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Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Plumber in Jacksonville

A single leaky toilet in Jacksonville can result in water wastage of about 200 gallons per day, raising your water bill by more than 30 percent every month. Hiring the right plumber in Jacksonville can save you money on your monthly bill while reducing the chances of fixing the same issue multiple times. When considering hiring a professional plumber near you, chances are that you have to get referrals from friends or neighbors. Whether this happens or not, you must always understand that it is your responsibility to ask the plumber you intend to hire the following questions to ascertain if the individual is competent and eligible to work in your city:

Are You Licensed to Practice as a Plumber in Jacksonville?

Plumbing licenses indicate that a professional is eligible to provide plumbing services in Jacksonville. According to section 341 of the Jacksonville Plumbing Code, no plumbing work shall be done by anyone who is not currently licensed as a certified plumber. The Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) is responsible for licensing plumbers in Jacksonville, and hiring an unlicensed plumber is considered a misdemeanor. You can be issued a cease and desist order or an administrative penalty of a fine of up to $5,000 for hiring an unlicensed plumber in Jacksonville.

There are two types of plumbing licenses for Jacksonville plumbers which are certified plumber licenses and registered plumber licenses. Certified plumbers are issued a certificate of competency that allows them to work in any jurisdiction in the state, while registered plumbers can only provide plumbing services in the jurisdiction for which the license is issued. To obtain a certified plumbing license in Jacksonville, you must be no less than the age of 18, have at least four years of plumbing experience or college education, and pass a state certification examination. You must also provide proof of financial stability and insurance coverage in the amount determined by the DBPR.

To obtain a registered plumber license, you must not be less than the age of 18, and you must provide proof of financial stability and insurance coverage. If you have any questions regarding the requirements for obtaining a certified plumbing license or a registered plumbing license, call the DBPR's Customer Contact Center at (850) 487 - 1395. Before hiring a plumber in Jacksonville, ensure that you have seen proof of licensure. You can verify the plumber's license by using the DBPR's licensee search tool.

How Much Do You Charge Compared to Plumbers in Jacksonville?

When considering hiring a plumber in Jacksonville, you should always ensure that you get multiple estimates from different plumbers. You can get these estimates from at least three plumbers and ensure that each individual justifies their bids by asking them to list the work and materials required for completing the job.

A plumber in Jacksonville earns an annual average wage of $46,650. Listed below is a breakdown of the Average hourly wages for plumbers in Jacksonville compared with plumbers in other parts of Florida and other major cities in the country:

Jacksonville Plumber Hourly Average Wage
$22.43
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
Miami Plumber Hourly Average Wage
$22.66
Washington D.C. Plumber Hourly Average Wage
$27.93
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Do You Comply with the Jacksonville Building Code for Plumbing?

Before hiring a plumber in Jacksonville, it is always important to find out if they are familiar with the city's code, as this can help you avoid a variety of legal and financial liabilities, including statutory penalties. The Jacksonville Plumbing Code consists of the rules governing plumbing activities within the city. These rules govern the installation, maintenance, replacement, extension, or alteration of plumbing systems in Jacksonville.

The Plumbing Code was established to maintain the highest construction standard and protect residents of Jacksonville from unscrupulous individuals by ensuring that only licensed plumbers can work in the city and plumbing permits are obtained for most plumbing work. While Jacksonville plumbers are expected to have read and understood the city's plumbing code, it is also important for residents to be familiar with these codes to stay ahead of any possible code violations. All queries concerning the city's plumbing code can be directed to the city's Building Inspection Division by calling (904) 255-8500.

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

Except for minor repairs such as the replacement of plumbing fixtures after a stop, fixing leakages, and clearing blocked drainage without changing a valve or pipe, permits are required for every other plumbing work in Jacksonville. Obtaining a plumbing permit helps you to avoid a variety of financial and legal liabilities, including fines. According to part four, chapter 320 of the city's building code, it is unlawful to start plumbing work without a plumbing permit, and this offense is punishable by a fine of up to $250.

