Get Quotes from Top Plumbers in Seattle, WA

Are You Licensed to Practice as a Plumber in Seattle?

Any plumber who intends to perform plumbing work in Seattle City must obtain a license from the Washington State Department of Labor and Industries. Failure to comply with this licensing requirement can result in fines ranging from $500 to $5,000.

Before applying for a license, candidates are generally required to meet certain requirements. These include being at least 16 years old and completing a plumber trainee certification program. Interested applicants can apply to the trainee certification program in person at any of the L&I field offices or by completing and submitting an Application for Plumber Trainee Certification Form via mail-in to the address listed on the aforementioned form. During this trainee program, successful applicants must serve as plumber trainees for four years or more under the supervision of a certified journey-level plumber, and they are also expected to garner practical experience with commercial or industrial plumbing systems during this time.

Once the certification program is completed, interested plumbers can proceed to apply for the plumbing contractor license by downloading the application form. The completed form can be submitted by mail to the Department of Labor and Industries Plumber Licensing and Certification using the mailing address below.

For more inquiries about licensing and certification, contact the Department of Labor & Industries Plumber Licensing and Certification by email or call (360) 902-5207. You can also confirm that your plumber is licensed by utilizing the Washington Department of Labor and Industries' online verification portal.

How Much Do You Charge Compared to Plumbers in Seattle?

When planning to hire a plumber for your plumbing project, it is beneficial to compare price estimates from various plumbers in your region. This will help in estimating whether a plumber's pricing is outrageous or appropriate and can go a long way in saving you money. However, note that the cost of a plumber is determined by a variety of factors, including the nature of your plumbing project, the cost of essential materials, and the plumber's experience. For example, master plumbers would likely charge more than journeyman plumbers for the same service, as they generally have a higher level of proficiency.

A plumber in Seattle earns an annual average wage of $82,060. Below is a breakdown of the average hourly wages for plumbers in Seattle compared with plumbers in other parts of Washington State and other major cities in the country:

Do You Comply with the Seattle Building Code for Plumbing?

The 2018 Seattle Plumbing Code is an ordinance designed to provide minimum standard requirements for plumbing works and protect the life, health, property, and public welfare of city residents who interact with plumbing systems within the city. This Code governs the erection, installation, alteration, repair, relocation, additions, replacement, use, and maintenance of plumbing systems. Such plumbing systems include residential plumbing systems, underground fire protection piping, reclaimed water piping, subsurface drainage piping, rainwater piping, and fire sprinklers. One reason why you should hire a licensed plumber for your plumbing work is that licensed plumbers are often familiar with the requirements of the city's plumbing code.

Therefore, they are likely to address your plumbing problem according to the required standards and protect you from potential code violations and any penalties that may result from these violations. Penalties include a fine of up to $500 per day for each violation from the date the violations occur until the day compliance is achieved. The Seattle Plumbing Code is enforced by the King County Public Health Department, and you can direct plumbing code-related queries to this Department at (206) 263-9566.

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

According to Section 107 of the 2018 Seattle Plumbing Code, a permit is required to install, alter, replace, or remove plumbing systems in the city. However, certain plumbing works can be done without a permit. Examples of these plumbing works include:

• The stopping of leaks in drains or vent pipes provided that such action does not necessitate the removal or replacement of the drain or vent pipes.
• The clearing of plumbing blockages or the removal and reinstallation of water closets, provided that such repairs do not include or necessitate the replacement or rearrangement of pipes, valves, or fixtures.

Before applying for a permit, it is necessary to make sure that your property is within Seattle. You can confirm this by utilizing the Seattle GIS map. The Seattle Services Portal may also be utilized to find out whether your property has any recent permits or violations.

Plumbing permits are issued by the King County Public Health Department, and residents can submit permit applications to this Department through its online service portal. To make use of this portal, applicants are required to have a user account. Alternatively, residents can apply for a plumbing permit by downloading a plumbing permit application form and mailing the completed form to the King County Public Health Department at:

Note that all plumbing work for which a permit is required is subject to inspection by the King County Public Health Department. These inspections are performed to ensure that the plumbing work is done according to the Seattle Plumbing Code and other relevant regulations. Inspection requests can be made by calling (206) 971-9780 or texting "Schedule" to (844) 413-2653 and following the voice prompts. Requesters are typically required to provide their permit number, inspection code, and contact number. To make inquiries on permitting processes and inspections, you can contact the King County Public Health Department at (206) 263-9566.

What Kind of Plumbing Services Do You Offer?

The services rendered by a plumber are mostly determined by the plumber's expertise and specialization. In terms of skill, the longer a plumber has worked in the sector, the more probable the plumber is capable of delivering a wide range of plumbing services. Master plumbers, for example, are typically more proficient than trainee plumbers since they have more plumbing expertise.

Similarly, plumbers specialize in certain areas of plumbing, and some plumbing works may require that you hire a plumber who specializes in that area. For example, when planning a huge outlet tank or pipe plumbing repair, it is best to engage a plumber who specializes in commercial plumbing services rather than one who specializes in residential plumbing services. As a result, understanding what type of plumbing work you require will help you find the correct plumber.

Specialty plumbers in Seattle include residential, commercial, and service and repair plumbers. Residential plumbers typically handle plumbing projects in residential apartments, while commercial plumbers handle plumbing projects in commercial and industrial buildings. However, while residential and commercial plumbers perform various plumbing jobs such as installing, repairing, and maintaining plumbing systems, service and repair plumbers typically only perform plumbing maintenance and repairs. Nevertheless, some common cost estimates for plumbing services in Seattle include:

Do You Offer Emergency Plumbing Services in Seattle?

A lot of damage can be done if a plumbing issue is not addressed quickly. Pipe leaks are a common example of this, and it is estimated that these types of plumbing issues result in about 12% of water waste in homes. Detecting and fixing leaks is one of the most impactful actions you can take to prevent water waste from turning into a disaster, as these issues have the potential to cause flooding, property damage, and significant financial loss. Hence, it is essential to fix any leaks in your property as quickly as possible. However, while all plumbing concerns should be addressed as soon as possible, certain problems demand more attention than others. Burst pipes, backed-up or overflowing toilets, and leaking water heaters are common examples.

When you need emergency plumbing services, it is important to make sure that the plumber you hire is not only qualified and knowledgeable but also close enough to handle the problem straight away. You can locate plumbers in your area by using third-party websites such as the Better Business Bureau or Yelp. However, you should also ascertain that any plumber you hire is properly licensed. The Washington Department of Labor and Industries maintains an online verification portal that you can use to do this.

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

An insurance policy protects not just your plumber but you as well. In particular, hiring an insured plumber protects you against the costs of property damage or injuries that may occur as a result of your plumbing project. Therefore, you should always ensure that the plumber you consider hiring has a current insurance policy. All plumbers in Seattle must have a $6,000 Washington Continuous Contractor Surety Bond and maintain general liability insurance coverage with limits of up to $200,000 in public liability and $50,000 in property damage.

You may verify if a plumber has met these bonding and insurance requirements by asking the plumber to provide proof. To make further inquiries regarding bond and insurance requirements for Seattle plumbers, you can contact the Washington Department of Labor and Industries via email or by calling (360) 902-5207.