Get Quotes from Top Plumbers in Anaheim, CA

Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Plumber in Anaheim

Whether installing new plumbing or fixing leakages in the house, it is essential to hire a qualified plumber to handle the works. Poor plumbing may let a damage go undetected for a long time, adding more dollar to your utility bill. With residents of the Anaheim paying over $10 per 100 cubic feet of water used and an average household leaks accounting for more than 10,000 gallons of water loss every year, that may translate into hundreds of dollars loss. While good plumbers in the city will be able to save you this loss, they are also licensed, insured, and conversant with the Anaheim plumbing code. To determine the best plumber to handle your plumbing issues, ask the following questions:

Are You Licensed to Practice as a Plumber in Anaheim?

The first step to determining that your plumber is right for the job is to confirm that this professional has been licensed by the appropriate regulatory authority. In Anaheim, this authority is the California Contractors State License Board (CSLB), and it issues several classes of plumbing-related licenses. These include the C-4 - Boiler, Hot Water Heating, and Steam Fitting Contractor and the C-36 - Plumbing Contractor licenses. These licenses are typically only issued to applicants who meet certain qualifications, which include:

  • Being no younger than 18 years of age
  • Submitting acceptable documentation that verifies their work experience. This experience must be a minimum of four years completed no later than 10 years before the license application is made and must have been attained at the journeyman level of the license classification being applied for
  • Completing and submitting an Application for Original Contractor License Form, the stipulated application fees, and any other applicable documents that may be required by the CSLB

Applicants who meet these qualifications will be provided a venue and date for a licensing examination. While this examination typically consists of a business and trade portion, the trade portion may be waived for applicants from Arizona and Nevada who meet the CSLB's license reciprocity requirements. Once the licensing examination has been conducted, successful applicants are issued the requested plumbing-related licenses.

It is important to note that possessing a CSLB-issued license is mandatory for any plumber in Anaheim who wishes to work on projects with a total value of $500 and above. Working on these projects without an appropriate license is considered a misdemeanor and is punishable by potential statutory and administrative fines of up to $15,000, jail time of up to six months, or a combination of fines and jail time.

You can confirm the current license status of your preferred plumbers in Anaheim by using the CSLB's online license search portal. You can also contact the CSLB via phone number (800) 321-2752 to make licensing-related inquiries.

How Much Do You Charge Compared to Plumbers in Anaheim?

The United States Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that plumbers in Anaheim earn a mean hourly wage of approximately $29. Nonetheless, these plumbers typically consider certain factors before charging for their services, such as the nature and complexity of the plumbing job and the cost of materials needed to complete the job satisfactorily. The plumber's experience and skillset may also be a contributory factor to their rates, as more experienced and reputable plumbers typically charge higher rates than apprentice plumbers. Before hiring any plumber, you should consider getting quotes from several plumbers near you to enable you to compare rates and get a fair estimate of the cost of your required plumbing service in your locality.

Plumber in Anaheim earns an annual average wage of $60,410. Below is a breakdown of the average hourly wages for plumbers in Anaheim compared with plumbers in other parts of California and other major cities in the country:

Anaheim Plumber's Hourly Average Wage
$29
California Plumber's Hourly Average Wage
$33.21
Oakland Plumber's Hourly Average Wage
$51.01
Atlanta Plumber's Hourly Average Wage
$26.53
New York City Plumber's Hourly Average Wage
$35.78
Detroit Plumber's Hourly Average Wage
$33.24
Houston Plumber's Hourly Average Wage
$26.71
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Do You Comply with the Anaheim Building Code for Plumbing?

When searching for plumbers near you, hiring one familiar with the provisions of the city's plumbing code is necessary to ensure a successful outcome for your plumbing project. Title 15 of the Anaheim Municipal Code regulates all building and construction-related matters in the city. Section 15.03.070, which is an amended version of the California Plumbing Code, specifically applies to plumbing work carried out in Anaheim. The provisions of this code apply to all plumbing systems in the city, including appliances, equipment, fittings, fixtures, and appurtenances, and it regulates the installation, alteration, repair, or replacement of these systems.