Home improvement or construction work permits in Jacksonville can be requested by the homeowner on a property that is for their use and occupancy. However, where a homeowner obtains a building permit and is requesting the service of a plumber, the plumber must also obtain a plumbing permit associated with the homeowner's permit. Depending on the type of home improvement project, the homeowner may hire the services of a licensed or registered engineer or architect to submit necessary plans and applications for permits. As soon as the plans are reviewed, the plumber can then apply for the permit. Note that plumbing permits in Jacksonville can only be valid when the permit fees have been paid. Once a plumbing permit is issued, it must be kept on the site of the plumbing work and exhibited upon request by any of the city's Building Officials.

Note that a plumbing permit application can be denied if the valuation of plumbing systems appears to be underestimated on the application. As such, it is always important to get multiple estimates before hiring a plumber. This helps you to know the average prices of repairing a particular plumbing system.

Jacksonville's Building Inspection Division is responsible for issuing plumbing permits for all plumbing work in the city. Applications for these permits can be made online or in person at:

Building Inspection Division
Jacksonville
214 North Hogan Street
Jacksonville, Florida 32202

In addition to the issuance of plumbing permits, the city's Building Inspection Division also carries out inspections on plumbing work for which a permit is issued. Required plumbing inspections are determined at the time your permit application is reviewed. Each permit holder will receive a listing of required inspections at the same time the permit is issued. Plumbing inspections include but are not limited to, water and sewer inspections, roughing inspections, top-out inspections, piping tests, drainage and vent system tests, and water supply system tests. Queries concerning plumbing permits and inspection can be directed to the city's Building Inspection Division at (904) 255-8500.

What Kind of Plumbing Services Do You Offer?

Jacksonville plumbers offer a variety of services, including assembling, installing, maintaining, replacing, or repairing pipes, fixtures, and fittings of water, heating, and drainage systems. These professionals generally fix leaks, clean clogged or blocked drains, and repair or replace faulty fixtures and fittings in existing buildings, as well as install new pipes and fittings in new construction sites.

When considering hiring a plumber near you, it is always necessary to ensure that the individual is competent and experienced enough to handle the job. For example, while a journeyman plumber can fix a leak, you may require the services of a more experienced plumber to handle the installation of plumbing systems in your new building.

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

Bathtub installation
$1,600 - $2, 400
Septic system installation
$6,000 -$8,000
Sump pump installation
1, 000 - 2,000
Toilet installation
$139 - $200
Clearing clogged or blocked drains
$100 - $250
Septic tank cleaning
$150 -$250
Swamp cooler installation
$2,000 - $4,000
Water softener installation
$1,000 - $2,000.
Well pump installation
$700 - $1,500
Sewer line cleaning
$151 - $259
Sewer line installation and repair
$50 - $70
Septic tank cleaning or pumping
$230 - $300
Drain line video inspection
$225 -$300
Water main installation or repair
$27 -$55

Do You Offer Emergency Plumbing Services in Jacksonville?

Yes, most plumbers in Jacksonville offer emergency plumbing services. This is because most plumbing issues require immediate attention. Ignoring a faulty plumbing system may result in further damage to the system, as well as increasing your water bill. Common plumbing issues that require urgent attention include clogged toilets, faulty pipes, faulty sump pumps, and dripping faucets. It is estimated that household leaks can waste more than one trillion gallons of water annually.

Residents of Jacksonville must understand that there are two monetary charges for every 1,000 gallons of water used in the city. The first charge covers treating and delivering the water, and the second charge covers collecting and treating soiled water. With an average leaky toilet resulting in water wastage of about 200 gallons per day, ignoring a leaking plumbing system can be very expensive.

Note that the city's Building Inspection Division can allow a homeowner to carry out emergency plumbing work without obtaining a permit if it determines that delaying the repair may lead to actual and immediate danger of failure or collapse of the entire building or some portion of the building.

