Get Quotes from Top Plumbers in North Las Vegas, NV

Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Plumber in North Las Vegas

Delay in hiring a qualified plumber to help fix that dripping faucet, broken showerhead, faulty toilet, and leaking pipes may end up costing several hundred dollars. Leakages like these are known to account for over 10,000 gallon of water wasted per household in a year. While a good plumber will save you money on these leaks, you will also be doing North Las Vegas one good - conserving water. However, before you settle for any plumber in the city ask the following questions to determine if they are good enough for the job:

Are You Licensed to Practice as a Plumber in North Las Vegas?

The Nevada State Contractors Board (NSCB) handles the licensing and regulation of plumbers in North Las Vegas. Per Chapter 624.190 of the Nevada Administrative Code, plumbers are generally classified as Class C-specialty contractors and must be duly licensed before offering services within the city. Failure to obtain professional licenses is unlawful and considered a misdemeanor for a first-time offense, a gross misdemeanor for a second-time offense, and a Class E felony for a third-time offense. These violations are punishable with the payment of a fine, a jail term, or both.

Plumbing licenses in North Las Vegas are classified as journeymen licenses and master plumber licenses. Interested persons who would like to apply for a journeyman license are required to complete a four-year state-registered apprenticeship program or acquire 8,000 hours of plumbing experience under the supervision of a duly licensed master or journeyman plumber.

To apply for a master plumber license, interested persons are required to have practiced with a journeyman license for at least one year or acquire at least 2,000 hours of practical plumbing experience as a journeyman plumber. Individuals who have satisfied the relevant licensing requirements can then submit a completed license examination form to the NBOPE and follow subsequent licensing processes as directed by this Board. The State of Nevada has no running reciprocity program, which means plumbers from out-of-state must apply for plumbing licenses before operating within North Las Vegas. For more information about plumbing licensing processes and requirements, you can contact the NSCB at (702) 486-1100.

You can verify the licensing status of your intended plumber via the license search tool or the contractor listing search platform provided by the NSCB.

How Much Do You Charge Compared to Plumbers in North Las Vegas?

According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, plumbers in North Las Vegas earn a mean hourly wage of about $29. However, the exact hourly charge of plumbers is determined by various factors, such as the individual plumber's skill set, the cost of materials, and the labor required for the project. Nevertheless, before hiring any plumber in the city, you should get multiple quotes from at least three plumbers to help you find the most suitable one for your needs.

A plumber in North Las Vegas earns an annual average wage of $61,320. Below is a breakdown of the average hourly wages for plumbers in North Las Vegas compared with plumbers in other parts of Nevada and other major cities in the country:

North Las Vegas Plumber's Hourly Average Wage
$29.48
Nevada Plumber's Hourly Average Wage
$30.26
New York City Plumber's Hourly Average Wage
$35.78
Atlanta Plumber's Hourly Average Wage
$26.53
Detroit Plumber's Hourly Average Wage
$33.24
Miami Plumber's Hourly Average Wage
$22.66
San Francisco Plumber's Hourly Average Wage
$51.01
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Do You Comply with the North Las Vegas Building Code for Plumbing?

All plumbing works performed within North Las Vegas must be done according to the Uniform Plumbing Code, which was adopted by North Las Vegas with few amendments. The plumbing code stipulates minimum standards for plumbing projects and ensures the enforcement of public health safety rules relevant to plumbing works across North Las Vegas. The code also regulates the use of plumbing materials during the city's installation, modification, replacement, and repairs of plumbing systems.

Non-adherence to the plumbing code by homeowners attracts civil penalties, which are enforced by the North Las Vegas Code Enforcement Division. These penalties range from a $500 to $1,000 fine, depending on the type of property where the violation occurred and the nature of the offense. Therefore, it is essential for you always to employ the services of plumbers who are conversant with the relevant sections of the plumbing code applicable to your project so you are not penalized for code violations. You can direct your queries regarding any code-related provisions to the city's Code Enforcement Division by contacting (702) 633-1677.

Will You Get the Plumbing Permits as Required by North Las Vegas Code?

The Building and Fire Safety Division of the North Las Vegas Department of Land Development & Community Services (DLDCS) handles permit applications and issues plumbing permits. Generally, plumbing permits are required for new plumbing works, as well as the alteration, modification, repairs, or replacement of existing plumbing systems in the city. However, certain plumbing works do not require plumbing permits, and these include stopping leaks in drains or vent pipes, provided no part of the drains or vent pipes are replaced.

Project owners or duly licensed plumbers can apply for plumbing permits by submitting a completed Plumbing Permit Application form, together with any required plans and specifications, to the Building and Fire Safety Division of the North Las Vegas DLDCS at:

Building and Fire Safety Division
2250 Las Vegas Boulevard North,
Suite 125
North Las Vegas, NV 89030
Phone: (702) 633-1536

Alternatively, applicants can apply for a plumbing permit and submit any required plans online. When submitting a permit online, applicants are required to pay the requisite plumbing permit fees via an online invoice portal to complete the application process. For assistance with applying for a permit and submitting plans, applicants can utilize the information on the online plan submittal and permit resources provided by the DLDCS. Applicants can also direct all queries regarding plumbing permits and plan reviews to the North Las Vegas DLDCS Building and Fire Safety Division at (702) 633-1536 or via email.

