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Are You Licensed to Practice as a Plumber in Miami?

In Miami, plumbers are required to obtain a license from the state's Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR), and you can verify a plumber's license status with the DBPR using the department's licensee search tool. Executing a plumbing project without a plumbing license typically leads to the issuance of a cease and desist order and a possible administrative fine of $5,000 for both the unlicensed plumber and the property owner who engages this plumber.

There are two categories of plumbing licenses issued to eligible plumbers in the city by the DBPR. The DBPR issues both the certified plumber license and the registered plumber license. While certified plumbers are issued a certificate of competency that makes them eligible to work in any jurisdiction in the state, registered plumbers can only work in the jurisdiction for which the license is issued. To obtain a certified plumbing license in Miami, applicants need to be at least 18 years of age and must have at least four years of plumbing experience or college education. In addition to this, applicants must pass a state examination and provide proof of insurance coverage.

To obtain a registered plumber license, applicants also need to be at least 18 and must provide proof of financial stability and current insurance coverage. Queries concerning the processes and requirements for obtaining a plumbing license can be directed to the DBPR's Customer Contact Center at (850) 487- 1395.

In addition to state-issued licenses, plumbing contractors in Miami are also required to obtain a license from the Contractor Licensing Section of Miami-Dade County's Department of Regulatory and Economic Resources. The department issues three types of plumbing contractor licenses, and they include master's plumbing license, journeyman plumber license, and lawn sprinkler license. All queries concerning the processes and requirements for obtaining a plumbing license can be directed to the department by calling (305) 375 - 2877. You can also verify a plumber's license status using the Contractor Licensing Section of Miami-Dade County's Department of Regulatory and Economic Resources contractor search tool.

Finally, plumbing contractors in Miami are also required to register with the city's Building Department, and you can verify if your plumber is registered by calling (305) 416 - 1180. Before hiring a plumber in Miami, it is always important to ask the individual for proof of licensure.

How Much Do You Charge Compared to Plumbers in Miami?

In Miami, a plumber's hourly rate is generally determined by the nature of the work, the cost of materials, and the plumber's experience and local reputation. While the aforementioned factors can help you calculate a plumber's hourly charge, it does not mean that each plumber will charge the same price for similar work. Accordingly, it is always good to get multiple estimates from at least three plumbers. You should also ensure that each individual justifies their bid by clarifying the amount of work to be done and the cost of materials required to complete the job.

A plumber in Miami earns an annual average wage of $47,140. Listed below is a breakdown of the Average hourly wages for plumbers in Miami compared with plumbers in other parts of Miami and other major cities in the country:

Do You Comply with the Miami Building Code for Plumbing?

Miami regulates all plumbing activities by adopting the Miami-Dade County Building Code. The Code, which covers several construction work areas, including plumbing, electrical, and HVAC installation, was established to guarantee the lives and property of residents of Miami-Dade County. According to the Miami-Dade County Building Code, all plumbing work shall be done by licensed plumbers only. The Code also requires licensed plumbers to obtain a plumbing permit for most jobs involving water heaters, sanitary drainage, vents, water supply, and fixtures.

Hiring a plumber who is familiar with the city's Building Code can help you avoid the aforementioned fines by ensuring that you do not violate any of the Codes. For example, performing plumbing work without a permit is punishable by a fine of $500 for the first offense, $1,000 for a second offense, $2,000 for the third offense, and $5,000 for each subsequent offense. The Miami Building Department is responsible for enforcing the rules and regulations contained in the Miami-Dade County Building Code. All queries concerning the Building Code can be directed to the Miami Building Department by calling (305) 416 - 1100.

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

In Miami, a plumbing permit is required to perform the installation, alteration, modification, repair, and extension of most plumbing systems in Miami. However, Per Section 105-2 of the Florida Building Code, minor repairs such as replacement of faucets, stopping of leaks, clearing of stoppages, and replacement of shut-off valves on a domestic water line do not require a plumbing permit provided that the work is done by a plumber that has obtained a certificate of competency from the DBPR. Before starting plumbing work in Miami, it is always good to ensure that your plumber has obtained the necessary plumbing permits for the job. Obtaining a plumbing permit helps you avoid a variety of financial liabilities, including fines. Note that carrying out home improvement work in Miami without obtaining the necessary permits is punishable by a fine of up to $500.

