Get Quotes from Top Plumbers in Hialeah, FL

Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Plumber in Hialeah

The United State Environmental Protection Agency estimates that the average household with leaky pipes or faulty faucets loses about 90 gallons of water or more every day. With residents of Hialeah spending a minimum of $5.22 per 100 gallon of water monthly, wastages like this may amount to several dollars added to your utility bill.

While you may consider fixing faulty fixtures yourself, it is not advisable to hire a qualified plumber. Unlike other minor home repairs, plumbing issues can easily become complicated and minor leakages from faulty installation may go undetected for months. However, when search for a plumber in the city, you can do your due diligence by asking the following questions to determine they are qualified to complete your job:

Are You Licensed to Practice as a Plumber in Hialeah?

The licensing of plumbers in Hialeah is conducted at the state level by the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation through its Construction Industry Licensing Board. Per Section 489.127 of the Florida Statutes, no individual can engage in contracting activities, including plumbing, in Hialeah, without obtaining a relevant license from this board. The penalty for unlicensed contracting in Hialeah is a first-degree misdemeanor charge, which carries a punishment of a fine of up to $1000 or 12 months in jail.

There are certain requirements that have to be satisfied to become a licensed plumber in Hialeah. These include:

  • The applicant must provide proof of at least four years of work experience or a combination of experience and related education.
  • The applicant must pass a plumbing licensing exam.
  • The applicant must have valid workers' compensation insurance.

To verify the authenticity of any professional plumber's license, you can make use of the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation's online services portal. This portal allows you to perform searches by license name, license number, city, or license type, and it also notifies you if the plumber's license is expired or current.

How Much Do You Charge Compared to Plumbers in Hialeah?

How much plumbers in Hialeah charge for the services that they offer is directly proportional to the nature of the work done. Therefore, before contracting out a project, it is advisable to do a price comparison among four to five different plumbers. Each of these plumbers should do an estimated cost value alongside the amount of work that will be done and also include the prices of any materials that may be required for the job. This makes for effective comparison and helps you carry out the plumbing project within your budget.

A plumber in Hialeah earns an annual average wage of $61,100. Listed below is a breakdown of the average hourly wages for plumbers in Hialeah compared with plumbers in other parts of Florida and other major cities in the country:

Hialeah Plumber Hourly Average Wage
$29.37
Florida Plumber Hourly Average Wage
$21.92
Los Angeles Plumber Hourly Average Wage
$29.04
Houston Plumber Hourly Average Wage
$26.71
Chicago Plumber Hourly Average Wage
$44.20
Boston Plumber Hourly Average Wage
$40.46
Washington D.C. Plumber Hourly Average Wage
$27.93
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Do You Comply with the Hialeah Building Code for Plumbing?

The Miami-Dade Building Code is a set of requirements and regulations that must be adhered to to provide a certain level of safety to the life and property of residents in Hialeah. The Miami-Dade Building Code was enacted to make sure the highest building standards are met. All the plumbing work that goes on in Hialeah must conform to this building code, and the city's Building Department enforces it. Hiring a plumber with the proper knowledge of the rules of this code will save you an expansive range of legal liabilities and penalties.

The building code contains requirements or conditions that must be upheld to avoid hazardous situations and to protect residents of Hialeah from unethical individuals. These codes provide a certain degree of safety to life and property, and they apply to the maintenance, installation, and alteration of plumbing systems all over the city. The building code also helps put a check on the quality of materials used and controls the operation of the plumbing system and equipment.

Although it is expected for every licensed plumber in Hialeah to know the codes and work by them, it is also essential for you to familiarize yourself with its regulations. This helps prevent code violations, which are typically subject to fines and other administrative penalties. Queries concerning the building code can be directed to the Hialeah Building Department by calling (305)-883-5825.

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

A permit is an essential requirement of the plumbing code, and it is necessary for the installation, maintenance, and alteration of any plumbing system in Hialeah. However, permit exceptions are typically made for minor repairs such as stopping leaks, clearing stoppages, and replacing shut-off valves and faucets. The Hialeah Building Department is responsible for the issuing of permits for all plumbing works in the city, and any plumbing project carried out without acquiring the necessary permit will result in a fine of up to $500.

A plumbing permit can only be applied for and issued to a licensed plumber. This licensed plumber will be required to download, complete, and submit a Plumbing Permit-Fee Form to:

Building Division
501 Palm Avenue
Hialeah, FL 33010
Hours: 7:30 a.m. - 3:15 p.m., Monday through Friday

When the application for the permit has been approved, the project can commence. Note that after the project has been completed, it may have to be inspected before it can be officially considered concluded. Areas that are commonly inspected include roughing systems, piping systems, drainages, vents, and water supply systems. Inspections can only be requested via email, and they are carried out from 7:30 a.m. to 3:15 p.m., Monday through Friday. During these inspections, the project's plans and permits must also be available on-site. Queries concerning the inspection process can be directed to the Hialeah Building Division at (305)-883-5825.

What Kind of Plumbing Services Do You Offer?

