Get Quotes from Top Plumbers in Indianapolis, IN

Are You Licensed to Practice as a Plumber in Indianapolis?

Under the Indiana Code § 25-28.5-1-1, plumbers are required to establish competency and qualifications before engaging in plumbing work, and it is unlawful for any plumber to carry out plumbing work without obtaining a license. However, when you hire an unlicensed contractor, you could be responsible for any injuries or personal damage, and you might also find yourself liable for costly repairs if the person hired fails to do a good job. This is because you might be unable to enforce the terms of the contract. For a plumber to be qualified to carry out contracts in Indianapolis, that individual must obtain a license from the Indiana Professional Licensing Agency (IPLA) and must register that license with Indianapolis through its Department of Business and Neighborhood Services.

Plumbing licenses in Indianapolis are typically issued to persons who are at least 18 years of age, and the IPLA issues licenses to apprentice plumbers, journeyman plumbers, plumbing contractors, plumbing corporations, and plumbing apprentice schools. For a plumbing apprentice license, in addition to the age requirement, plumbers will need to complete an application, pay an application fee of $10, and also provide the approved signature of a school sponsor and the license number and name of a supervising journeyman plumber or plumbing contractor.

Journeyman plumbers will need to complete an application, pay a fee of $30, and also provide the signature and an active or current plumbing license number of a sponsor. For plumbing contractors, the application fee is $50, and there must be the signature of a sponsor from an apprenticeship school alongside this sponsor's current or active plumbing license number. Plumbing license applications can be made online through the MyLicense.IN.gov portal maintained by the Indiana Licensing Enterprise for this purpose.

You can utilize the Search & Verify portal maintained by the Indiana Professional Licensing Agency to verify if a plumber you intend to hire is duly licensed by the state. To find out if the plumber is registered within the city, you can call the Department of Business and Neighborhood Services at (317)327-8700.

How Much Do You Charge Compared to Plumbers in Indianapolis?

The cost of hiring a plumber in Indianapolis will often vary depending on the type of work you want the plumber to do for you. Other factors that influence the cost of service are the cost of materials, type of materials, and even, in some instances, the cost of obtaining the required permits for your project.

A plumber in Indianapolis earns an annual average wage of $54,000. Below is a breakdown of the average hourly wages for plumbers in Indianapolis compared with plumbers in other parts of Indiana and other major cities in the country:

Do You Comply with the Indianapolis Building Code for Plumbing?

When you hire a plumber, it is important to make sure that this plumber is familiar with the city's building code and can obtain the necessary permits where necessary and avoid any penalties. The Indianapolis Building Code governs the installation, repair, maintenance, and other necessary plumbing activities on plumbing systems in the city. This code stipulates the kind of materials to be used for your plumbing work, the appropriate regulatory authorities, and the necessary permits, permit fees, and inspection requirements.

A good way to make sure that work done on your property complies with the city's building code is to hire licensed plumbers. This is because licensed plumbers are expected to show understanding and mastery of the city's building code as part of their licensing requirements, and these individuals generally ensure that they work in compliance with this code. For inquiries regarding the city's building code, you can contact the Indianapolis Planning Department at (317) 894-6202.

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

In Indianapolis, a plumbing permit is usually required for any plumbing work to be undertaken within the city. There are, however, some exemptions, and these include the following types of plumbing work:

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

If you want to carry out a plumbing activity that is not listed above, a permit must be obtained from the Indianapolis Department of Business and Neighborhood Services. You can obtain a permit by completing a Plumbing Permit Application, which can be submitted via fax to (317) 327-5174 or sent by mail to:

If you have any queries concerning the process of obtaining a permit or any general questions on permits, you can visit the Department in person on weekdays between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. or call the Department at (317) 327-8700. Note that before you can obtain a plumbing permit, you will need to also obtain a building permit from the Indianapolis Department of Building and Neighborhood Services and provide the building permit number on the plumbing permit form. After you complete the project, you will need to request an inspection from the Department of Building and Neighborhood Services, and you will be required to provide your building permit number when doing this.

What Kind of Plumbing Services Do You Offer?

There are a variety of services that plumbers in Indianapolis offer, ranging from unclogging drains and toilets to fixing faulty piping, installing new piping in old and new buildings, and even sewer line installations. You should make sure that any plumber you hire is adequately qualified to handle the challenge you have.

Certain plumbing challenges might prove too much for an apprentice plumber, while other repairs might be better attended to by the less qualified apprentice plumber. For example, an apprentice plumber can easily attend to clogged drains and fix minor leaks. However, more serious projects like the installation of a new plumbing system or plumbing remodeling are better handled by more experienced plumbers.

Some common estimates for plumbing services in Indianapolis include:

Do You Offer Emergency Plumbing Services in Indianapolis?

There are many reasons why you might need the services of a plumber. Oftentimes, these problems require immediate action. For example, you might have a flooded basement or leaky faucets, which could be a health and safety hazard and also cost you loads of money if you don't attend to them quickly. On average, residents of Indianapolis pay $109 per month for water, and you might find yourself faced with a bill that is more than double or triple that as a result of a leaky faucet.

When you are trying to find a plumber to attend to your plumbing emergency, it is important that you clarify that such a plumber can handle the specific emergency that you have. Aside from the capacity of the plumber to handle your issue, you should also try to hire plumbers who know the terrain and can get to you in the shortest possible time. You can find licensed and qualified plumbers in Indianapolis by checking the List of Licensed Plumbers provided by the Indianapolis Department of Business and Neighborhood Services or through third-party sites like the Better Business Bureau.

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

Under the Indianapolis Building Standards and Procedures, contractors in Indianapolis, including plumbers, are required to have the necessary general liability insurance coverage of no less than $10,000, a workman's compensation coverage or waiver, and an active surety bond before accepting a job and executing it. You can call the Indianapolis Department of Business and Neighborhood Services at (317) 327-8700 for more information on insurance requirements.

Hiring a plumber who has the right insurance coverage is necessary so that you do not end up paying for any accidents or unforeseen workplace mishaps that might occur while your project is being executed. Insurance helps protect you as the homeowner and the professional you hire. In 2019, there were 146 workplace fatalities in the State of Indiana, and 20 of these fatalities were construction-related. Hiring an uninsured plumber could also make you liable for any medical bills or other necessary health arrangements following a work-related injury.