By making sure that you work with plumbers who comply with this code, you ensure not only your safety but also that of other residents of Anaheim concerning their use and interaction with plumbing systems across the city. As such, Anaheim strictly enforces its plumbing code, and violations of any provisions of this code can result in citations and any other civil or criminal penalties that may be deemed appropriate by authorized city officials.

Duly licensed plumbers are generally familiar with the provisions of the city's plumbing code, which is one of the key reasons you should always hire one when you have a plumbing-related matter. It is also a good idea to get information on the specifics of the plumbing code as it relates to your plumbing project. You can do this by contacting the Building or Code Enforcement Divisions of the Anaheim Planning and Building Department at (714)765-5153 or (714)765-5158, respectively.

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

Per the provisions of the Anaheim Municipal Code, a permit is required for any work that involves the construction, alteration, repair, improvement, removal, conversion, or demolishing of any structure in the city. Note that permit exemptions may be made for certain minor plumbing works in line with the California Plumbing Code, which Anaheim adopts. In many cases, these usually involve plumbing work that does not require removing, replacing, or rearranging pipes, valves, or any other concealed parts of a plumbing system.

Parties that wish to obtain permits for their plumbing projects will typically be required to complete a Building Permit Application Form and submit this form to the Anaheim Planning and Building Department at:

City Hall
200 S Anaheim Boulevard
1st Floor
Anaheim, CA 92805
Hours: 8:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m., Mondays to Fridays

Note that the payment of permit fees is usually required when submitting this application. In addition, applicants may be required to submit plan checks before the requested permits can be issued and also schedule inspections once these permits have been obtained. Queries related to the Anaheim permitting and inspection process can be directed to the Building Division of the city's Planning and Building Department by calling (714)765-5153 between the hours of 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., Mondays to Fridays.

What Kind of Plumbing Services Do You Offer?

While plumbers in Anaheim generally offer a wide range of services, these services can broadly be grouped into two categories: plumbing repairs and installations. Examples of the former include faucet replacements, drain clog clearing, and toilet repairs or replacements, while examples of the latter include bathtub and septic tank installations.

Nevertheless, whether you have leaky pipes, malfunctioning faucets, clogged toilets, or require the installation of a plumbing system, you should always confirm that your preferred plumber is skilled in your specific area of need. Once you do this, it is also a good idea to get an estimate of the expected cost of the plumbing service. Cost estimates for some standard plumbing services readily offered by licensed plumbers in Anaheim are provided below:

Residential plumbing services (per hour)
$91 - $103
Commercial plumbing services (per hour)
$122 - $131
Plumbing for remodeling or home addition
$2,000 - $6,960 
Faucets, fixtures, and pipes installation or repair
$60 - $100
Clearing drain clogs or blockages
$151 - $185
Drain line video inspection
$312 - $367
Toilet installation or replacement
$191 - $206
Bathtub installation
$1,500 - $3,000
Septic system installation
$9,190 - $10,915
Septic tank cleaning or pumping
$340 - $400 
Sewer line cleaning
$210 - $335
Sewer line installation and repair (per linear foot)
$75 - $97
Sump pump installation
$1065 - $1,530
Swamp cooler installation
$2,910 - $3,120 
Water main installation or repair (per linear foot)
$40 - $66
Well pump installation
$950 - $1,130 

Do You Offer Emergency Plumbing Services in Anaheim?

Household leaks are estimated to add an extra 10% to water bills in the United States. With residents of Anaheim paying various water utility rate fees, including general water service charges of at least $10.40 monthly, every plumbing issue involving water leaks should generally be treated with urgency. With that said, some plumbing repair issues typically have to be attended to quicker and more expertly than others. This is because these matters can result in heavy financial expenses and pose health risks if left unattended. Examples of these include burst pipes, which can lead to flooded basements and expensive property damage, and clogged or overflowing toilets, which can expose residents of your home to harmful microorganisms.

