Get Quotes from Top Plumbers in Cleveland, OH

Are You Licensed to Practice as a Plumber in Cleveland?

Plumbers aspiring to carry out repairs or work on projects in Cleveland must have a license from the Ohio Construction Industry Licensing Board (OCILB). By limiting your plumber hires to licensed plumbers, you can increase your chance of getting quality work and also reduce the chances of your project violating any of the city's plumbing work requirements.

Per Section 3107.02 of the Cleveland Building Code, only appropriately licensed plumbers can perform the installation or maintenance of all Ohio Building Code (OBC) regulated work in the city. Violation of this code is considered a first-degree misdemeanor and is punishable with a fine of up to $1,000 or 6 months imprisonment.

The Ohio Construction Industry Licensing Board (OCLIB) issues journeyman plumber and plumbing contractor licenses to eligible parties in Cleveland. The OCLIB issues journeyman plumbing licenses to plumbers who have:

• At least five years experience installing plumbing systems or has completed an apprenticeship program
• Passed the National Standard Journeyman Plumber exam

Likewise, plumbing contractor licenses are issued to parties that meet the following licensing requirements:

• Applicants must be legal residents of the United States or citizens
• Applicants should be at least 18 years old
• Applicants must pay the required license fees
• Applicant must pass the trade exam for plumbers
• Applicants must be free of convictions from certain criminal offenses such as murder and felony fraud
• Applicants must have no less than $500,000 in contractor liability coverage
• Applicants must have at least five years of experience in plumbing or must be state-registered engineers with at least three years of experience in plumbing.

Note that these plumbing contractors will also be required to undergo registration with the Cleveland Department of Building and Housing. To verify the license of your intended plumber, you can check their license status using the eLicense Ohio Professional Licensure System portal. You can also confirm your plumber's registration status with the Cleveland Department of Building and Housing by calling (216) 664-2884.

How Much Do You Charge Compared to Plumbers in Cleveland?

The cost of hiring a plumber in Cleveland depends on the extent of the required work, fees for permits, the urgency of the work, and the materials used. You should always compare quotes from at least three plumbers near you before deciding on the choice of a plumber for your project. Asking for multiple estimates will help you decide which of the rates is most reasonable and closest to your budget.

A plumber in Cleveland earns an annual average wage of $66,900. Below is a breakdown of the average hourly wages for plumbers in Cleveland compared with plumbers in other parts of Ohio and other major cities in the country:

Do You Comply with the Cleveland Building Code for Plumbing?

Plumbing in Cleveland must be done per the Ohio Plumbing Code, which the city adopts. The Ohio Plumbing Code provides guidelines that apply to the relocation, repair, installation, removal, design, inspection, maintenance, alteration, and use of plumbing systems in buildings in Cleveland. This code also includes guidance for stormwater drainage, piping sizes, water supply systems, sanitary drainage, wastewater systems, toilet room specifications, kitchen water supply, bathtub installations, faucets and fixture installations, and gas piping in the city.

Properly licensed plumbers in Cleveland are knowledgeable of the code's provisions and requirements, and hiring one for your project helps avoid code violations and associated penalties. In addition, a licensed plumber can also ensure you get quality work. For more information on the plumbing code and its provisions that may apply to your project, you can reach the Cleveland Building and Housing Department by phone at (216) 664-2282.

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

Under Section 3133.02 of the Ohio Plumbing Code, permits are required before any plumbing work is done in Cleveland. However, exceptions in the code provide for certain work that can be carried out without permits. These types of work are considered minor repairs, and they include:

• The repair or replacement of existing fixtures, faucets, and valves with materials serving the same purpose
• Stopping leaks, clearing stoppages, and relieving frozen pipes
• Minor replacements that do not involve changes to piping or fixtures beyond what has been specifically permitted
• Clearance of stoppage that can be done without power-driven equipment or cutting of pipes and fittings
• Stopping of leaks without replacement of vent piping or drainage

Permits for plumbing-related work in Cleveland are provided by the Cleveland Department of Building and Housing. To obtain a plumbing permit, you will be required to download a plumbing permit application, complete and submit it, along with any required plans and additional documents, to:

Note that a separate application for a water permit from the Cleveland Division of Water may also be required for plumbing work that involves a connection to the city's water system. Permit applications are reviewed after submission and checked for code compliance. The length of time it takes these permit applications to be reviewed typically depends on the specific nature of the project and its complexity. For example, reviews for residential home-related projects are generally completed in three to five working days.

For inquiries on the plumbing permit process, you can (216) 664-2000. Also, the Department of Building and Housing requires scheduled inspections at the different stages of the project after it issues permits. Plumbing contractors and homeowners working on their projects themselves are responsible for scheduling these inspections. For inquiries on the inspection process, you can contact Cleveland's Chief Plumbing Inspector at (216) 664-2284.

What Kind of Plumbing Services Do You Offer?

It is important to ensure that any plumber you hire has the right set of skills for your work, as this can impact the outcome of your project. Plumbers in Cleveland provide a wide range of plumbing services, such as sump pump installation, water heater installation, drain cleaning, video camera inspection, toilet repair, shower repair, faucet repair, and sink repair. Plumbers in the city also perform new plumbing system installations, while some of these plumbers may focus and specialize in either residential or commercial plumbing jobs.

Some common rates for plumbing services in Cleveland are as follows:

Do You Offer Emergency Plumbing Services in Cleveland?

Residents of Cleveland pay up to $63 per 7,480 gallons of water, and any form of water wastage can significantly impact this water bill. With household leaks leading to more than one trillion gallons of water wasted annually nationwide, these plumbing issues are best attended to as soon as they are detected. While plumbing problems need urgent attention, some issues require more urgency than others. These include overflowing toilets, burst pipes, clogged sink drains, leaky fixtures, sewer backup, and water heater malfunction.

When you require a fix for an emergency plumbing solution, it is vital that you are able to hire a plumber close to you with the skill, equipment, and experience to fix the problem quickly. You can find competent plumbers near you via Google reviews, the Better Business Bureau, or Yelp. Note that you can always confirm the authenticity of these plumbers before hiring them by checking their registration with the Cleveland Department of Building and Housing via phone number (216) 664-2884.

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

Hiring a plumber who is insured protects you from financial liabilities if the plumber suffers any physical injuries while working on your project. Plumbing contractors in Cleveland are required to have a minimum of $200,000 in contractor liability insurance. This contractor liability insurance includes $100,000 for bodily injury and $50,000 for property damage. To this end, before hiring a plumber for your project, you should request that they provide information on their insurance coverage, and you should verify this information by contacting the appropriate issuing organizations.