Get Quotes from Top Plumbers in Orlando, FL

Are You Licensed to Practice as a Plumber in Orlando?

Anyone who intends to offer plumbing services in Orlando is required to obtain a plumbing license from the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR), which licenses plumbers operating across Florida. Operating without a plumbing license attracts a cease and desist order and a possible administrative fine of $5,000 for both the unlicensed plumber and the resident who engages this plumber.

The plumbing license types issued by the DBPR are classified into certified and registered plumbing licenses. Certified plumbers provide plumbing services anywhere in Florida, while registered plumbers can only work in a specific area. To obtain a certified plumbing license, interested persons must be:

• At least 18 years old,
• Have at least four years of plumbing experience or must have completed four years of plumbing-related college education with an additional one year of plumbing experience,
• Pass the Florida certified contractor examination, and
• Provide proof of insurance coverage in the amount determined by the DBPR.

Similarly, to obtain a registered plumber license, applicants must be at least 18 years old and must provide proof of financial stability and insurance coverage. In addition to the aforementioned requirements, applicants must also provide a certificate of competency issued by a local licensing authority. Queries concerning plumbing licenses can be directed to the DBPR's Customer Contact Center at (850) 487-1395.

In addition to a state-issued license, plumbing contractors in Orlando are also required to register with the Orlando Permitting Services Division. Note that registration with this Division is a prerequisite to obtaining a building permit in Orlando. To register with the Division, plumbing contractors are required to provide proof of plumbing license issued by the DBPR, a business tax receipt issued by the city, and current proof of workers' compensation insurance or proof of exemption from the workers' compensation insurance requirement. Queries regarding citywide contractor registration can be directed to the Orlando Permitting Services Division at (407) 246-2261.

To confirm a plumber is duly licensed, residents of Orlando can utilize the DBPR's online licensee search tool or contact the Department at (850) 487-1395.

How Much Do You Charge Compared to Plumbers in Orlando?

The hourly cost of hiring a plumber in Orlando is typically determined by the type of service you need, the plumber's experience or qualification, and the cost of relevant materials. Before hiring a plumber in Orlando, you should ideally have a general idea of what your project may cost. You can do this by comparing estimates from different plumbers.

A plumber in Orlando City earns an annual average wage of $44,100. Listed below is a breakdown of the average hourly wages for plumbers in Orlando compared with plumbers in other parts of Florida and other major cities in the country:

Do You Comply with the Orlando Building Code for Plumbing?

All home improvement and construction works, including plumbing works, are regulated by Orlando through the adoption of the 2020 Florida Building Code. This Building Code governs the installation, maintenance, replacement, or alteration of plumbing systems and all other plumbing activities across the city. The Code also specifies the minimum standards for plumbing work in the city, as well as who is eligible to provide plumbing services.

Before hiring a plumber in Orlando, it is good to confirm if the individual is familiar with the Florida Building Code, as this protects you from penalties and administrative fines that may result from code violations. You can direct queries concerning the Building Code to the city's Permitting Services Division at (407) 246-2271.

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

A plumbing permit is required before several plumbing works in Orlando can begin. Such plumbing works include installations, replacements, and repairs of plumbing fixtures and systems. However, some plumbing works are also exempt from permit requirements.

Per section 105.2 of the adopted Florida Building Code, plumbing works exempt from permits include clearing stoppages or repairing leaks in valves, pipes, and fixtures without replacing any of the aforementioned plumbing systems. Nonetheless, before hiring a plumber near you, it is always a good idea to find out if the job requires a permit in order to ensure you follow the applicable requirements of the Building Code.

Plumbing permit applications are processed by the Orlando City Permitting Services Division. To obtain a plumbing permit, applicants must obtain a downloadable plumbing permit application form and mail the completed form to:

Note that permit applications can only be submitted by registered contractors. If your plumber is not registered with the Permitting Services Division, your permit application will be denied. The Permitting Services Division typically processes all permit applications within two business days. Once an application has been processed, the applicant will be notified to submit the necessary plumbing plans for approval. If the value of the plumbing project is more than $2,500, the applicant will be required to file a notice of commencement with the Orange County Comptroller's Office before starting any work on the project. Applicants are then notified of permit fees and payment instructions after submitted plans have been successfully reviewed. Note that payment of fees validates permit applications.

In addition to issuing permits for plumbing works, the city's Permitting Services Division also performs inspections on plumbing work for which a permit has been issued. These inspections are to ensure the plumbing work is done according to city standards. Common plumbing-related inspections in Orlando include underground rough-in inspections, sanitary system inspections, water pipe inspections, and interceptor inspections. You can schedule an inspection online or by contacting the Permitting Services Division at (407) 246-4444. For inquiries on applying for a plumber permit and related processes, you can also contact the Permitting Services Division at (407) 246-2271.

What Kind of Plumbing Services Do You Offer?

Orlando plumbers offer different types of plumbing services, ranging from installation of new plumbing systems to replacement and repair of faulty plumbing systems. This includes fixing household leaks, cleaning clogged drains, and replacing or repairing faulty fixtures and fittings. However, before hiring a plumber near you, it is important to find out if the individual has the experience to perform a satisfactory job for you. For example, while simple repairs like fixing household leaks do not require many years of experience, you need a more experienced plumber to install new pipes, especially if it is a new building. You can find out if the individual is experienced by asking about their years of practice and asking them to provide references from previous clients.

Note that your type of plumbing work and the plumber's experience typically influence the overall cost you will spend. However, listed below are some of the cost estimates for plumbing services in Orlando:

Do You Offer Emergency Plumbing Services in Orlando?

Emergency plumbing issues generally include any plumbing issue that requires immediate attention. Such issues include burst pipes, valve failure, clogged toilets, and even general problems like dripping faucets. It is estimated that a simple household leak can waste over 10,000 gallons of water yearly and consequently increase your water bills. However, while you are focused on ensuring that your plumbing problem is fixed immediately, you should also ensure that the individual you intend to hire is qualified and competent enough to fix the problem.

You can find good plumbers near you by exploring third-party websites like Better Business Bureau, Google Review, and Yelp. These websites also contain customer reviews, which are helpful in assessing a plumber's expertise and professionalism. Despite getting positive customer reviews on a plumber, you should always ensure that the individual you intend to hire is licensed. You can confirm your plumber's license status by utilizing the DBPR's online licensee search tool.

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

In Florida, contractors are required to maintain general liability insurance before operating within the state, and contractors with employees are additionally required to maintain workers' compensation insurance. Accordingly, it is crucial to ensure that any plumber you intend to hire is duly insured. Besides ensuring this plumber is law-abiding, hiring an insured plumber also gives you financial protection from claims that may result from work accidents during your plumbing work. This financial protection is particularly essential, considering the construction industry accounted for 30% of fatal work injuries across Florida in 2019.

You can verify whether your plumber maintains general liability insurance by requesting a certificate of insurance and confirming from the insurance company that issued the certificate. If the plumber has employees, you can verify if the plumber has workers' compensation insurance by contacting the Florida Division of Workers Compensation Compliance at (850) 488-2333 or by utilizing the online proof of coverage database.