In situations where these plumbing issues happen outside regular work hours, it is advisable to retain the services of 24-hour plumbers near you who are qualified and equipped to tackle your unique plumbing problem. You can find these types of plumbers online via reputable third-party websites like Better Business Bureau. The CSLB also maintains a Find My Licensed Contractor webpage that you can use to get information on qualified 24-hour plumbers near you by carrying out location-based searches. It is important to note that you should always verify the licensing status of any plumbers that you intend to hire in Anaheim.

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

Plumbers in Anaheim are not legally required to carry general liability insurance. However, hiring an insured plumber covers the cost of any damages or injuries that may occur during your plumbing job, thereby protecting you from the financial liabilities typically associated with these events. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, a total of 5,333 fatal work-related fatalities were recorded in the United States in 2019, with more than 450 of these fatalities occurring in the State of California. As such, it is always in your best interest to make sure that your preferred plumber is insured and to also find out the extent of this plumber's insurance coverage. You can do this by requesting proof of insurance from the plumber and contacting the insurance provider to authenticate the information.

Note that even though plumbers in Anaheim are not legally required to carry general liability insurance, they are required to tell you whether or not they do so. In addition, these plumbers must meet bonding requirements, including maintaining a surety bond of at least $15,000 and also carry mandatory workers' compensation insurance if they have employees.

How to File a Complaint Against a Bad Plumber in Anaheim

You should always be on the lookout for possible scammers when searching for plumbers near you. A common technique utilized by these scammers in Anaheim includes posing as utility workers, requesting payment for unscheduled inspections or unneeded plumbing repairs, and threatening to cut off your water supply if this payment is not made.

Another common scam includes bidding for projects that they are unqualified to execute, requesting full payment before starting the job, and leaving the work incomplete and shoddily done. In August 2018, the CSLB's Statewide Investigative Fraud Team, the Anaheim Attorney's Office, and the Anaheim Police Department conducted a joint operation around the city's Convention Center that netted 13 fraudulent contractors in the area. You should take note of the following tips to avoid falling victim to a plumbing scam, or any other type of contractor-related scam, in Anaheim:

  • Only hire duly licensed plumbers. You can confirm the licenses of your preferred plumbers online or by calling (800) 321-2752.
  • Always remember that the Anaheim Public Utilities Department does not make unsolicited visits or calls asking for immediate payment. If any individual does this, you should contact the department immediately at (714) 765-3300
  • Get at least three bids from plumbers before selecting one
  • Request no less than three references from any plumber that you intend to employ and contact these references to review the plumber's past work
  • Make sure that you are given a written contract for the project that contains all your expectations for this project
  • Never sign any contracts that you do not fully understand. You can also consider getting an attorney to help you review contracts before signing them
  • Always verify the insurance and bonding status of your preferred plumber
  • Do not make a down payment that is more than 10% of the total value of your project or $1,000, whichever value is less
  • Avoid cash payments
  • Consider scheduling payments in accordance with the level of work done and avoid letting payments get ahead of the work.
  • Keep all documents relating to your project.
  • Do not make the final payment for the project until you are satisfied with the job that was done

You can report matters related to plumbing and contractor-related scams, either by filing a complaint with the CSLB or by mailing a Consumer Complaint Form to the Office of the Orange County District Attorney's Consumer Protection Unit at:

300 N. Flower Street
P.O. Box 808
Santa Ana, CA 92701

This consumer complaint form can also be submitted via email. If the resolution provided by either of these offices is not to your satisfaction, you can take further action by filing a private lawsuit against the plumber. Note that you should always get proper legal advice before doing this. You can get referrals to qualified lawyers in Anaheim by contacting the Orange County Bar Association's Lawyer Referral Service at (949) 440-6747, (877) 257-4762, or online.