Get Quotes from Top Plumbers in Oklahoma City, OK

Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Plumber in Oklahoma City

The best plumbers in Oklahoma are licensed, insured, and conversant with the city's plumbing code. One more thing, if you have seen a spike in your water bill lately, these qualified professionals will save you from the additional liability. Typically, undetected leaks from faucets, showerheads, toilets, and pipes are responsible for such sudden spike in the cost - wasting up to 10,000 gallons of water every year. When in search of a plumber in the city, ask the following questions to determine that the professional is a good hire:

Are You Licensed to Practice as a Plumber in Oklahoma City?

When hiring a plumber in Oklahoma City, you must ensure you verify that the plumber possesses a valid plumbing license, which certifies them eligible to offer their services to you. It is unlawful for any person to perform plumbing work without a license. Anyone who does so is liable to pay a fine of $500 for the first offense and up to $1,000 for subsequent offenses.

Plumbers in Oklahoma City are licensed by the State of Oklahoma Construction Industries Board (CIB), and individuals seeking to become journeyman plumbers or plumbing contractors in Oklahoma must first complete an apprenticeship program. A plumbing apprentice must be at least 14 years of age and work under a licensed plumbing contractor or journeyman plumber. Also, the apprentice must register with the CIB. Apprentice registration can be done by submitting a completed Apprentice Application form, along with the required fees, to:

Construction Industries Board
2401 Northwest 23rd, Suite 2f
Oklahoma City, OK 73107
Phone: (405) 521-6550
Office hours: 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday to Friday

An individual who has completed the apprenticeship program can apply for the journeyman plumber license. To be eligible for Journeyman plumber licenses, applicants must be at least 18 years of age and pass the plumbing licensing exam. To qualify for the licensing exam, applicants must have acquired three years of experience in the plumbing trade or provide proof of holding a two-year substitution associate degree or Career Tech Diploma that certifies the completion of a plumbing educational program. Plumbing contractor license applicants are required to provide proof of an additional year of experience in the plumbing trade in addition to the eligibility criteria required for a journeyman plumber. Once the applicants meet the criteria, they can complete and submit a Plumbing Application form to enable them to sit for the plumbing licensing exams, along with the relevant fees, to the CIB's address provided above.

Plumbing contractor applicants must also submit proof of corporate surety bond of $5,000 to be made payable to the Oklahoma Construction Industries Board and a certificate of general liability insurance with a minimum coverage of $50,000. For more inquiries on Oklahoma City plumbing license requirements, applicants can contact the CIB at (405) 521-6550.

Residents can also verify an intended plumber's license by utilizing the CIB's verify licensee search tool.

How Much Do You Charge Compared to Plumbers in Oklahoma City?

According to figures published by the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, plumbers in Oklahoma City earn approximately $28 per hour. What usually influences the cost of services of these plumbers include the cost of permits required, the cost of materials, the workforce, the scope of the work, and the plumber's expertise. Therefore, before hiring a plumber in Oklahoma City, it is advisable to get quotes from at least three plumbers so you can find the one that suits your budget and avoid possible scams.

A plumber in Oklahoma City earns an annual average wage of $57,360. Below is a breakdown of the Average hourly wages for plumbers in Oklahoma City compared with plumbers in other parts of Oklahoma and other major cities in the country:

Oklahoma City Plumber Hourly Average Wage
$27.58
Oklahoma Plumber Hourly Average Wage
$25.86
Los Angeles Plumber Hourly Average Wage
$29.04
Atlanta Plumber Hourly Average Wage
$26.53
New York City Plumber Hourly Average Wage
$35.78
Houston Plumber Hourly Average Wage
$26.71
Miami Plumber Hourly Average Wage
$22.66
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Do You Comply with the Oklahoma City Building Code for Plumbing?

The installation, alteration, modification, replacement, and repairs of plumbing systems in Oklahoma City are regulated by the Oklahoma Plumbing Code 2015 and relevant city-amended sections of the Code. The Code ensures compliance with the public safety and health of city residents with respect to the use of plumbing materials and appliances. Hiring a plumber who is well-versed with the Oklahoma City Plumbing Code guarantees your project will not be the subject of a code violation. Violating the city's Plumbing Code is a Class A offense against the city, and subsequent violations shall be classified as Class B offenses.

As such, you should ensure that your intended plumber is knowledgeable about the Plumbing Code provisions applicable to your plumbing project. You can contact the Division of Development Center of the Oklahoma Department of Development Services at (405) 297-2525 for more information regarding the code and how it applies to your planned projects.

Will You Get the Plumbing Permits as Required by the Oklahoma City Code?

Plumbing permits are generally required when you construct, alter, repair, enlarge, move, or demolish a plumbing system in Oklahoma City. However, permits are not required for certain plumbing work that involves maintenance or repair of the plumbing system as long as the work does not entail the alteration or rearrangement of the plumbing system.

