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Are You Licensed to Practice as a Plumber in Nashville?

Plumbing within Nashville must either be carried out or supervised by licensed plumbers. Where the plumbing project costs less than $25000, including the cost of materials and labor, the law requires that such a project must be carried out only by individuals who are licensed by the Nashville City Mechanical, Plumbing, and Electrical Examiners and Appeals Board. In cases where the value of the plumbing project exceeds $25000, the plumber hired must be licensed by the Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors. This requirement will also extend to subcontractors if the aspect of work to be handled by that sub-contractor exceeds $25000.

To be licensed by the State of Tennessee, the plumbing contractor will be required to complete an application and pay the sum of $250 as the applicable license fee. Failure to meet this requirement can result in a daily fine of $10 on any plumber, with the possibility of civil liability in court. Applications for state-issued licenses may be submitted online using the CORE platform provided by the Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance.

Similarly, local-level plumbing licenses are issued to individuals who are at least 18 years old and have obtained at least four years of trade experience in plumbing. Eligible persons are required to make an application by completing and submitting a Nashville Metropolitan Plumbing Contractor Application for Registration. Completed forms should be accompanied by a non-refundable fee, and a licensing examination would be taken. Note that certain steps in the licensing process may be waived for plumbers who have been licensed in Tennessee. Interested parties can contact the Nashville City Code Administration Department at (615) 862-6590 to get more information on this process.

You can verify the locally issued licenses of plumbers in Nashville by contacting its Department of Codes and Building Safety at (615) 862-6500. Likewise, you can find out if your plumber possesses a valid state-issued license online through the Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance's License Search and Verification Portal or by calling the customer service center of this department at (615) 741-2241.

How Much Do You Charge Compared to Plumbers in Nashville?

The best way to ensure that you hire a good plumber and also avoid overpaying in Nashville is to compare multiple cost estimates, usually from two or three plumbers. Typically, costs are dependent on the nature of the work required of the plumber, the quantity and quality of materials needed for the improvement, and the cost of obtaining permits for the project. Considering all these will help you compare prices and decide on a plumber that is within your budget.

A plumber in Nashville earns an annual average wage of $56,570. 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 Nashville Building Code for Plumbing?

Hiring the services of a licensed plumber in Nashville can help you against flouting any of the provisions of the building codes in the city. The work of plumbers in Nashville is guided by the Nashville and Davidson County Building Code. Licensed plumbers and contractors are expected to follow the city's building codes when carrying out any project, The Nashville City building codes, also known as the Metro building codes, is the rule that guides the safety of buildings within the city.

The code covers the construction, design, installation, alteration, relocation, repair, replacement, and maintenance of public systems as well as the quality of materials used for these projects. Projects may include reclaimed water piping, subsurface drainage piping, rainwater piping, graywater piping systems, fire sprinklers, residential plumbing systems, underground fire protection piping, and swimming pool piping. You can contact the Nashville Department of Codes and Building Safety at (615) 852-6500 for clarification on the city's plumbing code and its requirements.

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

Under the Nashville and Davidson County Building Code, a plumbing permit is required for any plumbing work that may take place within the Nashville Metropolitan Area. However, per this code, plumbing projects that would involve the installation of a storm drainage system can be carried out without a permit.

In Nashville City, plumbing permits are issued by the Nashville Department of Codes and Building Safety. A number of factors might affect the length of time for the permit to be granted. Some of these factors include the nature of the project and the administrative workload of the department. For instance, obtaining a permit for a minor project that does not require a plan, like fixture replacements, may be relatively easy, while it may take weeks to review plans for major or complex projects before issuing the required permits.

In order to obtain a plumbing permit in Nashville, the property must be located within the city limits. You can use the Parcel Viewer online tool the Nashville City Department of Planning provides. Permit applications can be made through the Nashville E-permit System, and they should be accompanied by the necessary project designs and plans. Note that only licensed plumbers or contractors can access this platform, and these parties will be required to create an online account.

On the other hand, in-person permit applications can also be made by making an appointment with the Nashville Department of Codes and Building Safety over the phone at (615)-862-6500 or by sending an email. Interested persons can also obtain a permit by visiting the department at:

The office can be accessed by members of the public between the hours of 7:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m., Mondays through Fridays. Note that only completed applications with the requisite plans attached would be approved. Once approval is given, permits must also be picked up in person. It is important to verify that your intended plumber has obtained all your project permits. This can be done by contacting the Metro Customer Service at 311 if you live in Nashville or by contacting the Nashville Department of Codes and Building Safety at (615)-862-6500 if you reside outside the city limits. Queries can also be made in person at the address provided above.

It is important to note that inspections can be scheduled by the Department of Codes and Building Safety at any stage of the project, regardless of whether or not a permit has been issued for the project. Inspections are carried out to ensure compliance with Nashville's plumbing code, and they are carried out before any of the plumbing work is covered or concealed. Completed projects would get a final inspection, and if the inspectors are satisfied, a Certificate of Occupancy is issued. Inspections can be scheduled online through the E-permit platform or by calling either 311 for local callers or (615)-862-6500 for callers outside the city.

What Kind of Plumbing Services Do You Offer?

Plumbers in Nashville City offer various services ranging from replacing faulty piping and fixtures within existing buildings to installing plumbing systems in new buildings. Other services offered by plumbers within the city include fixing leaks and repairing faulty drainages or sewer systems.

Usually, plumbing services fall within four categories: leak detection and repair, drain cleaning services, installations and replacements, and inspection and maintenance. It is best practice to confirm that the plumber you intend to hire has the requisite skills for the job at hand.

Some common cost estimates for plumbing services in Nashville City include:

Do You Offer Emergency Plumbing Services in Nashville?

The Environmental Protection Agency reports that household leaks result in more than 1 trillion gallons of water wasted annually across the country. Residents within Nashville pay at least $3.64 per 3 CCF of metered water usage, so it is important to plug any leakages as soon as it is discovered.

Certain plumbing situations like burst pipes, backed-up or overflowing toilets, and leaking water heaters require urgent attention and should be treated as an emergency. In such situations, it is important to find a licensed and experienced plumber within your proximity to fix the issue right away. One way to do this is to use the License Search and Verification Platform from the Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance. Online resources like Yelp and Better Business Bureau can also be of help. It is important to always verify the licensing status of any plumber near you before retaining their services.

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

Plumbers in Nashville are required by law to possess commercial general liability insurance, so it is important that you hire only individuals who have a subsisting insurance plan. In 2019, the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that there was a 5% increase in work-related deaths in the construction industry from the previous year. The Tennessee Department of Labour and Workforce Development also recorded 2 deaths among plumbers in the state during the same period. Hiring only the services of an insured plumber protects you from financial liability in the event of an unforeseen work-related accident or any resulting injury.

Aside from liability insurance, which is mandatory, plumbers with at least one employee must also have a valid Workers' Compensation insurance plan. Alternatively, you can confirm the validity of your plumber's insurance plans by contacting the issuing organizations.