Get Quotes from Top Plumbers in Irving, TX
Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Plumber in Irving
Toilet or faucet leaks may seem like small plumbing issues, however, it result in a wastage of up to 90 gallons per day. It is estimated that plumbing leaks can addl more than 10% to residents' water bills for a typical household in Irving. However, hiring a good plumber to fix any plumbing issues quickly can help you save some dollars on your water bills each year. Asking friends and neighbors to refer good plumbers in the city is a good start to finding credible professionals. When searching for a plumber to fix water leaks or upgrade your entire plumbing system, you need to ask the following questions to ensure you are hiring a qualified professional:
- Are You Licensed to Practice as a Plumber in Irving?
- How Much Do You Charge Compared to Plumbers in Irving?
- Do You Comply with the Irving Building Code for Plumbing?
- Will You Get the Plumbing Permits as Required by the Irving Code?
- What Kind of Plumbing Services Do You Offer?
- Do You Offer Emergency Plumbing Services in Irving?
- Do You Carry the Necessary Insurance Policy for Plumbers in Irving?
- How to File a Complaint Against a Bad Plumber in Irving
Are You Licensed to Practice as a Plumber in Irving?
Individuals who wish to operate within Irving are required to obtain a Master Plumbers License from the Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners (TSBPE) and register with the City by utilizing the Contractor`s Registration Form. You should note that it is illegal for an unlicensed plumber to carry out any plumbing job without the appropriate license required under Section 1301.351(1) of the Plumbing License Law. Anybody found in violation of the aforementioned section shall be barred from obtaining a license or undergoing registration required to get one.
To obtain a master plumber license, interested persons are required first to satisfy specific requirements and pass a licensing examination. These requirements include:
- Being a citizen of the United States or an alien or a non-immigrant permitted to gain a license in the State of Texas and must;
- Obtain a high school diploma or a General Equivalency Diploma (GED) and
- Presently hold a Journeyman Plumbers License in Texas or any other state for at least four years or one year after successfully completing a training program validated by the United States Department of Labor Office of Apprenticeship.
You can verify a plumber's license by utilizing the TSBPE find a license tool or by contacting this Board at (512) 936-5200.
How Much Do You Charge Compared to Plumbers in Irving?
The amount of money you might spend hiring a plumber depends on some factors, such as the type of job the plumber is to carry out, the cost of materials needed for the job, and the cost of getting a permit for the job. However, it is advised that you compare cost estimates from different plumbers near you before hiring a plumber.
A plumber in Irving earns an annual average wage of $50,690. Below is a breakdown of the Average hourly wages for plumbers in Irving compared with that of plumbers in the State of Texas and major cities in the country:
Do You Comply with the Irving Building Code for Plumbing?
Besides hiring licensed plumbers, it is also crucial to ensure that any plumber you intend to hire for your plumbing project is familiar with the applicable Plumbing Code. The plumbing code that is currently applicable in Irving is the 2015 International Plumbing Code. The code regulates the installation, repairs, adjustments, maintenance, and upgrades of plumbing systems in Irving. The code also provides minimum requirements for plumbing works within the city to ensure a reasonable amount of safety. Non-compliance with the Plumbing Code is an offense classified as a class 'C' misdemeanor, and this attracts a fine of $500. However, contravention of provisions regulating fire safety, zoning, public health, and sanity will incur fines of up to $2,000.
The importance of hiring a licensed plumber is they are commonly conversant with code requirements. You will avoid a lot of code violations and penalties that may arise from the said violations. If you need further assistance on this matter, contact the Irving Building Inspections Division at (972) 721-2371.
Will You Get the Plumbing Permits as Required by the Irving Code?
Any plumbing work regulated by the Irving Plumbing Code cannot be performed without a duly issued permit. Therefore, you must ensure your plumber has obtained the relevant permits before handling your plumbing project to avoid code violations and relevant penalties. Nonetheless, some specific plumbing projects do not require a permit, and they include:
- Clearing of stoppages or mending of pipes, as well as the removal and reinstallation of water closets, as long as such repairs are done without the removal or replacement of any component of a plumbing system.
- Stopping leaks in drains, pipes, or any part of a plumbing system, provided a concealed component, such as a drainpipe, is not replaced.
The Inspections Department is responsible for receiving plumbing permit applications in Irving. Applications for a plumbing permit must contain a general description of the job to be performed, as well as the location where the plumbing job will be performed. Before the issuance of a plumbing permit, an inspection will be carried out by the Department to assess the premises, equipment, and spaces relevant to the plumbing project. After a successful inspection, you can apply for a plumbing permit online.
For further inquiries on the application process or any other matter, you can contact the Inspection Department at (972) 721-2600 or visit this Department at:
Irving Inspections Department825 West Irving Boulevard
Irving, TX 75060
What Kind of Plumbing Services Do You Offer?
