Get Quotes from Top Plumbers in Fort Wayne, IN

Are You Licensed to Practice as a Plumber in Fort Wayne?

Plumbers in Fort Wayne are regulated by the Indiana Plumbing Commission, which is one of the various boards under the Indiana Professional Licensing Agency (IPLA). These plumbers must possess a valid license from the commission before providing any service to members of the public. However, per Indiana Code § 25-28.5-1-1, licensing exceptions are made for the following types of plumbing services:

• The first connection or reconnection of plumbing in a mobile home that has not been placed on a permanent foundation and is located in a mobile home park that has been licensed by the Indiana State Department of Health
• The replacement of a water heater with one that has the same specifications and output.
• The replacement of not more than 20% of pipping in an area with a material that has the same specifications and same capacity as the piping being replaced
• The replacement of valves, appliance traps, and other fixtures in a plumbing system

The State of Indiana issues licenses to apprentice plumbers, journeyman plumbers, and plumbing contractors. The specific requirements for obtaining these licenses vary depending on the type of license being applied for, but they generally involve the applicants being at least 18 years old, completing an appropriate application form, and paying a stipulated fee. The application forms must include the signature of an approved school sponsor as well as the name and license number of a supervising or sponsor journeyman plumber or plumbing contractor, where applicable.

Note that apprentice plumber applicants are also required to provide a Bureau of Apprenticeship training agreement from the Indiana Department of Labor. Plumbing apprentices are also required to spend at least four years after obtaining an apprentice license before qualifying to be a journeyman plumber.

You can verify the license of any plumber you intend to hire in Fort Wayne by visiting the Search & Verify portal provided by the IPLA for this purpose. Also, all state-licensed plumbers who wish to work in Fort Wayne must register their licenses with the Allen County Building Department. Similarly, plumbers in the city who want to engage in any plumbing activity that is not covered by the Indiana State Plumbing Code must obtain a locally issued license from the Allen County Building Department before doing so. Some of the activities which will require registration include:

• Compressed air systems
• Gas piping systems
• Above/ground tanks for fuel
• Underground tanks for fuel
• Lawn sprinkler system
• Low-pressure hot water and steam heating boilers, high-pressure steam boilers, and other heating equipment, including solar
• Fire Sprinkler system
• Refrigerant systems that are capable of maintaining a constant temperature below 60 degrees Fahrenheit in the structure
• Temperature controls
• Storm drainage
• Hydraulic systems

Hiring a plumber without a license could result in you bearing the cost for any unplanned damages or accidents that occur during the execution of your repairs or home improvements and so it is vital that you only secure the services of licensed plumbers. You can verify the local-level registration and license of plumbers in Fort Wayne by calling the Allen County Building Department at (260) 449-7598.

How Much Do You Charge Compared to Plumbers in Fort Wayne?

After deciding on a preferred plumber in Fort Wayne, it is important that you crosscheck the prices that have been quoted against other price estimates for the same job that you want to do. Generally, the cost of your repair will vary, depending on the type of work to be done, the cost of materials, and the amount of time that is to be spent on a particular project.

A plumber in Fort Wayne earns an annual average wage of $57,810. Below is a breakdown of the Average hourly wages for plumbers in Fort Wayne compared with plumbers in other parts of Indiana and other major cities in the country:

Do You Comply with the Fort Wayne Building Code for Plumbing?

The Allen County Building Department's Rules and Regulations provide guidelines on the installation, alteration, repair, addition, construction, and maintenance of the public water and plumbing systems, as well as private plumbing installations in Fort Wayne. These regulations were put in place to ensure the safety of the city's residents, preserve the sanctity of the city's water system, and ensure that the individuals who work on these systems are duly qualified.

Hiring a licensed plumber is necessary because it provides you with a measure of confidence that the plumber will be conversant with the city's building regulations and will not fall foul of them, thereby preventing unwarranted penalties and fines. However, you should always confirm with the plumber you hire that they are aware of the city's Rules and Regulations and adhere to them. You can contact the Allen County Building Department at (260) 449-7131 for queries regarding its rules and regulations as they relate to your intended plumbing project.

Will You Get the Plumbing Permits as Required by the Fort Wayne Code?

In compliance with the Allen County Building Rules and Regulations, permits must be obtained from the Allen County Building Department before carrying out any plumbing work in Fort Wayne. These permits are to be obtained by a person who has been duly licensed and registered by Allen County, except in situations where the work is to be carried out by an individual owner of a single or two-family dwelling residence. Note that permit exemptions are generally made if the work is to be carried out on agricultural outbuildings.

You can obtain a permit online using the Allen County/ Fort Wayne Citizen Access Portal. Parties that wish to use this portal will be required to create an account and log in before being able to make permit applications, request payments, or schedule inspections. Inspections are normally required after every plumbing repair or installation to confirm that the repairs conform with the City's building rules and regulations. If you are unable to complete the form online, you can download an application form, complete the relevant sections, and send the completed form to the Allen County Building Department at:

If you have any inquiries regarding the permit application process, you can call the Department at (260)449-7131.

What Kind of Plumbing Services Do You Offer?

When hiring a plumber near you, it is important to know what particular services you require and also to make sure that the plumber you hire is competent enough to provide this service. Fort Wayne plumbers have a variety of specialties and areas of expertise. To this end, some plumbers handle only residential issues, some focus on commercial projects, and some plumbers specialize in simple pipeline installations or general repairs and replacements.

The average cost for plumbing services in Fort Wayne falls between $106 - $770. Here are some estimates for plumbing services in Fort Wayne:

Do You Offer Emergency Plumbing Services in Fort Wayne?

Most plumbing issues often require immediate attention and are thus classified as emergencies. In some cases, these plumbing emergencies might not be apparent at first glance. For example, a simple pipe leak could lead to a burst pipe if not attended to properly and immediately, and this, in turn, could result in flooding.

Similarly, having a severely clogged toilet could also be a problem, particularly in situations where you are unable to deal with it on your own. When faced with these situations, you should make sure that the plumber you get is one that can promptly and effectively handle your emergency. Being able to handle your emergency promptly also means that the plumber should be able to find your location quickly. This is important, especially considering the fact that the average water rate in Fort Wayne is $2.17 per 2500 cubic feet, and therefore having unchecked water leakage in your home for just a couple of hours can significantly affect your monthly utility bill.

Hiring licensed plumbers is a good way to assure yourself of the competence of your emergency plumber. You can find licensed and qualified emergency plumbers near you by using services like the Better Business Bureau.

Do You Carry the Necessary Insurance Policy for Plumbers in Fort Wayne?

Although Fort Wayne does not make it mandatory for plumbers to possess insurance, it is important that you hire only plumbers that have adequate liability insurance coverage. Hiring a plumber who does not have insurance could result in you being responsible for any unforeseen accidents or injuries, and you could be forced to pay medical bills for injuries sustained during the plumbing work. Furthermore, if a plumber without insurance causes damage to your house while on the job, you may find yourself totally responsible for the costs of repair.

Generally, plumbers should have general liability insurance cover and property coverage. Plumbers that have employees are also expected to have worker's compensation insurance coverage. Before hiring any plumber, you should make sure that the intended professional has the right insurance coverage. You can do this by requesting a copy of the plumber's insurance certificate and verifying it by contacting the insurance provider.