The Division of Development Center of the Oklahoma Department of Development Services is responsible for reviewing permit applications and issuing permits to successful applicants, and licensed plumbers are eligible to apply. To apply for a plumbing permit, applicants can download a fax application form for residential and commercial plumbing projects and fax the completed form to (405) 552-6024. Meanwhile, applicants can submit plans for review, where applicable, and the appropriate permit fees to the Development Center at:

420 West Main Street,
8th Floor,
Oklahoma City, OK 73102
Phone: (405) 297-2525
Hours: 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday to Friday

Alternatively, applicants can complete a plumbing permit application and submit plan reviews where applicable online via the city's Citizen Portal. To use this platform, applicants must register a new account or sign in with their details if they are existing users. If an application for a permit is successful, applicants will be issued a plumbing permit. Depending on the type of project, if the plumbing permits come with an inspection list, the applicant must contact the inspector's number indicated in the list to schedule an inspection at various stages of the plumbing project until the final inspection is signed off. Applicants can also request an inspection online or via the Interactive Voice Response (IVR) automated phone system by contacting (405) 316-5656.

For all permits and inspection-related queries, you can contact the Division of Development Center of the Oklahoma Department of Development Services at (405) 297-2525

What Kind of Plumbing Services Do You Offer?

There is a wide range of plumbing activities that plumbers offer in Oklahoma City. These include remodeling, clearing drain clogs, installing a septic system, and replacing faulty plumbing fixtures. This is why you must hire only qualified plumbers with the expertise to handle the proposed plumbing work. In addition to this, you should also confirm how much their service costs before you finalize the work contract.

Average cost estimates for common plumbing services in Oklahoma City are provided below:

Remodel or home addition
$3,795 - $4,906
Toilet installation or replacement
$133 - $143
Clearing drain clog or blockage
$108 - $132
Bathtub installation (for acrylic tub)
$1,665 - $2,036
Drain line video inspection
$224 - $257
Gas line installation
$26 - $37
Septic tank cleaning or pumping (for 1,000 gallon tank)
$236 - $278
Sewer line cleaning
$150 - $230
Sewer line installation and repair (per linear foot)
$52 - $67
Sump pump installation
$740 - $1,064
Water main installation or repair (per linear foot)
$27 - $46

Do You Offer Emergency Plumbing Services in Oklahoma City?

Average household leaks alone can waste up to 10,000 gallons of water annually. This is why plumbing issues should be urgently addressed, especially when you have leaky faucets and toilets, clogged drains, or burst pipes. Fixing that leaky faucet can save your household up to 140 gallons a week, and failing to do so can cause serious health issues like respiratory difficulty from molds and mildew. When planning to address any plumbing issue in your home, It is always advisable to hire professional and experienced plumbers capable of handling such issues. You can find an emergency plumber near you via online platforms like Better Business Bureau, Google Reviews, and Yelp.

However, you need to verify the licensing status of the plumber found on these websites before retaining their service. You can do this by utilizing the verify licensee search tool provided by the Oklahoma Construction Industries Board (CIB).

Do You Carry the Necessary Insurance Policy for Plumbers in Oklahoma City?

Generally, plumbing works are dangerous, as plumbers are exposed to different occupational hazards leading to various physical dangers, ranging from slipping to cuts. As such, you must make sure your intended plumber possesses the statutorily required general liability coverage, especially the minimum coverage limit of $50,000 applicable to plumbing contractors, before retaining their service. A plumber with a liability insurance policy protects you from paying for bodily injury or property damage caused by accidents or professional negligence during your project. You can verify a plumber is insured by requesting a copy of their insurance certificate and validating such certificates by contacting the issuing insurance company.

In addition to the general liability insurance, active plumbers in Oklahoma City must also maintain a corporate surety bond, and plumbers with more than one employee must maintain a workers' compensation insurance plan.

How to File a Complaint Against a Bad Plumber in Oklahoma City

Before hiring a plumber in Oklahoma City for a proposed project, you must make sure you take precautionary steps to avoid falling victim to deceptive individuals posing as qualified plumbers. In October 2021, a contractor was charged by the Oklahoma Attorney General with four counts of violating the Consumer Protection Act by several actions, including collecting $7,500 for a project without starting it and one count of exhibiting criminal behavior.

Some of the methods employed by these fraudulent individuals include door-to-door solicitation, insisting on cash payments, requests for full payment upfront, or refusing to provide proof of licensing or general liability insurance. You can take the following steps and protect yourself from falling victim to these scams when searching for plumbers near you:

  • Be careful of door-to-door solicitations, especially after a disaster.
  • Request estimates from at least three plumbers before settling for the one that suits your budget.
  • Request for your intended plumber's valid license and insurance certificate before signing a contract. You can verify if the license or registration is current, and you can contact the Oklahoma Construction Industries Board at (405) 521-6550 to confirm if they have a record of an insurance certificate.
  • Request references about similar work they have performed.
  • Execute a written contract with the plumber.

If you have been a victim of a fraudulent or deceptive plumber in Oklahoma City, you can download a complaint form provided by the Office of the Oklahoma Attorney General and send the completed form to:

Oklahoma Attorney General's Office
Consumer Protection Unit
313 Northeast 21st Street
Oklahoma City, OK 73105

Alternatively, you can contact the Attorney General's Office consumer representatives at (833) 681-1895 to make a complaint. The Attorney General's Office can not guarantee restitution. If you are after restitution, you can commence legal action against the relevant individual or business at the Oklahoma County District Court. However, it is advisable to seek proper legal advice from a qualified lawyer before commencing such an action. You can use the Find a Lawyer tool provided by the Oklahoma Bar Association to find active lawyers near you.