Before hiring a plumber for their services, it is very important to confirm if they have the expertise required to perform your plumbing work or specialize in performing such plumbing work. Plumbers in Irving typically specialize in residential plumbing, commercial plumbing, or repair and service plumbing. While residential plumbers mainly work on residential buildings, commercial plumbers typically handle more complex plumbing jobs, such as factory and industrial plumbing jobs. Repair and service plumbers carry out repair and replacement jobs, and they work on both residential and commercial structures.
Note that the cost of your plumbing work may depend on the plumber's expertise, specialty, and experience. Nevertheless, the average cost of plumbing services in Irving is between $300 - $400. However, this amount does not include the fees necessary for obtaining permits or an inspection fee. The following are the price range of specific plumbing services in Irving:
Do You Offer Emergency Plumbing Services in Irving?
Per the Environmental Protection Agency, the average household leak causes a loss of up to 10,000 gallons of water yearly. Bearing in mind that the average residential home in Irving pays $4 to $5 per 1,000 gallons of metered water, leaving any leaks or plumbing problems in your home unattended can eventually lead to higher water expenses. While all plumbing issues should be resolved as quickly as possible, some problems may require more urgency than others. Plumbing problems that typically require utmost urgency include burst pipes, clogged toilets, and faulty water heaters.
However, you must ensure the plumber you wish to hire is both skilled and experienced to fix the plumbing emergency in your home. You can find licensed plumbers near you by utilizing the online license search tool maintained by the Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners. You can also utilize this search tool to confirm if a plumber is licensed.
Do You Carry the Necessary Insurance Policy for Plumbers in Irving?
Generally, plumbers in Irving are not obligated to have insurance, except for Responsible Master Plumbers, who are required to get commercial liability insurance with a minimum coverage of $300,000. Nevertheless, you should always look to hire plumbers who are insured, considering there were 608 fatal occupational injuries across Texas in 2019 alone.
Obtaining the services of an insured plumber will provide you with needed financial protection in the case of fatal or life-threatening accidents. You should note that plumbers in Irving are not required to maintain workers' compensation coverage. You can verify if your plumber is insured by contacting the organization that issued it.
How to File a Complaint Against a Bad Plumber in Irving
In February 2021, a Dallas County resident reportedly paid $10,000 to a home improvement contractor to renovate her bathroom, but this contractor never returned to complete the renovation. Home improvement scams like this are fairly common among plumbers in Irving City. Other common plumbing scams include:
- Using cheap and substandard materials after billing for standard ones
- Unsolicited bids
- Insisting on being paid in cash
- Coming to your home uninvited to offer plumbing services.
However, you can protect yourself from falling victim to these tactics by taking the following steps:
- Ensure to utilize the TSBPE license search tool to confirm the licensing status of the plumber you wish to hire.
- Be sure to obtain a well-written contract properly outlining the type of project you want to be carried out and the cost of all materials needed. Also, do not fill or sign blank contracts, as terms you are not aware of may be added to them later. Do not let any plumber rush you into signing any contracts.
- To have a better idea of how competent the plumber under your consideration is, you may seek reviews from customers who have solicited their services.
- You can visit the Better Business Bureau website to find businesses or independent plumbers near you who have been reported for defrauding their clients. The website also allows you to get reviews on plumbers in your area.
- Ensure to obtain references from plumbers and cross-examine these references before coming to any agreement.
If you suspect an unscrupulous plumber is trying to defraud you of your money, or you feel you have been a victim of a plumbing scam in Irving, you can file a general complaint to the Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners. You can download and fill out a general complaint form and mail it to:
Texas State Board of Plumbing ExaminersP.O. Box 4200
Austin, TX 78765-4200
You can also contact this Board at (512) 936-5249 for further inquiries.
Alternatively, you can submit an online complaint to the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation to report either unlicensed activity or violations committed by a licensed individual or company. Measures will be taken to address your complaints. These measures usually involve carrying out an investigation or resolving the matter through mediation.
However, these measures may not lead to your compensation. To ensure you are adequately compensated, as a resident of Irving, you can file a small claims suit at the Dallas County Justice of the Peace and Justice Courts. Only cases involving claims not more than $20,000 may be filed at a small claims court. It is advised you consult an attorney for legal assistance and evaluation of your case before going to court.
Table of Contents
- Are You Licensed to Practice as a Plumber in Irving?
- How Much Do You Charge Compared to Plumbers in Irving?
- Do You Comply with the Irving Building Code for Plumbing?
- Will You Get the Plumbing Permits as Required by the Irving Code?
- What Kind of Plumbing Services Do You Offer?
- Do You Offer Emergency Plumbing Services in Irving?
- Do You Carry the Necessary Insurance Policy for Plumbers in Irving?
- How to File a Complaint Against a Bad Plumber in Irving