Get Quotes from Top Plumbers in Houston, TX

Are You Licensed to Practice as a Plumber in Houston?

Per Section 104.1 of the Houston Plumbing Code, an individual must hold a state master plumber license to run a plumbing business within the city. Furthermore, persons engaging in actual plumbing jobs are required to obtain a master or journeyman plumbing license or register as a plumbing apprentice. Failure to meet the applicable licensing requirements constitutes a misdemeanor, which is punishable by a fine between $500 and $2,000 under section 102.5 of the Code. In addition to obtaining a plumbing license, all master license holders are also required to register with the Houston Permitting Center annually.

The Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners (TSBPE) is responsible for regulating plumbers and issuing plumbing licenses to eligible individuals in Houston. In order to be eligible for licensing as a journeyman plumber, an applicant must have been registered as a tradesman plumber or apprentice in Texas or a journeyman or master plumber in another state. The applicant must also have at least 8,000 hours of experience working under the supervision of a master plumber and pass a licensing exam administered by the TSBPE.

Similarly, applicants for a master plumber license must have an existing journeyman plumber license in Texas or a master plumber license in another state and pass a licensing exam administered by the TSBPE. The minimum years of experience for obtaining a master plumber license depends on where and how this experience was obtained. For example, a master plumber applicant must have held a journeyman license in Texas or another state for at least four years. However, the requirement is reduced to a year if the applicant has successfully completed a training program approved by the United States Department of Labor Office of Apprenticeship. Finally, to register as an apprentice plumber, the individual must be at least 16 years of age and under the supervision of a licensed plumber.

You can confirm your plumber's licensing status through the TSBPE find a license portal. Likewise, a city-level master plumber registration can be verified by contacting the Houston Permitting Center at (832) 394-9000.

How Much Do You Charge Compared to Plumbers in Houston?

Before choosing a plumber to work with, getting cost estimates for your project from at least two other plumbers is essential. This way, you have a better idea of what your project involves and comparable alternatives to consider. Nonetheless, cost estimates will usually be dependent on various factors, including permits and material costs, the type of project, and the labor required.

A plumber in Houston earns an annual average wage of $55,560. Below is a breakdown of the average hourly wages for plumbers in Houston compared with plumbers in other parts of Texas and other major cities in the country:

Do You Comply with the Houston Building Code for Plumbing?

In addition to looking out for a licensed plumber near you, you should also be sure that any plumber you are hiring is familiar with the City's plumbing code. This is particularly essential, considering that non-adherence to the plumbing code during your projects might lead to penalties like fines or a notice to stop the work. Penalties for Code violations are generally enforced by the Houston Permitting Center.

The Houston Plumbing Code establishes minimum standards for all plumbing-related works within the city to protect the life and safety of city residents. It encompasses various plumbing aspects, including fixtures and fittings, water heater installation, water supply and distribution, and drain laying. While licensed plumbers are typically familiar with the city's plumbing code, confirming this when you hire a plumber is always a good idea. You can also contact the city's Building Code Enforcement Division to get more information on Houston Plumbing Code violations by calling (832) 394-9494 or visiting:

Will You Get the Plumbing Permits as Required by the Houston Code?

Permits are generally required for different plumbing works in Houston, including installing storm and sanitary sewers, plumbing fixtures, and appliances for drainage, gas, water, and sewer lines. However, Section 103.1.1 of the Houston Plumbing Code exempts some plumbing works from permitting requirements. These plumbing works include stopping leaks and clearing blockages without rearranging valves, pipes, and fixtures or replacing damaged materials. Failure to procure the requisite permits may result in fines and other penalties. Also, note that works exempt from permits are still subject to minimum standards provided by the Code.

The Houston Permitting Center is responsible for issuing plumbing permits within the City, and this Center issues several types of plumbing permits depending on the particular type of plumbing project. For example, the Center issues permits for plumbing fittings, ground-in plumbing, outside area drains, and gas, wall heaters, and sewer connections. These permits can be obtained simultaneously if a project requires a combination of the mentioned works. However, note that these plumbing permits are typically only issued to licensed and registered master plumbers.

