How to Hire a Good Plumber in Boise

Are You Licensed to Practice as a Plumber in Boise?

Hiring a licensed plumber gives you a certain level of assurance and also protects you from legal troubles. The licensing of plumbers in Boise is handled at the state level by the Idaho Division of Building Safety (DBS). Per section 54-2602 of the Idaho Plumbing Code, plumbing without a valid license is punishable by a civil penalty of not more than $500 for a first-time violation and not more than a $1,000 fine for subsequent violations. There are certain requirements that must be satisfied to become a licensed plumber in Boise. These requirements include:

• The applicant must complete and submit the journeyman application form, alongside the application fee, to the Division of Building Safety.
• The applicant must show evidence of apprenticeship under a qualified journeyman plumber.
• The applicant must have at least four years of plumbing experience
• The applicant must pass a trade examination

For further information about obtaining a plumber's license, you can contact the Plumbing Bureau of the Idaho Division of Building Safety located at:

Similarly, you can use the eTRAKIT portal provided by the Division of Building Safety to verify the licenses of plumbers in Boise. License verifications can be done via different search parameters available on this portal, such as license name, license type, or license category.

How Much Do You Charge Compared to Plumbers in Boise?

Requesting quotes from multiple plumbers is a good way to ensure that you get the best plumber for the job. The cost of hiring a plumber in Boise depends on various factors, such as the cost of obtaining a permit, the cost of materials, labor, and other miscellaneous expenses. Getting quotes from different plumbers will enable you to compare the estimated costs with the amount of work that will be done, alongside the materials that may be required to get the job done.

Hence making it easy to select a plumber best suited to you and your plumbing needs. A plumber in Boise earns an annual average wage of $61,100. Below is a breakdown of the average hourly wages for plumbers in Boise compared with plumbers in other parts of Idaho and other major cities in the country:

Do You Comply with the Boise Building Code for Plumbing?

Hiring a plumber who is licensed and familiar with the applicable plumbing code of your area of residence will save you from the civil penalties that come with code violations. The Boise Plumbing Code, which is an adopted version of the state's plumbing code, is a set of rules that must be adhered to for any plumbing project in Boise. This code was created to safeguard life, property, and public welfare by regulating the construction, installation, and material of all plumbing systems and to authenticate the qualifications of plumbers in Boise.

The Boise Planning and Development Services Department (PDS) ensures that all plumbing projects that go on in the city adhere strictly to the code. It is essential for every plumber in Boise to be conversant with the code, but it is equally important for project owners to be conversant with the provisions that apply to their intended projects. This helps prevent dubious plumbers from trying to cut corners. For further information or queries concerning the plumbing code, the PDS can be contacted at(208) 608-7100

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

Plumbing permits in Boise are issued by its Planning and Development Services Department. While obtaining a permit before the start of a plumbing project in Boise is an important requirement of the city's plumbing code, there are some plumbing activities that do not require these permits. These activities typically include minor plumbing work like fixing a broken faucet or fixture, clearing stoppages, and stopping leaks.

There are several methods that can be utilized to apply for plumbing permits in Boise. These include applying for permits online via the city's licensing and permitting system or downloading, completing, and mailing a plumbing permit application form to:

Interested parties can schedule an in-person appointment with the Boise Planning and Development Services Department to discuss the process for obtaining plumbing permits by calling (206)608-7100. Other general permit-related inquiries can also be directed to the aforementioned phone number. Note that you may need to schedule an inspection after your plumbing project has commenced. These inspections are necessary to ensure that the work complies with the standards of the city's Plumbing Code. You can schedule an inspection by using the online permitting system or by calling the permit counter at (208)608-7070.

What Kind of Plumbing Services Do You Offer?

Plumbers in Boise offer a variety of services, like gas plumbing, bathtub installation, or water heater installation. Before hiring a plumber in the city, you must verify their experience and ability to do the job. For example, a master plumber is typically able to handle the installation of plumbing systems, while a journeyman plumber may just be able to handle the repairs of broken fixtures. As such, you should always confirm that your intended plumber has the right skills necessary to handle the job successfully.

There are several factors that affect the quote for a plumbing project, like permit fees, cost of materials, and labor costs. Listed below are common costs for plumbing services in Boise:

Do You Offer Emergency Plumbing Services in Boise?

All plumbing problems are generally considered emergencies. However, some of these problems typically require more urgent attention than others. These plumbing issues include clogged toilets, burst pipes, and flooded basements. Nonetheless, minor issues like broken fixtures or leaky faucets should also be rectified as soon as possible. With the amount of money spent on water bills monthly, it would be disastrous to leave a leaky faucet unattended. Hiring just any plumber for your plumbing emergency might seem like the best and easiest thing to do.

However, it is in your best interest to do your due diligence by checking if the plumber is licensed, experienced enough to undertake your task and close enough to do this before the problem leads to further damage. You can find licensed emergency plumbers through third-party websites like Better Business Bureau, Google, and Yelp. Note that you must always confirm that the plumber you intend to hire holds a valid license before the commencement of any repairs.

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

It is estimated that work-related deaths occurred every 99 minutes in the United States in 2019. Unfortunately, while work-related accidents cannot be avoided, the stress and the monetary burden that is associated with work-related injuries can be lessened significantly by hiring an insured plumber. Hiring a plumber with adequate insurance coverage will save you from the financial burden that comes with injuries happening on your work site and also insulate you from any potential lawsuits that these injuries may cause.

Every contractor in Boise, including plumbers, is required to obtain workers' insurance coverage from the State Insurance Fund (SIF). The SIF was created to save employees and their employers from medical expenses in the occurrence of death or injury on the worksite. SIF pays the medical bills and income that was lost due to the injury. Therefore, before hiring a plumber, you must request an insurance certificate and verify its validity by contacting the State Insurance Fund at (800) 334-2379. For further inquiries, you can send an email to the SIF or visit its office in person at: