Homeowner Plumbing Questions
Questions Worth Asking Before You Authorize Plumbing Work
What to ask about licensing, insurance, written estimates, permits, and warranties before work begins.
Ask before the work, not after
Most disputes about plumbing work trace back to something that was never discussed up front: what the price included, whether a permit was needed, or what the warranty actually covers. Asking a handful of questions before authorizing work takes a few minutes and is entirely normal — a good plumber will answer them without hesitation.
Credentials and coverage
- Are you licensed for this type of work in this jurisdiction, and what is the license number?
- Do you carry liability insurance and workers' compensation?
- Will the person doing the work be your employee or a subcontractor?
Scope and price
- Can I have the estimate in writing before work starts?
- Is there a diagnostic or trip fee, and is it credited toward the repair?
- What happens to the price if you find something unexpected once things are open?
- Is this priced by the hour or as a flat rate for the job?
Permits, warranty, and afterwards
- Does this work require a permit or inspection, and who arranges it?
- What warranty covers the labor, and what covers the parts?
- Will you leave documentation of what was done and what parts were used?
- If this is a repair to an aging system, what's your view on repair versus replacement?
General educational information. Plumbing codes and licensing requirements vary by state and locality.