Get Quotes from Top Plumbers in Memphis, TN

Are You Licensed to Practice as a Plumber in Memphis?

It is important that you hire only licensed plumbers to carry out work on your home. Plumbers in Memphis are licensed at the state level by the Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance (DCI). The Department provides for two licensing categories: the plumbing contractor license and a limited plumber license. A plumbing contractor license is required to bid for and execute jobs with a total cost that exceeds $25,000, while limited plumbing licenses are issued for jobs that cost less than $25,000. Both categories of plumbers will be required to write an exam before licensing.

Plumbing contractor license applicants will also be required to show evidence of at least three years of experience to be eligible for these licenses. Plumbers in Memphis can apply for a plumbing contractor license or a limited license through the DCI's online portal. You can verify that a plumber you intend to hire has been duly licensed by the state through the DCI's verify a license portal.

Note that, aside from obtaining a state license, plumbers in Memphis must also register with the Memphis and Shelby County Office of Construction Code Enforcement before working in the city. These plumbers are required to complete a contractor's registration packet, attach a copy of their valid state-issued license, and submit these documents to the aforementioned office. You can check if a plumber has been duly registered with the Office by calling (901) 222- 8300.

How Much Do You Charge Compared to Plumbers in Memphis?

The cost of plumbing services in Memphis often varies depending on the type of service that is offered. Prices are generally determined by the cost of materials to be used, the complexity of the job, permit costs, and other similar factors. When you want to hire a plumber, it is always a good idea to compare price estimates and quotes with other similar estimates in order to ascertain a fair price for your project and ensure that you are not cheated.

A plumber in Memphis earns an annual average wage of $53,160. Below is a breakdown of the Average hourly wages for plumbers in Nashville compared with plumbers in other parts of Tennessee and other major cities in the country:

Do You Comply with the Memphis Building Code for Plumbing?

Plumbing work in Memphis is expected to be carried out in compliance with the provisions of the Memphis and Shelby County Plumbing Code, which is a domesticated and locally modified version of the 2015 International Plumbing Code. This code governs the different plumbing activities within the city, ranging from the specifications for materials to be used to inspections and licensing, permitting, and other related plumbing issues.

It is important that you hire a plumber who is familiar with the city's plumbing code so that repairs on your home do not violate any of the provisions of the code. A good way to make sure that your chosen plumber is familiar with the plumbing code is to hire licensed and properly registered plumbers. You can contact the city's Administrator of Code Enforcement at (901) 222-8351 for more information regarding the Memphis and Shelby County Plumbing Code.

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

In compliance with the Memphis and Shelby County Plumbing Code, permits are required before any plumbing work can be done within the city. However, if the plumbing issue you have is an emergency, then it can be carried out without a permit, provided that a permit application is duly submitted on the next working business day to the Memphis Department of Plumbing for inspection of the work done.

Plumbing permits are issued by the Memphis and Shelby County Division of Planning and Development. Permits can only be obtained by licensed plumbers or by a homeowner intending to carry out plumbing work on a personal residence. Note that after these permits have been issued, inspections are usually carried out to ensure compliance with the city's plumbing code. Permits can be obtained online via the city's Develop 901 Citizen Portal.

You can contact the Division of Planning and Development at (901) 636-6619 to direct any permit and inspection-related inquiries that you might have. These queries can also be directed to the Memphis and Shelby Division of Planning and Development in person at:

What Kind of Plumbing Services Do You Offer?

Plumbers in Memphis offer different types of services. These include cleaning drain traps, piping sewer drains, unclogging toilets and sink drains, fixing and maintenance of faucets and other plumbing fixtures, sewer lines services, water heater replacement or repair, and toilet plumbing. When you want to hire a plumber, you should make sure that the selected individual has the capacity to handle the challenge that you have. You should also make sure that the license of the plumber is one that duly authorizes that individual to carry out the repairs you require.

Take note that huge projects that cost over $25,000 must be executed by a plumbing contractor with a valid license from the state, and you should take care not to hire a limited licensed plumber for such jobs. Aside from the danger that you might end up with shoddy plumbing work, the plumber might also be unable to secure the necessary permits to carry out your job.

The estimated cost of the different plumbing services in Memphis is listed below:

Do You Offer Emergency Plumbing Services in Memphis?

Most plumbing cases can be considered to be emergencies because they often require immediate attention. It is estimated that a slow dripping leaky faucet can result in over 15 gallons of water wasted in a day. Water in Memphis for residential buildings is charged at $2.281 per 100 cubic feet, so if you fail to attend to your leaks in time, you might be faced with a substantially higher bill at the end of the month. When you have a plumbing emergency, you should not be in haste to employ just any plumber without carrying out proper due diligence.

It is also important to ensure that the plumber you intend to hire has the capacity to handle your emergency immediately and in one go. Getting a plumber who can attend to you in an emergency also means that the plumber you choose has to be familiar with your location. You can find licensed plumbers in Memphis that fit these criteria by using third-party sites like Yelp or the Better Business Bureau.

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

The U.S. Bureau of Labour Statistics reported that there was an increase of 11% in workplace injuries caused by falls, slips, and trips in 2019. Hiring a plumber who has insurance is necessary so that you do not end up liable for any unforeseen accidents that might happen while work is being done on your home or property. These liabilities may include finding yourself saddled with hefty medical bills or even having to pay more money for repairs if the plumber is injured or damages your property while working without insurance coverage. You can confirm that your intended Memphis plumber is duly licensed by asking for a copy of the plumber's insurance certificate and verifying its validity with the plumber's insurance provider.

Note that, in compliance with the Memphis and Shelby County Plumbing Code, all registered plumbing contractors in Memphis are required to possess a permit bond of not less than $25,000. This bond is to be filed with the city's Division of Planning and Development, and you can verify that your intended plumber has complied with this requirement by calling the Division at (901) 636-6619.