Get Quotes from Top Plumbers in Anchorage, AK

Are You Licensed to Practice as a Plumber in Anchorage?

Anyone interested in working as a professional plumber in Anchorage must first obtain a certificate of fitness from the Mechanical Inspection Office of the Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development. This certificate of fitness is a professional license to perform electrical or plumbing work across Alaska, including Anchorage. The plumbing certificate of fitness types issued by the Mechanical Inspection Office includes plumber journeyman certificate of fitness, plumber gas certificate of fitness, and plumber utility certificate of fitness. To obtain a plumber journeyman certificate of fitness, applicants must obtain a minimum of 8,000 hours of experience in installing residential and commercial plumbing systems or a maximum of 1,000 hours of plumbing trade-related classroom training from a state-approved school.

Similarly, to obtain a plumber gas certificate of fitness, applicants must complete 4,000 hours of work in the plumbing trade, with a minimum of 2,000 hours installing fuel gas piping and 2,000 hours of commercial and residential plumbing installation. However, applicants can substitute the commercial and residential plumbing installation experience with 500 hours of plumbing trade-related classroom training.

Finally, to obtain a plumber utility certificate of fitness, applicants must obtain 1,000 hours of work experience in installing water, sewer, and storm lines or 125 hours of plumbing trade-related classroom training. Note that all categories of plumbing certificate of fitness applicants must take a state-approved plumbing examination. For inquiries concerning plumber certificate of fitness requirements and examination, applicants can call the Mechanical Inspection Office of the Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development at (907) 269-4925.

In addition to state-issued licenses, plumbing contractors are required to obtain a qualification card from the city's Department of Development Services. The qualification card types issued to Anchorage plumbers are plumbing and sheet metal contractor qualification card, gas piping contractor qualification card, plumbing and sheet metal Journeyman qualification card, and gas piping journeyman qualification card. To obtain any of the aforementioned qualification cards, interested persons must pass an approved examination and complete several hours of work experience. For inquiries concerning qualification card application requirements and processes, residents can contact the Permit Counter of the Department of Development Services at (907) 343-8211.

Before hiring a plumber near you, it is always important to confirm if they are licensed to work in your city. You can confirm a plumber's license status by calling the Mechanical Inspection Office of the Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development at (907) 269-4925.

How Much Do You Charge Compared to Plumbers in Anchorage?

The hourly cost of hiring a plumber to do your plumbing work in Anchorage may vary with different plumbers. However, what each plumber charges per hour for plumbing work is typically determined by the nature of the work, the cost of materials, and the individual's experience. Before hiring a plumber in Anchorage, you should ideally have a general idea of what your project may cost. Comparing estimates from different plumbers is a helpful way to do this.

A plumber in Anchorage earns an annual average wage of $45,980. Listed below is a breakdown of the average hourly wages for plumbers in Anchorage compared with plumbers in other parts of Alaska and other major cities in the country:

Do You Comply with the Anchorage Building Code for Plumbing?

All home improvement and construction works, including plumbing works, are regulated by the Anchorage Administrative Code. The purpose of this Administrative Code is to establish minimum construction standards to safeguard public health by ensuring that buildings are strong, clean, properly ventilated, and safe for residents.

Before hiring a plumber to do your plumbing work, it is important to confirm if the individual is familiar with the city's Administrative Code. Likewise, you should also read and understand the city's Administrative Code, as this can help you notice when your plumber is not being compliant. Section 103 of the Code states that violating any section of the Anchorage Administrative Code can lead to the issuance of a stop-work order and a possible civil penalty. For inquiries concerning this Code, Code violations, and tips for Code compliance, you can call the city's Code Enforcement hotline at (907) 343-4141.

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

Except for minor repairs listed in section 23.10.104.2.4 of the Anchorage Administrative Code, a permit is needed to install, alter, repair, or replace a plumbing system in Anchorage. The Department of Development Services handles the issuance of all kinds of plumbing permits in Anchorage, and contractors or homeowners can apply for plumbing permits under two plumbing permit categories. To perform a plumbing repair or installation in a building not exceeding four dwelling units or to perform the exact replacement of plumbing equipment, fixtures, or fittings, contractors or homeowners need to obtain a retrofit permit from the Department.

However, if the plumbing work exceeds any of the aforementioned conditions, contractors must apply for a commercial permit. To obtain a plumbing permit, applicants are required to submit a completed retro work application form or commercial worksheet application form to:

Applicants are required to clarify the nature of the work to be done, the location of the building, and the proposed use of the building in their application. Commercial permit applications must also include the submission of drawings and plans. You can verify if your plumber has obtained the necessary permits online or by calling the Department of Development Services Permit Counter at (907) 343-8211.

Note that all permitted works must also be inspected during and after such work is completed. Common plumbing work inspections include underground rough-in inspections, water pipe inspections, and interceptor inspections. You can schedule an inspection online or by calling the Department of Development Services Inspection Request telephone line at (907) 343-8300.

What Kind of Plumbing Services Do You Offer?

Anchorage plumbers offer various types of plumbing services, which generally include stopping leaks, overall maintenance, clearing of blocked drains, installation of water heaters, and installation of backflow prevention systems. However, residents of Anchorage must understand that it is their responsibility to ensure that the individuals they intend to hire can perform the services they need. One way of doing this is by asking the plumber about their area of specialization and how long they have specialized in this area. Besides knowing if your intended plumber can perform the services you need, you should also find out the potential cost for such services.

Listed below are some of the cost estimates for plumbing services in Anchorage:

Do You Offer Emergency Plumbing Services in Anchorage?

Emergency plumbing services are plumbing repairs or work that are performed immediately after a plumbing fault is discovered to prevent further damage and keep your home's plumbing system in good condition. Anchorage plumbers offer a variety of emergency plumbing services, including fixing burst pipes, installing water heaters and boilers, clearing clogged toilets, and minor repairs such as replacing valves. You should contact a qualified and competent plumber as soon as you discover plumbing emergencies such as leaks, burst pipes, and clogged drainage in your apartment.

Hiring a competent person to handle your plumbing emergency can save you a lot of money, considering that plumbing issues such as leaks can result in unnecessary sewer and water charges. Accordingly, it is estimated that fixing a household water leak can reduce your water bill by 10 percent. You can find competent and qualified plumbers by exploring third-party referral websites such as Better Business Bureau, Yelp, and Google Review. While you can find competent plumbers on these third-party websites, it is still necessary to confirm the individual's license status before finalizing any agreements. You can do this by calling the Mechanical Inspection Office of the Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development at (907) 269-4925.

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

In Alaska, general contractors are required to maintain general liability insurance before they can work anywhere in the state, including Anchorage. In addition, contractors with employees are required to maintain workers' compensation insurance. Before hiring a plumbing contractor for your home improvement work, it is crucial to find out if they are insured. This will protect you from claims that may arise as a result of the occurrence of work accidents or property damage during your plumbing work. You must understand that fatal work accidents may occur at any time during your home improvement work, and the only way to avoid the financial burdens of such accidents is by hiring a plumber who is insured. In 2019 alone, the construction industry accounted for 6% of the total fatal work injuries in Alaska, including injuries sustained during plumbing work.

You can confirm a contractor's insurance status by asking for their insurance certificate and contacting the insurance company that issued the certificate to be sure. Likewise, you can confirm if your contractor has workers' compensation insurance by calling the Alaska Workers' Compensation Special Investigations Unit at (907) 269-400.