The Miami Building Department is responsible for issuing permits for all plumbing works within the city. Plumbing permits are regarded as a type of trade permit in Miami, and they are issued to licensed plumbers only. While you may obtain a building permit as a homeowner, note that plumbing permits are issued as separate permits, and you can not apply for this permit without the help of a licensed plumber or master contractor. Depending on the nature of the plumbing project, you may hire a licensed engineer or architect to submit the necessary plans and documents for the job. Once these plans have been approved and the necessary fees have been paid, your plumber can then apply for a permit. Submission of building plans and applications for permits are done online via the iBuild portal maintained by the city's Building Department. Note that you are required to create a user account to access the portal.

In addition to the issuance of permits, the city's Building Department also carries out mandatory inspections on plumbing works that require permits in the city. These inspections include but are not limited to, rough piping inspections, underground piping inspections, and piping tests. Note that you do not need inspections until your permit has been approved and construction is complete. You can request plumbing inspections online via the iBuild portal or by calling (305) 416 - 1100. Note that you will need to create a user account to be able to submit requests for inspections on the portal.

What Kind of Plumbing Services Do You Offer?

Professional plumbers in Miami offer a wide variety of plumbing services, such as fixing leaks, installation of toilets, interception and separation of manholes, piping installation, and replacement of faulty fixtures. Before hiring a plumber near you, it is always important to confirm that the individual is competent enough to do the job. For example, while a journeyman plumber can perform simple repairs like fixing leaks, you need a master plumber to carry out major plumbing repairs like sanitary sewer repairs.

Listed below are common cost estimates for plumbing services in Miami:

Do You Offer Emergency Plumbing Services in Miami?

Plumbing emergencies are plumbing issues that require immediate attention. Common plumbing issues that require immediate attention include dripping faucets, faulty sump pumps, faulty pipes, and clogged toilets. Residents of Miami must understand that plumbing emergencies, especially water leaks and burst pipes, can result in a high water bill. According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency, fixing a household leak properly can save homeowners up to 10 percent on their water bill.

When considering hiring a plumber for emergency plumbing services, it is important to confirm that the individual is licensed and qualified to handle the problem. You may also need to confirm if the individual resides in your city and if they are familiar with the city's building code. Hiring a plumber in the same city helps you avoid delays in fixing your plumbing problem. You can find licensed and qualified plumbers near you using third-party websites such as Better Business Bureau, Google Review, and Yelp. Reviews posted on these websites are usually free from bias, and they can help you make the right decision when hiring a plumber near you. However, it is still important to confirm whether the individual you intend to hire is licensed. You can confirm a plumber's license status using the DBPR's licensee search tool.

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

When considering hiring a plumber near you, it is always a good idea to find out if the individual has active insurance coverage. Hiring a plumber with insurance coverage protects you from the financial burdens that may arise as a result of injury, death, and damages at your work site. In a report published by the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, the State of Florida had a total of 309 fatal work injuries in 2019, and the construction industry had the highest occurrences with 91 cases. While fatal work injuries can not be eliminated, you can minimize the financial burdens that accompany them by hiring a contractor that has insurance coverage.

Per Section 10-19 of the Miami-Dade County Contractor Code, all contractors holding a certificate of competency in Miami are required to maintain public liability insurance with limits of liability not less than $300,000 per occurrence for bodily injury and $50,000 per occurrence for property damage. You can verify if your plumber has active insurance coverage by requesting an insurance certificate and calling the insurance company to verify the information. In addition to liability insurance, Miami contractors are also required to obtain a workers' compensation certificate from the Florida Division of Workers Compensation. The division maintains a list of contractors that have active workers' compensation, and you can verify your plumber's status using the division's insurance coverage database or by calling (850) 488 - 2333.