Finding the Right Plumber for your needs can be a challenge. There are a lot of different plumbers out there, some good, some not so good and some great! In fact, the quality of plumbers varies from state to state and quite often from country to country.
To become a Master Plumber in the US, one must have extensive experience and be registered or licensed.
What makes a plumber qualify as a Master Plumber?
The Master Plumber title is open to any plumber who has completed a four-year apprenticeship program and successfully passed the master qualifying examination. The term “Master” should not be taken lightly, as it represents years of experience and expertise in the trade.
In addition, some states require a minimum number of hours worked before a person can obtain the “Master” designation. For example, Florida law requires 5,000 hours before applying for a master license; New York requires 10 years (minimum age 25); California allows its licensed plumbers to apply immediately upon completion of 4 year apprenticeship.
In New York City, special licenses are required for plumbers who install both fixtures and backflow preventers. It is against the law to perform plumbing work without a license, because of public health concerns about clean water. The state’s Master Plumber licensing requirements include passing an exam and completing 4,000 hours as an apprentice. Applicants must also pass a drug test and complete at least 144 hours of related training every three years throughout their professional career. A Master Plumber qualifies to apply for a master or general contractor license in New York State after 5 years of experience in the field (minimum age 25).
A plumbing code enforced by many states is (ANSI A13.1-2006).
Finding the plumber for your needs
Finding the plumber for your needs is something that should be easy and not over-complicated. There are plenty of home improvement companies that offer a wide range of services, but only some will deal with plumbing problems.
What you need to know in order to get the right professional plumber is to use their expertise according to the issue at hand. For example, if there’s a leakage or you simply want them to clear your drain, then find an expert who can do it swiftly and efficiently. However, if there’s work required at your home, like piping/wiring or digging and you’re doing it by yourself, then getting a plumber just for their advice might not be worth it. They’ll charge you anything between $100 – $300 for ten minutes of work.
So, what are the types of plumbers you can hire?
1. Emergency plumber : Usually they work 24/7 and charge a minimum of $100 – $150 per visit and $40 – $75 for every half an hour spent on site after that. If you find someone reliable who lives nearby then go for it – your problem will be solved in no time! As long as they’re available when needed, it’s great to have them around since there might not be another option at 3 AM (if the pipes burst or the sewage is flooding your house). When looking for someone in your area, try asking friends or family members if they know anyone trustworthy.
2. Plumbing contractor : It’s ideal to get them for larger projects, like upgrading your shower or toilet, etc. If they’re offering you a package deal (for example: installing a new sink plus unclogging the drain) then great! Try to assess how much work will be involved before choosing their offer though – remember, some companies might charge more if there are several problems at once. A contractor can work alone or with an assistant and generally charges between $65 – $100 per hour.
3. Drain cleaning : It’s best to get someone who knows exactly what they’re doing when it comes to clearing clogged drains . In fact, sometimes you can end up spending hundreds of dollars just because you hired the wrong company that doesn’t know what caused the problem in the first place. Make sure that the drain cleaner has a proper license and contacts you before starting any work. If he charges by the job, then make sure to get an estimate first so there are no misunderstandings later on (remember: you want to know what it’s going to cost).
4. Plumbing supplies : They sell the same products as regular retailers, but for a much higher price .
