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Are You Licensed to Practice as a Plumber in Charlotte?

The North Carolina Board of Examiners of Plumbing, Heating, and Fire Sprinkler Contractors (BEPHFSC) regulates and issues licenses to plumbers in Charlotte. In addition to obtaining a license from this Board, plumbers who intend to perform plumbing work costing more than $30,000 are mandated to get a general contractor license from the North Carolina Licensing Board for General Contractors. Per the rules of the North Carolina BEPHFSC, plumbers who operate without a proper license will be found guilty of a class 2 misdemeanor, and this attracts a minimum penalty of 60 days of community punishment and a maximum penalty of 60 days in jail with a $1,000 fine.

Plumbing licenses issued by the Board are categorized into different license types with varying scopes. These license types include Class I Plumbers, who can only perform plumbing works within commercial residential, industrial, and institutional buildings, and Class II Plumbers, who can only perform plumbing works on single-family detached residential dwellings. Similarly, licensing requirements for these plumbing licenses vary. For example, requirements for getting a Class I or Class II plumber license include:

• Getting approval from the state to write qualifying exams,
• Passing a Business and Law exam that is to be taken at the same time as the trade exam,
• Possessing at least 4,000 hours or two years of full-time experience. Half of these required hours of experience can be in the form of academic or technical training.

Interested persons can contact the North Carolina Board of Examiners of Plumbing, Heating, and Fire Sprinkler Contractors at (919) 875-3612 for general licensing inquiries.

To verify the license of a plumber you wish to hire, you can utilize the online license verification portal maintained by the North Carolina Board of Examiners of Plumbing, Heating, and Fire Sprinkler Contractors. You can also contact the Board with further inquiries by email or at (919) 875-3612.

How Much Do You Charge Compared to Plumbers in Charlotte?

Plumbing charges in Charlotte depend on several factors, including the kind of plumbing work, the cost of obtaining permits, and the cost associated with procuring materials to be used during the plumbing work. However, before agreeing to a plumber's estimates, you should ensure you compare estimates from three or more other plumbers to ensure that you are paying a fair amount and not getting scammed. Checking these rates with other plumbers would also help you create a feasible budget for your plumbing work.

A plumber in Charlotte earns an annual average wage of $45,460. Below is a breakdown of the average hourly wages for plumbers in Charlotte compared with plumbers in other parts of North Carolina and other major cities in the country:

Do You Comply with the Charlotte Building Code for Plumbing?

Plumbing works to be performed in Charlotte must be done according to the rules stipulated in the North Carolina Plumbing Administration Code. The Code serves as the guideline for plumbing projects, including installations, alterations, revamping, design, relocation, replacement, and maintenance of plumbing systems in the city. These plumbing systems include sewer and vent systems, water supply and gas supply distribution pipes, fixtures, fixture traps, appurtenances, and connections in Charlotte.

The Code also contains the minimum standards for materials to be used for plumbing works within the city. Since the Code has fairly technical terminologies, it is best to hire a licensed plumber familiar with the code to handle your plumbing projects. Failure to comply with the Plumbing Administration Code during your project also attracts varying penalties determined and enforced by the CLT Development Center. You can contact this Center at (704) 336-6692 with questions about the Plumbing Administration Code and assistance with complying with this Code.

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

The CLT Development Center is responsible for issuing permits for the installation, extension, alteration, or general repair of plumbing systems in Charlotte. According to the North Carolina Administrative Code, the only plumbing work that does not require obtaining a plumbing permit is the replacement of a water heater in a one or two-family dwelling. While the CLT Development Center strives to treat plumbing permit applications urgently, the time taken to process plumbing permit applications depends on several factors, including whether the relevant plumbing work requires the submission of plans or preliminary inspections. To get a plumbing work permit, contact the Charlotte City Land Development at (704) 336-6692. This Department also receives permit-related inquiries via the above-mentioned phone number and in person at:

What Kind of Plumbing Services Do You Offer?

The North Carolina Board of Examiners of Plumbing, Heating, and Fire Sprinkler Contractors licenses plumbers across multiple categories, including Class I, Class II, and Restricted License Plumbers. Each license type has a permissible scope of work. Thus, it is essential that you cross-check the license category of the plumber you wish to hire to ensure that they possess the right expertise and can legally handle your plumbing project.

However, note that a plumber's license category and expertise typically determine their charge rate. Nonetheless, below are the average rates for some common plumbing services in Charlotte:

Do You Offer Emergency Plumbing Services in Charlotte?

Household leaks result in the waste of more than 1 trillion gallons of water across households nationwide. This wastage is equivalent to the annual water usage of more than 11 million homes. With plumbing problems leading to water wastage and potentially increasing your monthly water bills, it is essential to treat any noticeable plumbing problem in your home as an emergency situation. Quickly fixing such plumbing problems keeps your home plumbing system in proper working condition and can help you save up to 10% on monthly water bills.

Websites like Yelp or Better Business Bureau, as well as referrals from friends and family, can help with finding plumbers nearest to your location to address any plumbing problems you may be experiencing quickly. However, remember to verify the license of any plumber you intend to hire. You can do this by utilizing the online license verification portal maintained by the North Carolina Board of Examiners of Plumbing, Heating, and Fire Sprinkler Contractors.

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

The State of North Carolina mandates that all businesses employing more than three workers have worker's compensation insurance for all employees. However, besides ensuring your intended plumber has active workers' compensation insurance, also ensure they have active general liability insurance. General liability insurance is essential, as it ensures that you are insulated from financial responsibilities related to injuries sustained by anyone during your plumbing project. It is also essential to hire a plumber with a contractor bond. Contractor bonds ensure that the City is duly compensated if a plumber breaks any of the City and State's licensing requirements.

Before hiring a plumber, you can verify the authenticity of their insurance coverage using an Insurance Coverage Search System maintained by the North Carolina Industrial Commission. You can also contact the North Carolina Industrial Commission at (800) 688-8349 with all inquiries regarding insurance and bond requirements for plumbing contractors within the City.