Note that once a plumbing permit has been issued and work commences, the project will be subject to inspection by a designated building official. The plumber in charge of the project must notify the city's Building and Fire Safety Division of the project's commencement by requesting an inspection online. Single inspection, multiple inspections, and optional inspections can be requested, and requesters will be required to pick a date and time for these inspections to be carried out. Once the request for inspection has been approved, the plumber must provide the designated building official easy access to inspect the project at all times until the final inspection. If you require assistance with submitting an inspection request, you can utilize the online self-service guide provided by DLDCS or contact the city's Building and Fire Safety Division via email.

What Kind of Plumbing Services Do You Offer?

Plumbers in North Las Vegas offer different services to city residents. Some of these services include assembling, installing, maintaining, and pressure testing plumbing pipes, fittings, and fixtures according to the city's plumbing code specifications. When hiring plumbers in the city, besides verifying their licensing status, you should also confirm that they have the expertise to handle your plumbing work.

However, note that the type of service you hire a plumber for determines their charges. Generally, you can expect to pay between $65 to $75 per hour for residential plumbers and $90 to $100 per hour for the services of commercial plumbers. Listed below are some common plumbing services cost estimates in North Las Vegas:

Toilet installation or replacement
$140 - $155
Fuel tank removal
$1,600 - $1,800
Swamp cooler installation
$2,000 - $2,400
Bathtub installation
$1,700 - $2,200
Fuel tank installation
$2,100 - $2,700
Septic system installation
$6,800 - $8,200
Septic tank cleaning or pumping (per 1,000 gallon tank)
$250 - $300
Water softener installation
$900 - $1,300
Sump pump installation
$750 - $1,135

Do You Offer Emergency Plumbing Services in North Las Vegas?

Plumbing issues like pipe bursts, clogged drains, overflowing toilets, and faulty plumbing fixtures should be treated as emergencies that require urgent fixing. Not only does fixing these issues help you avoid possible water damage to your building, but it can also help you save about 10 percent on your water bills. However, even though it is important to address these plumbing situations within a reasonable time, it is equally essential for you to hire only experienced plumbers for these jobs. This will save you money and equally reduce further damage that may be caused by inexperienced handling of your plumbing system.

You can use third-party websites like Google Reviews, Yelp, and Better Business Bureau to find a professional plumber near you. However, make sure you confirm the licensing status of the plumbers that you contact through these sources. You can confirm a plumber's license by utilizing the license search tool or the contractor listing search platform provided by the Nevada State Contractors Board.

Do You Carry the Necessary Insurance Policy for Plumbers in North Las Vegas?

North Las Vegas does not mandate plumbers operating within its jurisdiction to maintain general liability insurance coverage. However, considering plumbing works are prone to different work hazards like slipping, tripping, and falling, and given that a total of 37,800 nonfatal work-related injuries were recorded nationwide amongst plumbers in 2019, it is essential to engage only plumbers with general liability insurance coverage. General liability insurance typically protects you and your plumbers from financial liabilities resulting from bodily injury or property damage during plumbing work. You can confirm if your plumber is insured by requesting a copy of their insurance certificates.

Note that while plumbers are generally not required to maintain general liability insurance, plumbers with employees are required to maintain an active worker's compensation insurance policy to provide their employees with adequate protection against work-related perils.

How to File a Complaint Against a Bad Plumber in North Las Vegas

When hiring plumbers in North Las Vegas, it is essential to do your due diligence so that you don't employ fraudulent and unscrupulous individuals posing as professional plumbers. According to the Harvard Joint Center for Housing Studies, it is estimated that an average American homeowner spends approximately $2,600 annually on home repair and improvement. Considering how expensive home repairs can be, the need to hire only duly licensed and legitimate plumbers cannot be downplayed. Contracting an unlicensed plumber exposes you to possible scams and poor service delivery.

In protecting residents against unlicensed contractors and scammers, the Nevada State Contractors Board (NSCB) has adopted several investigative and disciplinary measures. For instance, in May 2019, a home repair company faced disciplinary action before the Nevada State Contractors Board for disregarding the state's plumbing code and acting outside the scope of their license. However, residents are advised to take precautionary measures and protect themselves. Accordingly, you can protect yourself by taking the following steps:

  • Hire only licensed plumbers. You can confirm the licensing status of plumbers by utilizing the NSCB license search tool.
  • Check the Nevada State Contractors Board's online Public Disciplinary Actions Search portal to make sure there are no open disciplinary or administrative hearings against your intended plumber.
  • Get estimates from at least three plumbers and also request work references from each plumber.
  • Never pay more than 10% or $1,000, whichever is less, if a project requires a deposit.
  • Always keep records of all documents related to your project. Such documents include payment receipts, written correspondences, and any signed agreements.
  • Request a written contract that includes the job details. Also, make sure you understand the contract before signing it.

Residents of North Las Vegas can file complaints regarding deceptive or fraudulent plumbers with the Nevada State Contractors Board. To do so, you need to download and complete either a licensed contractor complaint form or an unlicensed contractor (criminal) complaint form and send the completed form to the relevant mailing address provided on the application form. In addition to this, you can also file a complaint with the State of Nevada Attorney General's Office by completing an online complaint form or requesting a printable form via email.

Finally, you can sue the fraudulent plumber by filing a civil lawsuit with the North Las Vegas Justice Court. However, before pursuing any legal action, it is best to retain the services of a lawyer who can advise you on your available legal options. You can utilize the lawyer referral services provided by the State Bar of Nevada to find active lawyers near you.