Houston has hundreds of plumbing companies — from large multi-truck operations to one-person handyman services. When you’re dealing with a plumbing problem, you want to make the right choice quickly, without getting burned by an unlicensed contractor or a company that overcharges and underdelivers.
Here’s the checklist Santhoff Plumbing recommends every Houston homeowner use when evaluating a plumber.
1. Verify the Texas Plumbing License
In Texas, plumbers must be licensed by the Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners (TSBPE). There are different license levels — Apprentice, Journeyman, and Master Plumber. Any company performing plumbing work on your home must have a licensed Master Plumber of record overseeing the work.
You can verify any Texas plumber’s license at the TSBPE’s online license lookup tool at pbo.texas.gov. If a plumber can’t or won’t provide their license number, that’s a serious red flag.
2. Confirm They Are Fully Insured
A licensed plumber in Houston should carry:
- General liability insurance — covers damage to your property during the work
- Workers’ compensation insurance — covers injuries to their employees on your property
Ask for certificates of insurance before any work begins. If a plumber is not insured and something goes wrong — a flood, a fire from a gas line mishap, an injured worker — you could be held liable.
3. Check Their Google and Yelp Reviews
Reviews on Google, Yelp, and the BBB are your best window into a plumbing company’s real-world performance. Look for:
- Overall star rating of 4.5+ across at least 50–100 reviews
- Consistent mentions of punctuality, cleanliness, and honest pricing
- How the company responds to negative reviews — professional responses matter
- Recent reviews — a company with great reviews from 5 years ago may have changed significantly
4. Ask About Upfront, Flat Pricing
Reputable Houston plumbers provide an estimate before work begins, not a vague ‘hourly rate’ that can balloon unpredictably. If a plumber won’t give you a price before starting work, or asks you to sign a contract with an undefined ‘time and materials’ rate, consider it a warning sign.
5. Ask How Long They’ve Been in Business in Houston
Houston’s plumbing market has specific challenges: clay soil, hard water, hurricane exposure, and freeze events. A company that has been operating locally for many years has seen these challenges firsthand and knows how to address them. Santhoff Plumbing has served the Houston area since 1974, with over 200 years of combined technician experience.
6. Verify They Pull Permits for Permitted Work
Any plumbing work that requires a permit — new rough-in, water heater replacement, gas line work — should be permitted. If a plumber says you don’t need a permit for permitted work to ‘save money,’ they’re cutting corners that could create liability for you as a homeowner when you sell.
7. Ask About Warranties
Quality plumbing companies stand behind their work. Ask what warranty covers the labor on their repairs. Santhoff Plumbing offers a 2-year warranty on most repairs and extended warranties on water heaters for Santhoff Family Club members.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I check if a Houston plumber is licensed?
Visit pbo.texas.gov to search the Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners license database. You can search by name or company.
What questions should I ask a plumber before hiring them?
Ask: Are you licensed by TSBPE? Can you provide your license number? Are you fully insured? Do you provide a written estimate before work begins? Do you pull permits for permitted work? What warranty do you offer on repairs?
Is Santhoff Plumbing licensed and insured in Houston?
Yes. Santhoff Plumbing holds active Texas Master Plumber licensing and is fully licensed, bonded, and insured. We’ve served the Houston area since 1974 and maintain an A+ BBB rating.
What should I do if a plumber does bad work on my Houston home?
Document everything with photos, request a written explanation of what was done, and contact the Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners to file a complaint against the license holder.