While you may be eager to hire any available plumber for emergency plumbing services, it is always a good idea to confirm that the individual is licensed and competent enough to fix the problem. In addition to this, it is also good to hire a plumber near you. This can help you avoid any delays that are associated with hiring someone outside your city. You can find licensed plumbers near you using third-party websites such as Better Business Bureau and Yelp. These websites not only maintain a list of registered plumbers near you but also allow customers to post reviews of plumbers they have hired in the past. This helps you avoid hiring the wrong person to fix your faulty plumbing system.

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

Yes, every licensed contractor in Jacksonville, including plumbers, is required to carry active general liability, workers' compensation, and employer liability insurance. Before hiring a plumber, you must ensure that the individual has the necessary insurance coverage. This helps you avoid lawsuits resulting from the contractor's actions, and it also prevents you from suffering financial burdens for any damage to your property and injury or death during construction work.

According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, a total of 309 fatal work injuries occurred in Florida in 2019, and the construction industry had the highest occurrences with 91 cases. While the chances of the occurrence of fatal work injuries are high in the construction industry, residents of Jacksonville can protect themselves from being held responsible for the medical bills of injured persons by ensuring that the contractor is covered by insurance.

The Florida Division of Workers Compensation Compliance maintains a list of contractors that have active and current workers' compensation and employers' liability insurance. You can verify your plumber's insurance coverage using the Florida Division of Workers Compensation Compliance's proof of coverage database or by calling (850) 488 - 2333.

How to File a Complaint Against a Bad Plumber in Jacksonville

Home improvement can be very expensive. According to a report published by Harvard University, residents of Jacksonville and other cities in Florida spend over $11 billion on home improvement projects annually. While home improvement work can be very urgent, residents of Jacksonville must understand that they can lose hundreds of thousands of dollars to unlicensed contractors and unscrupulous individuals posing as contractors. Note that you can also lose your money to dishonest licensed contractors looking for unsuspecting victims to defraud.

In April 2021, a contractor was arrested on a single count of home repair fraud exceeding $1,000. The contractor was charged with misrepresenting material facts relating to the performance of a contract. This included failing to show up to initiate the expected work on the specified project commencement date.

Like other home improvement scams, plumbing scams can come in different forms. These include receiving upfront payment and not showing up to do the job, increasing estimates for the job after starting the work, requesting cash payment only, and doing shoddy work that will require another repair in the near future.

Another common plumbing scam involves a plumber convincing you that you are getting the best when, in reality, they are installing low-quality products. While plumbing scams are often targeted at older residents of Jacksonville, you must understand that anyone can be a victim of a home improvement scam. The only way to avoid falling victim to these scams is by being aware and educated about home improvement scams. You can avoid falling victim to Jacksonville plumbing scams by taking the following steps:

  • Request proof of the plumber's license and verify the information using the DBPR's licensee search tool.
  • Be wary of door-to-door solicitors.
  • Get work estimates from two to three plumbers and ask each one to justify their bids by listing the work and materials that are included.
  • Request at least three references from your plumber before signing any agreement, and do not hesitate to consider another plumber if they fail to provide these references.
  • Use third-party websites like Better Business Bureau, Yelp, and Google Review to find a legitimate and licensed plumber near you.
  • Always request a written contract for your project and ensure that it is detailed enough to include the type, quality, and cost of materials used for your project.
  • Do not agree to a cash-only plumbing deal, and avoid making full payment for your project until you are sure that the job was satisfactorily completed.

You can report Jacksonville plumbing scams to the city's Office of Consumer Affairs online or by calling (904) 630 - 2489 to speak with a consumer affairs investigator. Note that reporting a matter to Jacksonville's Office of Consumer Affairs does not guarantee that you will recover what was lost to the business. If you wish to be paid the total amount of money you lost to the business, you can take civil action against the business. If the claim is valued at less than $8,000, the appropriate court is usually the Duval County Small Claim Court.