently leads to unnecessary sewer and water charges in each of the affected households. As such, ensuring that your plumbing emergencies are handled immediately will protect you from high water bills.

While you are concerned about hiring a plumber to fix your plumbing emergency immediately, it is always good to confirm that the individual you intend to hire is competent and qualified to do the job. You can find the right plumber near you by exploring third-party websites like Better Business Bureau, Google Review, and Yelp. These websites provide relevant information about plumbers near you, including their location and contact details, as well as customer reviews, which can help you access the plumber's expertise and professionalism.

However, it is still crucial to confirm if the plumber you intend to hire from any of the aforementioned third-party websites is licensed before signing an agreement. You can confirm your plumber's license status by utilizing the Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners licensee search tool.

Do You Carry the Necessary Insurance Policy for Plumbers in Fort Worth?

In Fort Worth, contractors are required to maintain general liability and automobile liability before providing their services within the city, and contractors working on a public project must maintain workers' compensation insurance. Note that you can not obtain a construction work permit as a contractor in Fort Worth without maintaining the aforementioned insurance policies with an insurance company approved to do business in Texas.

However, exceptions to the insurance requirements may be permitted by the city's Risk Management Department when the risk exposure involved in the construction work is not significant. Regardless of the construction work you want to perform, it is always crucial to ensure that your contractor is insured. This gives you much-needed financial protection from claims that may result from work accidents during your plumbing work. Residents of Fort Worth must understand that this financial protection is necessary, considering the construction industry accounted for 123 cases of fatal work injuries across Texas in 2019. You can confirm if your plumber maintains an insurance policy by requesting a certificate of insurance and confirming from the insurance company that issued the certificate.