Get Quotes from Top Plumbers in Winston Salem, NC

Are You Licensed to Practice as a Plumber in Winston-Salem?

Plumbers in Winston-Salem are expected to possess a valid license before contracting to carry out any plumbing work in the city, and these licenses are issued by the North Carolina State Board of Examiners of Plumbing, Heating, and Fire Sprinkler Contractors. The state licensing board provides licenses under different categories for plumbers within the city, which are:

• P-I (Plumbing-Class I) Contractor: This license permits the bearer to carry out work on potable water and drain, waste, or vent piping systems in any industrial, commercial, or residential building.
• P-II (Plumbing-Class II) Contractor: This license permits work on potable water and waste, drain, and vent piping systems in single-family detached dwellings only.
• RLP (Restricted Limited Plumbing) Contractor: This license permits work on exterior building sewer piping, exterior water service piping of no more than 2 inches, exterior backflow preventers on piping that is 2 inches or less, and water filtration systems.
• Plumbing Technician: This license is only valid for subcontractors, and it permits work on potable water and drain, waste, or vent piping systems.
• SLGT-P (State; Local Government Technician - Plumbing): This license is only issued to state or local government employees and permits work on potable water and piping of vents, drains, or waste systems.
• PEIT-P (Private Educational Institution Technician - Plumbing): This license is specifically for employees of private educational institutions and permits work on piping systems of drains, vents, and waste, as well as potable water. This license does not allow the holder to bid for and collect contracts.

Note that separate licenses are issued to persons who work on water heaters, air conditioners, and fire sprinklers.

To become a licensed plumber under any of the aforementioned categories, plumbers will be required to meet specific requirements applicable to the license category and sit an examination. These requirements usually include applying for a licensing examination online, successfully passing the exam, and submitting a Licensing Activation Form before obtaining the requested license. Applications for exams may also be made by sending a completed licensing form to the State Board at

You can verify the license of a plumber in Winston-Salem using the Verify License Search portal maintained by the North Carolina State Board of Examiners of Plumbing, Heating, and Fire Sprinkler Contractors for this purpose.

How Much Do You Charge Compared to Plumbers in Winston-Salem?

To ensure that you have the right plumber and pay the right amount to get your plumbing problem fixed, you should make sure that you get estimates from more than one source before deciding. Plumbers in Winston-Salem charge different prices based on a variety of factors. Some of these factors include the cost of materials, the cost of obtaining a permit, the complexity of the problem, and the amount of time required to fix the job.

A plumber in Winston-Salem earns an annual average wage of $60,410. Below is a breakdown of the Average hourly wages for plumbers in Winston-Salem compared with plumbers in other parts of North Carolina and other major cities in the country:

Do You Comply with the Winston-Salem Building Code for Plumbing?

The Winston-Salem Building Code is a set of rules and regulations governing all construction and building-related work, including plumbing work, done within the city. This code is designed to ensure the health, safety, and public welfare of residents of the city. The building code prescribes the requirements for fees, inspections, and permit applications for plumbing within the city. When you hire a plumber, it is important that the plumber you hire is conversant with the city's building code.

A failure to adhere to the city's building code when carrying out repairs or inspections could result in penalties for you and more money spent on rectifying the problem. A good way to ensure that you hire only plumbers who are familiar with the city's building code is to hire properly licensed plumbers. You can contact the Winston-Salem Planning and Development Services Department at (336) 747-7040 for more information regarding the city's building code.

Will You Get the Plumbing Permits as Required by Winston Salem Code?

In compliance with the Winston-Salem Building Code, plumbers who intend to work on commercial and multi-family buildings and single-family dwelling units must obtain permits from the Winston-Salem Planning and Development Services Department. However, repairing or changing plumbing fixtures in your home does not require a permit. You can obtain a permit from the Inspections Division of the Winston-Salem Planning and Development Department online using the BuildIT portal provided by the Department for this purpose. Alternatively, you can make an application by downloading and completing a plumbing permit application which is to be sent by mail to the division at

After the completion of your project, the Inspections Division will need to conduct a review to ensure that you adhere to the building code. You can contact the Inspections Division at (336) 727-2624 for any inspection or permit-related inquiries or visit the Division in person for inquiries.

What Kind of Plumbing Services Do You Offer?

Plumbers in Winston-Salem offer various services, so it is important that you ensure that any plumber you decide to hire is capable and duly authorized to handle the particular issue you have. Some plumbers are particularly skilled in handling residential plumbing issues, while others might specialize in commercial or industrial plumbing. The license of the plumber is also an important identifier of the skillset of the plumber.

Plumbers with a Class I license are authorized to handle all types of plumbing in all buildings, while Class II licensed plumbers can only carry out plumbing work on single-family dwelling homes. The other license categories are specifically issued for restricted project types so it is necessary that you make sure that, aside from confirming the competence of the plumber you hire, you verify that the plumber is duly licensed for the job.

Some common estimates for plumbing services in Winston-Salem include:

Do You Offer Emergency Plumbing Services in Winston-Salem?

Most plumbing issues require immediate attention, and as such, nearly all plumbing problems are emergencies. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, it is estimated that at least 10,000 gallons of water are wasted yearly, with over 10% of homes experiencing household leaks that waste up to 90 gallons per day. In Winston Salem, the base charge for water is at least $9.63 for the lowest meter size of 3/4 inches, so failing to address a leak in time could result in substantial extra charges for you.

The urgency of your problem might make you consider hiring just any plumber you can find. However, it is always important that you make sure that the plumber you hire can handle the emergency you have. Finding a plumber who can handle your emergency also means that you will need to find a plumber who is familiar with your location and can get to you on time.

You can use online resources from third-party sites like Yelp or Better Business Bureau to find plumbers in your area. However, it is important that you verify the license of any plumber before hiring.

Do You Carry the Necessary Insurance Policy for Plumbers in Winston-Salem?

In compliance with the Winston-Salem Building Code, anybody who intends to carry out the business of plumbing within the city must file a bond with a value of no less than $2,500, and this bond is to be made payable to the state. In cases where the plumbing work is to be executed by a homeowner personally or someone who is regularly employed by the homeowner, a bond will not be required. A bond will also not be required by any person making minor repairs or replacements to an already existing plumbing system, provided that the repairs will not disrupt the original waste or ventilating system and water supply.

Aside from the city regulations concerning plumbing insurance, it is generally advisable to hire properly insured plumbers. This is to ensure that you do not end up liable for any unforeseen accidents during the project or repairs. Hiring plumbers with insurance coverage will also make sure that you do not end up with medical bills for on-the-job injuries or have to fork out extra money for repairs if any damage is done to your property by the plumber while the plumbing work is being done.