Get Quotes from Top Plumbers in San Antonio, TX

Are You Licensed to Practice as a Plumber in San Antonio?

Before engaging a plumber within San Antonio, confirm that such an individual or business holds the requisite license to operate in the city. Generally, plumbing works can be performed only by master plumbers or by other licensed plumbers under their supervision. Licensing is carried out at the state level. However, a master plumber license requires registration with the San Antonio Development Service Department (DSD). Working without satisfying the requirements above can attract fines of up to $500 per day of violation, including other penalties specified by the city's Building Code.

At the state level, the Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners (TSBPE) is the body responsible for licensing plumbers across San Antonio. A plumber can either hold a tradesman license, journeyman license, master plumber license or be registered as an apprentice plumber. To obtain a journeyman plumber license, the individual must have at least 8,000 hours of experience working under the supervision of a master plumber and must pass an exam administered by the Board.

To qualify for a master plumber license, the applicant must have held a journeyman plumber license in Texas or another state for at least four years. This requirement is reduced to one year if the applicant participates in a training program approved by the Office of Apprenticeship of the US Department of Labor. This existing license and experience requirement is in addition to passing the license exam. Meanwhile, a tradesman plumber license requires an applicant to have at least 4,000 hours of experience working as a registered apprentice under the supervision of a master plumber. Finally, applicants for the apprentice plumber registration must be 16 years of age or older and working under the supervision of a licensed plumber.

Residents can verify state-level licenses and registrations online by using the TSBPE Find a License portal. Similarly, you can look up city-level Masters Plumbers registration on the city's Contractors Connect Portal.

How Much Do You Charge Compared to Plumbers in San Antonio?

The cost of hiring a plumber in San Antonio generally depends on several factors, including the labor required, the scope of the work, materials needed, permit costs, and the reputation of the plumber or plumbing company.

Therefore, before choosing a plumber, it's a good idea to collect quotes from at least three plumbers in your area. This allows you to compare prices and choose the most affordable plumber.

A plumber in San Antonio earns an annual average wage of $44,700. Below is a breakdown of the average hourly wages for plumbers in San Antonio compared with plumbers in other parts of Texas and other major cities in the country:

Do You Comply with the San Antonio Building Code for Plumbing?

The San Antonio Plumbing Code specifies minimum standard requirements and procedures for plumbing repairs, installations, and inspections in the city. It includes rules and regulations on how plumbing systems and fixtures are handled. Such plumbing systems and fixtures include water heaters, backflow prevention, water pipe sizing, and drainage systems. The purpose of the Code is to ensure that structures are built with safe and standard plumbing systems to prevent avoidable accidents. For example, the plumbing code addresses ventilation. Every plumbing-related pipe in your home needs to be vented. Without ventilation, toxic gasses can seep into a building, which can negatively affect the health of residents.

Therefore, it is essential to ensure that your plumber of choice is familiar with the city's Plumbing Code. Apart from keeping you from getting into trouble with your local government and neighbors, meeting the Code's requirements indicates that your plumbing work is done properly and without potential risks to you and other residents. If you encounter any difficulty understanding the technical requirements of the Plumbing Code, you can contact the San Antonio Development Service Department (DSD) at (210) 207-1111 for more clarification.

Will You Get the Plumbing Permits as Required by the San Antonio Code?

Most plumbing works in San Antonio require permits before they can be performed. The permits can be obtained either by a master plumber or homeowners performing plumbing work in their residences. However, works that involve stopping leaks, clearing stoppages, and reinstalling water closets are exempt from permit application; so far, it does not include the replacement of materials.

The City's Development Services Department is responsible for issuing plumbing permits. The permit can either be commercial or residential, depending on the premises where the plumbing work will be performed. To obtain a permit, you are first to verify your zoning district and what kind of projects are allowed in the district. If you have a question about your zoning designation, contact the Development Services Department by calling (210) 207-1111. After confirming your zone, you can then proceed to complete the Plumbing Permit Application and submit it to the Development Service Department at

The office opens between 7:45 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Mondays through Fridays, except for city holidays. You can ascertain whether your plumber has applied for the relevant permits, as well as the status of the application, by using the city's Permit Search online portal.

In addition to the permit application, homeowners applying for permits by themselves will also have to complete and submit the Plumbing Homeowner Affidavit. Likewise, depending on the scope of your project, you may also require submission and review of your building plan to obtain permits. You can contact the Development Service Department to determine whether your project requires a plan review. Most plumbing permits not requiring plan review can be issued on the day of application. An issued building permit will expire after 180 days if no proof of construction or work progress has been shown. However, you can still make a permit extension request.

Also, note that Building inspections are performed at each stage in the plumbing process to ensure that the project is in line with the relevant city codes. You can schedule inspections online by calling (210) 207-1111 or through an inspection scheduler. The call option attracts a $3.00 scheduling fee per inspection.

What Kind of Plumbing Services Do You Offer?

Not all plumbers can do every kind of plumbing work. There are different kinds of plumbing services, and some plumbers may only specialize in one aspect, which can be residential, commercial, and repair plumbing, amongst others. On the one hand, residential plumbers majorly focus on repairs, installations, and other plumbing work in residential buildings. On the other hand, commercial plumbers perform plumbing work at industrial facilities like factories. In contrast, service and repair plumbers generally maintain plumbing systems in commercial and residential buildings and structures. As such, always ensure you hire a plumber skilled in the project you're embarking on.

On average, residential plumbing services generally cost between $64 and $73 per hour, while commercial plumbing services cost between $84 and $91. Nonetheless, below are labor cost estimates for some plumbing works in San Antonio.

Do You Offer Emergency Plumbing Services in San Antonio?

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, the average household's leaks account for more than 10,000 gallons of water wasted every year. Meanwhile, residents of San Antonio pay at least $62.27 per 10,000 gallons of metered water usage. Considering this water rate, it is critical to immediately address any plumbing problem that may cause leakages or water wastage in your home. While several plumbing issues can cause leakages in your home, some require more urgency than others, considering that they waste water much faster. Examples of such emergencies are burst pipes, failed sump pumps, water shut-off valve failure, and overflowing toilets. When such situations arise, do not rush into repairs and hire just any plumber.

Ensure that any plumber you hire is licensed and skilled enough to fix the issue immediately. You can find qualified plumbers in the city by using the Contractors Connect Portal. However, also confirm that your plumber of interest can reach you within a reasonable time. Review sites like Yelp and Better Business Bureau are particularly helpful in finding plumbers near you.

Finally, though emergency repairs are exempt from permit application, an application must be made within the next business day.

Do You Carry the Necessary Insurance Policy for Plumbers in San Antonio?

According to statistics provided by the Texas Department of Insurance, in 2019, there were 608 fatal occupational injuries in Texas, and the construction industry accounted for 22% of all incidents. However, hiring an insured plumber protects you from expenses that may arise from such accidents that may occur during your project.

Also, San Antonio plumbers are statutorily required to have valid insurance covering general liability and claims for property damage or bodily injury. The coverage must not be less than $300,000 for claims arising within a year. You can verify that a plumber's insurance policy is valid by requesting that the plumber provide a certificate of insurance and contacting the plumber's insurance company.