How to choose a plumber in McKinney, TX

The short version

Before anyone starts work: look up the license, get the price in writing, and ask who is pulling the permit. Those three checks weed out most of the problems homeowners run into. The rest of this page explains each one, plus the questions worth asking when you call.

1. Check the license

Plumbing in Texas is licensed by the Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners (TSBPE). Every plumbing company must operate under a responsible master plumber, whose license number starts with "M" (for example M-12345). You can look up any license on the TSBPE consumer information page.

What to look for:

• The license is current. The lookup shows the status and expiry date.
• The name matches. The master plumber should be tied to the company you're hiring. A mismatch isn't always a problem (companies get bought and renamed), but ask about it.
• Who does the work. Plumbers working under the master plumber hold their own journeyman, tradesman or apprentice registrations. It's fair to ask who will be at your house and what they hold.

The state requires the master plumber's license number and the company name on both sides of every service vehicle. A truck with no license number is worth a question.

2. Get the price in writing

Texas rules require the first page of every written estimate, proposal, invoice or contract for plumbing to show:

• the responsible master plumber's first and last name
• their license number
• the phrase "regulated by the Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners"
• the board's mailing address, phone number and website

An estimate missing those details isn't just sloppy; it doesn't meet the state's rules. Beyond that, a good estimate spells out:

• Exactly what's included: parts, labor, haul-away of old equipment, permit fees, patching drywall or concrete
• What could change the price, and how you'll be told before extra work starts
• Any trip or diagnostic fee, and whether it's credited toward the repair
• The warranty on parts and on labor, and for how long

For bigger jobs (a water heater, sewer line or slab leak repair), getting two or three estimates is normal and no good plumber will be offended by it.

3. Ask about permits

In McKinney, replacing a water heater needs a city permit, and so does most work that removes, replaces or relocates pipe. Small leak repairs and swapping a fixture in the same spot generally don't. The licensed plumber normally pulls the permit through the city's Citizen Self-Service portal and books the inspection. See the city's home repair permit page.

Ask directly: "Is a permit needed, and will you pull it?" A plumber who suggests skipping a required permit to save money is taking a shortcut with your house, and unpermitted work can cause trouble when you sell.

Questions to ask when you call

1. What's your master plumber license number?
2. Do you charge a trip or diagnostic fee, and is it applied to the repair?
3. Do you price by the job or by the hour?
4. When could someone come out, and will they call ahead?
5. Will this need a permit, and do you handle it?
6. What warranty do you give on parts and labor?
7. Do you do this kind of job regularly? (Slab leaks, sewer lines and tankless water heaters are specialties.)

It also helps to describe the problem clearly. Our problem guides explain what to look for, so you can tell the plumber exactly what you're seeing.

Red flags

• No license number, or reluctance to give one
• Pressure to decide on the spot, especially "today only" pricing
• A large upfront payment before any work or parts
• Recommending a full replacement without explaining why a repair won't do
• Suggesting you skip the permit
• A verbal quote only, with no written estimate

After-hours and emergencies

Many plumbers charge more for nights, weekends and holidays. If water is running, shut off your main valve first: once the water is off, many problems can wait for regular hours, which can save a significant amount. Our emergency plumbing guide helps you decide what truly can't wait.

If something goes wrong

Raise it with the plumbing company first, in writing, with photos. If you believe a plumber acted outside the rules, you can file a complaint with the TSBPE through its consumer information page.