Get Quotes from Top Plumbers in Aurora, CO

Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Plumber in Aurora

Studies have shown that the amount of water leaked in the U.S comes to an estimated total of about 1 trillion gallons annually. With monthly water rates for residential homes in Aurora starting from $5.63 for the first 0 - 5000 gallons, ignoring plumbing leaks can result in much higher water bills than you may typically be accustomed to. In addition, ignoring these plumbing issues can also make relatively minor problems become much more expensive to repair in the long run. When you need to secure the services of a good plumber near you, make sure you get answers to the following questions before hiring the plumber:

Are You Licensed to Practice as a Plumber in Aurora?

Hiring a plumber who is licensed is a very good way to ensure that you are well protected against shady dealings and unqualified professionals. The State of Colorado makes it compulsory for plumbers to obtain licenses before engaging in any plumbing work anywhere within its jurisdiction, including Aurora. Although the state law does not penalize individuals who do not hire licensed plumbers, failing to hire a licensed plumber might result in a failure to obtain the appropriate plumbing permits, which in turn means that your project is likely to fail inspections and may run contrary to other applicable city and state requirements.

Plumbers in Aurora must possess a valid license issued by the Colorado State Plumbing Board. The Plumbing Board is one of the regulatory boards under the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA), and it oversees the registration, licensing, and regulation of plumbing contractors, apprentice plumbers, journeyman plumbers, and residential plumbers.

A residential plumber must have amassed at least 3,400 hours of experience to qualify for the role. A journeyman plumber must have 6,800 hours of practical experience, while a master plumber must have 8,500 hours of practical experience. All plumbing professionals will be required to sit for an exam before qualification. Qualified persons will be required to apply online through the DORA online portal. Note that applicants will also be required to pay all required application fees before they can be issued with the requested licenses.

You can verify that a plumber has been duly licensed by the state by visiting the license lookup portal maintained for this purpose. Also, licensed plumbers in Aurora must register a valid state license with the Aurora Building Division before carrying out jobs within the city or applying for requisite permits. You can call the city's building division at (303) 739-7420 to verify the registration status of your intended plumber or to make inquiries related to the city's registration requirements.

How Much Do You Charge Compared to Plumbers in Aurora?

Before you agree on a price or make any payments to your chosen plumber, it is always wise to compare the prices and quotes given to you with the average price charged for that service. In fact, the Federal Trade Commission advises that you should obtain quotes from two or more other sources before agreeing on a particular price.

A plumber in Aurora earns an annual average wage of $60,950. Below is a breakdown of the average hourly wages for plumbers in Aurora compared with plumbers in other parts of Colorado and other major cities in the country:

Aurora Plumber Hourly Average Wage
$29.30
Colorado Plumber Hourly Average Wage
$27.14
Colorado Springs Plumber Hourly Average Wage
$24.78
Miami Plumber Hourly Average Wage
$22.66
Chicago Plumber Hourly Average Wage
$44.20
Rockford Plumber Hourly Average Wage
$40.14
New York City Plumber Hourly Average Wage
$35.78
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Do You Comply with the Aurora Building Code for Plumbing?

Under the provisions of the Aurora Code, plumbers in Aurora must carry out their functions in line with the 2015 International Plumbing Code. This code governs the different activities of plumbers within the city and provides minimum standards for these activities to ensure the protection of the health, property, and public welfare of Aurora residents. Issues covered by the code include:

  • Water supply and distribution piping
  • Storm drainage, sanitary drainage, and venting
  • Permitting
  • Inspections and licensing

Before you hire a plumber in Aurora, it is very important that you make sure that this plumber is familiar with the city's plumbing code. This is so that the work done on your property does not violate any of the city codes, which can result in you having to pay fines or re-doing the entire work. One way to make sure that you only hire plumbers who are familiar with the plumbing code is to hire duly licensed plumbers. This is because these professionals are made to demonstrate their mastery of relevant state requirements as well as the city's plumbing code as a part of the requirements for undergoing plumbing licensing and registration. You can contact the Aurora Building Division at (303) 739-7420 for more information on the city's code.

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

Depending on the type of work to be done, plumbers in Aurora may be required to obtain permits from Aurora Building Division or from the Colorado Plumbing Board, in compliance with the city's building code. The permits to be obtained from the city include permits for the installation of water heaters and showers, modifications of plumbing systems, and boiler installations and repairs. Plumbing permits may be issued to homeowners who are to carry out plumbing works on personal residences or to validly licensed plumbers. A permit may be obtained online through the Aurora4Biz platform provided for this purpose. You can call the Building Division at (303) 739-7420 or send an email for inquiries regarding the status of a permit application or plan review.