Once the license status of your intended plumber has been confirmed, you need to confirm the area of expertise of the plumber to ensure that they are in line with the services you require. Hialeah plumbers offer a variety of services, like replacements and installations, leak repairs, drain cleaning, water heater services, and sewer repairs. You must confirm the level of experience of the intended plumber, as not all plumbers are experienced enough to tackle every type of plumbing issue. For example, while a journeyman plumber can fix a broken fixture, a more experienced plumber is typically required for the installation of new plumbing equipment or major repairs.

Listed below are cost estimates of common plumbing services in Hialeah:

Clearing drain clog or blockage
$170 - $250
Toilet installation or replacement
$180 - $300
Bathtub installation
$2,200 - $3,700
Drain line video inspection
$290 - $400
Gas line installation
$39 - $50
Septic tank cleaning or pumping
$313 -$350
Sump pump installation
$1000 - $1500
Water softener installation
$1,200 - $1,500
Septic tank installation
$8, 500 - $9,500

Do You Offer Emergency Plumbing Services in Hialeah?

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, the average household loses about 90 gallons of water daily due to leaky pipes, which in turn increases the water use bills for these households. A plumbing emergency can occur at any point in time, and these emergencies may include clogged toilets, basement floodings, faucet malfunctions, and leaky pipes.

In the event of an emergency, it is important to hire the services of a licensed plumber near you who has ample experience working on your specific type of emergency issue. The plumber's proximity to you is key, as this ensures that the issue can be fixed on time before it escalates. You can find qualified plumbers near you through third-party websites like Google Review, Yelp, and Better Business Bureau.

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

According to a report published by the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics in 2019, the State of Florida had a total of 309 work-related injuries. Ultimately, work-related accidents cannot be eliminated, but you can mitigate any financial burden associated with these accidents by hiring insured plumbers.

Per Section 10-19 of the Miami-Dade County Code of Ordinance, all licensed contractors In Hialeah are required to maintain insurance coverage of up to three hundred thousand dollars ($300,000.00) per occurrence for bodily injury and fifty thousand dollars ($50,000.00) per accident for property damage. The insurance must be provided by a company authorized to do business in the State of Florida. Therefore, when hiring a plumber near you, it is essential to find out if they have active insurance coverage. You can do this by requesting the plumber's insurance certificate and calling the issuing insurance company to confirm its authenticity.

Note that every contractor across the State of Florida, including plumbers in Hialeah, is to obtain a workers' compensation certificate from the Florida Division of Workers Compensation (FDWC). This division provides insurance to workers in Florida; it assures that workers get medical care for a portion of the income they lose while they're unable to work due to a work-related injury. The FDWC has a list of contractors that have active workers' compensation, and you can verify your plumber's coverage by using the Workers division's database or by calling (850) 488 - 2333.

How to File a Complaint Against a Bad Plumber in Hialeah

It is not unusual to find unethical plumbers posing as valid plumbers to scam unsuspecting residents of Hialeah. In 2019, a home improvement contractor was arrested for defrauding consumers across the State of Florida of up to $40,000. Fraudulent plumbers make use of several methods to steal from unwary residents. Some telltale signs of unscrupulous plumbers in Hialeah include:

  • Unsolicited visits, calls, or messages from a plumber with offers of discounted repairs or claims to have done business with you.
  • The plumbing contractor asks you to agree to an oral contract.
  • The plumber requests upfront payment in cash.
  • The plumber cannot provide professional plumbing credentials

The following tips will help you steer clear of unethical plumbers.

  • Ask for referrals from family and neighbors or check for online reviews. You can also get estimates from various plumbing contractors.
  • Check the contractors' address, license, and complaint history by checking the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation website.
  • Always refuse a cash-only deal.
  • Ask contractors to justify their bids by listing the required materials; this allows for a well-founded comparison.
  • Always request a duly written and signed contract
  • Never make a full payment until you're satisfied with the job done

If you wish to file a complaint against a plumber in Hialeah, you may contact the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation. This department is charged with regulating and licensing professionals in Florida, and you can file reports against plumbers with it, either online or by calling (850) 487-139. You can also file a complaint against a plumber by downloading and filling out the Miami Dade Contractor Complaint Form. This form is made available by the Miami Dade County Department of Regulatory and Economic Resources and should be mailed to:

Department of Regulatory and Economic Resources
11805 South West
26 Street Coral Way
Miami, FL 33175-2474

You may report fraudulent plumbers to the Florida Attorney General's Office by calling (866) 966-7226. While the Attorney General's office may help provide a resolution of the complaint, personal relief is not guaranteed. If you wish to obtain monetary compensation or any other type of personal relief, it is best to pursue private legal action in an appropriate court. For instance, cases that involve up to $8,000 can be filed at the Miami Dade County Small Claims Court located at:

73 W. Flagler Street
Miami, FL 33130
Hours: 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Further queries concerning filing a small claims lawsuit can be directed to the Miami Dade Courthouse by calling (305)-275-1155.