Plumbing permit applications can be made either online or by fax. To apply for a permit online, an applicant must log in or register an account with the City's iPermit portal, fill out the online plumbing permit application, pay the required application fees, and print the permit. On the other hand, applicants who prefer to apply for a permit via fax are to fill out a CE-1020 Plumbing Building Permit Application and fax it to (832) 395-9601. Note that some types of projects may require electronic submission, review, and approval of plans. To confirm whether your project requires a plan approval, contact the Plumbing Section of the Permitting Center by calling (832) 394-8870 or make your inquiries by email. You can also verify whether your plumber has obtained the required permits for your project by utilizing the Houston Online Sold Permit Search portal.

Additionally, the Plumbing Code mandates inspection of plumbing works by building officials, and a certificate of occupancy cannot be issued unless the work passes its final inspection. You can schedule an inspection online by utilizing the scheduling website provided by the City's Department of Public Works and Engineering. You can also schedule inspections by calling (713) 222-9922. Queries concerning the plumbing permitting and inspection process can be directed to the Houston Permitting Center by calling (832) 394-9000. Also, in-person inquiries can be made from Monday through Friday between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. at:

What Kind of Plumbing Services Do You Offer?

Plumbers in Houston perform a variety of plumbing works, including leak detection and repair, drain cleaning services, installations and replacements, and inspection and maintenance of plumbing systems. However, always confirm that the plumber you hire is skilled to perform your plumbing work and holds a license that authorizes them to perform such work, considering some licenses may have certain restrictions. For example, apprentice plumbers can only assist with plumbing installations under the direct supervision of a master plumber. If a master plumber is not present, an apprentice may only perform manual tasks such as digging trenches.

Similarly, some plumbers specialize in handling commercial plumbing works, while others focus on undertaking residential plumbing works. Therefore, ensuring that your plumber is experienced in the plumbing area relevant to your project is crucial.

Although costs for plumbing works typically vary, here are cost estimates of common plumbing services in Houston City:

Do You Offer Emergency Plumbing Services in Houston?

Several plumbing issues, such as clogged toilets, faucet malfunctions, and basement flooding, usually require immediate repairs. Nonetheless, less serious faults such as leaking toilets should not be ignored, considering a leaking toilet alone can waste up to 200 gallons per day, potentially costing a resident up to $130 per month. However, note that despite the need for an emergency plumbing service, it is not always a good idea to rush repairs or hire just any plumber for the work. You should still confirm whether the plumber is licensed and skilled enough to do the job and how long the plumber will take to reach you.

To confirm whether a plumber is licensed, you can use the TSBPE find a license portal. Also, you can utilize sites like Yelp and Better Business Bureau to find qualified plumbers that offer emergency services near you. Opting for a plumber near you ensures that your plumber of choice does not spend too much time finding you when the plumbing emergency gets worse.

Do You Carry the Necessary Insurance Policy for Plumbers in Houston?

According to figures published by the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were 608 fatal occupational injuries in Texas in 2019, and 193 of these injuries involved persons working in the construction industry. Hiring an insured plumber ensures you are substantially protected from costs arising from such occupational accidents during your project. Therefore, you should always confirm that your plumber of interest has an active insurance policy.

According to Section 104.1 of the Houston Plumbing Code, master plumbers cannot offer services within the city's jurisdiction without furnishing the Permitting Center with proof of insurance as required under state law. The Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners requires all master plumbers to provide a current certificate of insurance. This certificate of insurance is proof that a plumber carries the required general liability insurance for property damage or bodily injury claims, with coverage of at least $300,000 in one year. In addition, plumbers must also maintain other insurance requirements relevant to their area of specialization. For example, liquefied petroleum gas plumbing or medical plumbing could carry different insurance requirements.

However, note that these insurance requirements generally apply to master plumbers. Obtaining insurance coverage is optional for journeymen and apprentice plumbers since they must always work under the supervision of a master plumber. You can verify that a master plumber is properly insured by searching the plumber's license on the TSBPE's license search portal.