Likewise, plumbing permits may also be obtained from the Colorado Plumbing Board by sending in an application online or by completing a permit application form to be sent to the State Plumbing Board at

1560 Broadway
Suite 1350
Denver, CO 80202

Permits that are issued by the state plumbing board include residential installation permits, residential special installation permits, and commercial installation permits. Note that all plumbing installations and issues that require a permit within the city will also require inspections once the work is completed. You may call the city's Building Division at (303) 739-7420 for queries relating to permits as well as for inspection-related questions.

What Kind of Plumbing Services Do You Offer?

When you want to hire a plumber, it is very important that you confirm that the intended professional has the capacity to handle the issue you are faced with. Plumbers in Aurora typically offer a variety of services, some of which include pipe installations and repairs, fixing leaks and unclogging drains, and maintenance of old or new plumbing systems. You should bear in mind that there are different levels of expertise that may be required when carrying out a repair or replacement of a faulty fixture as opposed to the installation of a new plumbing system or a boiler installation. As a result of this, you should make sure that the plumber you hire is made aware of the precise challenge you have and is qualified and equipped to handle it.

Here is a list of some of the different plumbing jobs available in Aurora and their cost estimates:

Cost of Faucets, Fixtures, and Pipes Installation or Repair
$97.50- $312.50
Cost of Toilet Installation or Replacement
$172.50 - $312.50
Cost of Clearing Drain Clog or Blockage
$119.75- $146.50
Cost of Septic System Installation
$7,703- $8,403
Cost of Sewer Line Cleaning
$166.83 - $254.90
Cost of Sump Pump Installation
$818.80- $1,107
Cost of Water Main Installation or Repair
$30.71- $54.18
Cost of Water Heater Repair
$350 - $600
Cost of Water Heater Replacement
$1,250 - $3,000
Cost of Well Pump Repair
$650 - $850

Do You Offer Emergency Plumbing Services in Aurora?

Most of the time, plumbing cases require very urgent attention and can, therefore, be classed as emergencies. When hiring your plumbing professional, one of the things to look out for is whether the particular professional you have chosen can handle the particular challenge you have. You should bear in mind that there are different levels of competency among plumbers, and some plumbers also specialize in specific types of plumbing works like sewer installations, commercial plumbing works, or repair and maintenance plumbing.

After deciding that your plumber can handle the issue you have, you should also make sure that the plumber is familiar with your location and can get to you as soon as possible. Aurora charges no lower than $5.63 per first 5000 gallons of water used every month, and so a tiny leak or simple plumbing issue, if not attended to quickly, might end up costing you a lot of money. You can find licensed plumbers that offer emergency plumbing services in Aurora by visiting third-party websites like the Better Business Bureau.

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

Aurora does not mandate that plumbers possess insurance before carrying out a job. However, it is advised that you do not hire a plumber that does not have insurance coverage. Hiring a plumber without insurance could result in you being held financially liable for any unforeseen accidents or work-related accidents that happen while work is being carried out on your property. Additionally, if there is no insurance, you might also have to pay for any damage that is done to your property or bear the cost of any shoddy work. Therefore, before you enter into a contract with a plumber, it is advisable that you request and verify that the plumber has valid insurance coverage in place.

How to File a Complaint Against a Bad Plumber in Aurora

In July 2021, a plumbing scam involving sewer inspections was uncovered in several cities across Colorado, which involved plumbing contractors charging outrageous prices for phantom problems and also charging outrageous prices to carry out routine inspections. Home improvements generally cost a lot of money, and it is estimated that the average homeowner in Colorado spent over $6000 on home improvements in 2017 alone. Because of the high volume of money involved, scams have become rampant, with unscrupulous individuals adopting different patterns to try and fleece unsuspecting homeowners of their money.

Some of the common methods adopted by these scammers include overcharging for simple projects, collecting upfront payments and not completing the work, or doing a shoddy job after being paid substantially or in full. Most times, these individuals go door to door and offer free inspection services to lure you into securing their services. During these inspections, the professional might claim to have uncovered certain problems that require immediate attention and urge you to pay them to carry out these repairs.

In some extreme cases, the plumber might charge you an outrageous price for the repairs and offer to get you a lender to help complete these repairs. If you are not careful, this kind of scam could result in you fighting to keep your home.

Here are some ways you could avoid falling victim to these scams:

  • Always verify any quotes or prices with at least two other plumbers using the same specifications
  • Avoid doing business with plumbers who show up at your door offering their services.
  • Before hiring a plumber, obtain references and recommendations from people you trust, like family members or neighbors.
  • Where possible, always ask for references from the plumber and verify those references. Where applicable, check for reviews on previous work done by the plumber.
  • Always make sure that you obtain a written contract for your project and ensure that the contract defines all the terms of the relationship, particularly the amount to be paid for the job.

If you have been the victim of a plumbing scam, you can file a complaint with the Office of the Colorado Attorney General using this office's online complaint portal. Alternatively, if the individual involved in the scam is a state-licensed plumber, you can file a complaint with the Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA) online.