Get Quotes from Top Plumbers in Lubbock, TX

Are You Licensed to Practice as a Plumber in Lubbock?

To operate in Lubbock, plumbers are required to maintain a license issued by the Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners (TSBPE). Failure to adhere to this provision is a misdemeanor offense under the city's Plumbing Code that may attract fines.

The different classifications of plumber licenses in Lubbock include master plumber license, journeyman license, tradesman license, and apprentice registration. Note that a licensed master plumber must be in charge of plumbing work in the City and must supervise the journeyman or other non-master plumbers working underneath him. To become a master plumber, the individual must have acquired a journeyman plumber license for at least four years or one year if the person participated in a training endorsed by the United States Department of Labor Office of Apprenticeship.

Similarly, a journeyman plumbers license requires at least 8,000 hours of experience working under a master plumber. In contrast, a tradesman license application only requires an individual to have 4,000 hours of experience working as a registered apprentice of a master plumber. Finally, to become a plumber apprentice, the individual must be at least 16 years old and must register under the tutelage of a master plumber. Note that in addition to the requirements mentioned above, all license classifications apart from plumber apprentice require the applicant to pass a license examination provided by the TSBPE.

To verify the license status of your plumber, look up the individual's information on the TSBPE Find a License portal.

How Much Do You Charge Compared to Plumbers in Lubbock?

The cost of hiring a plumber in Lubbock is determined by a number of factors, including the amount of labor necessary, the extent of the work, the materials required, permit charges, and the plumber's or plumbing company's size or reputation.

It is a good idea to get quotations from at least three plumbers in your neighborhood before deciding on one. This allows you to compare costs and select the most cost-effective plumber for your project.

A plumber in Lubbock earns an annual average wage of $49,270. Below is a breakdown of the Average hourly wages for plumbers in Lubbock compared with plumbers in other parts of Texas and other major cities in the country:

Do You Comply with Lubbock Building Code for Plumbing?

It is essential that any plumber you hire is well-versed in the city's Plumbing Code specifics and requirements. The Lubbock Plumbing Code makes provision for several aspects of plumbing, including the location of fixtures, pipe materials, size of pipes, drains, vents and supply lines, shut-off valves, the slope for drain pipes, and access panels. This is to ensure the quality and safety of plumbing installations all around the city.

It is also essential to public health, considering that most private plumbing systems are integrated into the city's shared water and sewer systems. A failure to comply with the city's plumbing code can lead to fines, your project not being approved by the inspectors, or the city cutting off your home or facility from the shared water service in extreme situations.

As such, always confirm that your plumber knows the city code requirements. Though holding a license might indicate this, you can also ask for references from the plumber's past clients in the city. To get more information about code violations in Lubbock, contact the city's Building Inspections Department by calling (806) 775-2087.

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

Per Section 717.1.1 of the Lubbock Plumbing Code, a licensed plumber is required to obtain permits for any plumbing work to be performed in the city before commencing such work. Failure to do so is a misdemeanor offense under the code. Plumbing permits may also be issued to homeowners for work to be done by the homeowner or an immediate family member. Nonetheless, some works do not generally require permits in the city. These include stopping leaks and clearing stoppages that do not require the replacement of materials or rearrangement of valves, pipes, or fixtures.

To obtain plumbing, the overarching building permit must have been approved by the Building Inspections Department. The approval process requires the submission of a completed residential construction permit application along with two sets of construction plans for the project to the department's office at

The application for a plumbing permit can be made by calling the permit request line at (806) 775-3158 or by visiting the Building Inspections Department.

Besides issuing permits, the Building Inspections Department also inspects plumbing projects at different stages of completion. This is to certify that the plumbing work is done in line with the city's Plumbing Code. Interested people can schedule an inspection by logging into the city's Citizen Self Service Portal. You can make more inquiries about the permitting process in Lubbock by calling the city's Building Inspection Department at (806) 775-2087

What Kind of Plumbing Services Do You Offer?

The fact that a plumber is licensed does not mean such an individual is experienced in every kind of plumbing. Confirm that any plumber you are hiring is experienced in your type of project. The three major classifications of plumbing are residential, commercial, and repair and service plumbing. Residential plumbers are trained and experienced with plumbing works in single and multi-family dwellings. Meanwhile, commercial plumbers typically do plumbing work in large buildings such as multi-level offices, schools, hospitals, and malls. Each type of plumbing has its own peculiar issues that may require specific knowledge to correct.

Finally, repair and service plumbers usually deal with the maintenance of plumbing systems in both residential and commercial aspects. However, they do not focus on plumbing installations. You can ask for past clients and past works to determine if a plumber has experience in the type of plumbing you require.

Below is the cost range of common plumbing works in Lubbock

Do You Offer Emergency Plumbing Services in Lubbock?

Certain plumbing issues like burst pipes and overflowing toilets constitute emergencies and usually require immediate attention due to the amount of water wasted in the process. However, minor leaks should also be taken seriously and addressed as well. The Environmental Protection Agency estimated that about ten percent of homes have leaks that waste 90 gallons or more per day, and the city's average water bill per 5,000 gallons is $39.80. Therefore, addressing all kinds of leaks in your plumbing system can save you some utility costs in the long run. Nonetheless, the fact that you are facing a plumbing emergency does not mean you should hire just any plumber.

Always ensure that any plumber you hire is licensed. You can confirm licenses by searching the TSBPE Find a License portal. Likewise, it is essential to prioritize competent plumbers around you so that you will be rest assured that the plumber will reach you in time. Utilize sites like Yelp and Better Business Bureau to find qualified plumbers that provide quality emergency services near.

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

You can avoid unexpected financial burdens by hiring an insured plumber in Lubbock. In 2019, the Bureau of Labor Statistics recorded 608 occupational fatal injuries in all of Texas, including Lubbock. Of these numbers, 193 occurred in the construction and maintenance industry. But with a properly insured plumber, costs arising from work injuries during your plumbing project will not be your burden to carry.

The TSBPE requires master plumbers in Lubbock to maintain a general commercial liability insurance coverage of $300,000 for claims per year. This insurance would also cover other plumbers that the master plumber supervises. As such, before hiring any plumber, request their certificate of insurance and confirm the information it contains on the TSBPE portal. You can also contact the plumber's insurance company.