Hiring a Plumber: What to Look For and Red Flags to Avoid

How to find a great plumber—and how to spot the ones you should run from.

I'm Justin Sims, and I'm going to give you some insider advice on hiring a plumber. Yes, I'm a plumber, so I have a horse in this race. But I also know this industry inside and out, and I've seen too many homeowners get burned by unqualified, dishonest, or just plain bad plumbers.

Here's what you should look for—and what should send you running the other direction.

What to Look For

1. Proper Licensing

In Texas, plumbers must be licensed by the Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners. There are different license levels:

• **Tradesman Plumber:** Entry-level, can work under supervision
• **Journeyman Plumber:** Can work independently on residential
• **Master Plumber:** Highest level, can supervise others and pull permits

**What to do:** Ask for their license number and verify it at [TSBPE's website](https://vo.licensing.tdlr.texas.gov/). A legitimate plumber won't hesitate to provide this.

**Red flag:** "Oh, I don't need a license for this job" or "My license is being renewed." If they can't produce a valid license number, walk away.

2. Insurance Coverage

A plumber should carry:

• **General Liability Insurance:** Covers damage to your property during work
• **Workers' Compensation:** Covers injuries to workers on your property

**Why it matters:** If an uninsured plumber damages your home or gets injured on site, YOU could be liable.

**What to do:** Ask for a certificate of insurance. Call the insurance company to verify it's current if you want to be thorough.

**Red flag:** "I don't need insurance, I'm careful" or "I'm covered under the company I used to work for." No current insurance = major risk.

3. Experience and Specialization

Plumbing covers a lot of ground: water heaters, sewer lines, repiping, fixtures, gas lines, and more. Some plumbers specialize; others are generalists.

**What to do:** Ask how long they've been in business and about their experience with YOUR specific issue. A tankless water heater installation requires different expertise than a sewer line repair.

**Better:** Ask for references from jobs similar to yours.

4. Transparent Pricing

You should understand what you're paying for before work begins.

Good practices:

• Free or clearly priced diagnostics
• Written estimates before work starts
• Flat-rate pricing (you know the total upfront)
• Explanation of what's included

**Red flag:** "I'll figure it out as I go" or extreme reluctance to discuss price. Also watch for bait-and-switch: super low initial quote that balloons once work begins.

5. Warranty on Work

A quality plumber stands behind their work.

Look for:

• Written warranty on labor (at least 1 year)
• Manufacturer warranty on parts
• Clear policy on call-backs if issues arise

**What to do:** Get the warranty in writing. A verbal "I'll take care of it" means nothing.

6. Professional Appearance and Communication

This isn't about snobbery—it's about signals.

Good signs:

• Clean, marked vehicles
• Uniformed technicians
• Prompt communication
• Show up on time or call if delayed
• Treat your home with respect (shoe covers, drop cloths, clean up)

**What it indicates:** A plumber who invests in professionalism likely invests in quality work, training, and customer service.

7. Reviews and Reputation

In the age of the internet, there's no excuse for not researching.

Check:

• Google reviews (quantity and quality)
• Yelp, Angi, or HomeAdvisor ratings
• BBB rating and complaints
• Nextdoor recommendations

**What to look for:** Consistent positive feedback, professional responses to any negative reviews, patterns in what customers praise.

**Red flag:** Mostly negative reviews, or suspiciously perfect reviews that all sound the same.

8. Clear Explanation of the Problem

A good plumber explains what's wrong in terms you can understand. They show you the issue when possible and discuss options.

What to expect:

• Diagnosis explained clearly
• Multiple options if applicable (repair vs. replace)
• Honest assessment of urgency
• No pressure tactics

9. Permits When Required

Major plumbing work (water heater replacement, repiping, gas line work) typically requires permits.

Why permits matter:

• Ensures work is inspected and up to code
• Protects you legally and for insurance purposes
• Required if you sell your home

**Red flag:** "We don't need to pull a permit—it'll save you money." This is often code for cutting corners.

Red Flags to Avoid

1. Pressure to Decide Immediately

"This deal is only good today" or "If you don't act now, it'll cost twice as much next week." High-pressure tactics are a classic sign of a scam.

**Reality:** Legitimate emergencies aside, most plumbing issues give you time to get a second opinion.

2. Demands Cash Payment Only

Cash-only often means they're avoiding taxes, working without a license, or planning to disappear if something goes wrong.

**Exception:** Some small discounts for cash are fine, but refusing cards entirely is suspicious.

3. No Written Estimate or Contract

If they won't put it in writing, there's no accountability.

**What you need:** A clear document stating the scope of work, price, timeline, and warranty.

4. Way-Too-Low Bids

If one bid is dramatically lower than others, be suspicious.

Possible reasons:

• They're inexperienced and don't know what's involved
• They plan to cut corners on materials or code
• They'll find "surprises" once work begins (bait and switch)
• They're not licensed/insured and have lower overhead for bad reasons

5. Pushing Unnecessary Work

"While I'm here, I should mention your entire system needs to be replaced." Some plumbers look for ways to upsell.

**How to protect yourself:** Get a second opinion on any major recommended work. A trustworthy plumber will encourage this.

6. Door-to-Door Solicitation

"We're working in your neighborhood and noticed your [water heater/pipes/etc] might be a problem."

Legitimate plumbers don't canvas neighborhoods looking for work. This is often a prelude to a scam.

7. No Physical Address

A PO Box or "we'll come to you" with no verifiable shop location is risky. If something goes wrong, you can't find them.

8. They Won't Provide References

A plumber with happy customers is glad to connect you with them. Reluctance suggests there aren't any.

Questions to Ask Before Hiring

1. Are you licensed? What's your license number?
2. Do you carry liability insurance and workers' comp?