How to Choose a Plumber
Most people look for a plumber when something is already leaking. That is the worst time to choose, so here is a short checklist you can use in five minutes, even with the water shut off.
Step 1: Check the licence in two minutes
Texas plumbing companies work under a Responsible Master Plumber (RMP), licensed by the Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners (TSBPE). Texas rules require the RMP’s licence number and the company name on both sides of service vehicles, and the RMP’s name and number on the first page of every estimate and invoice.
- Ask for the RMP licence number on the phone.
- Look it up on the state’s public licence search (vo.licensing.hpc.texas.gov, linked from tsbpe.texas.gov).
- Check that the name matches the company, and that the licence is active.
What the licence types mean
| Licence | What it allows |
|---|---|
| Master Plumber | Can do and supervise plumbing work; a company is run under a Responsible Master Plumber |
| Journeyman Plumber | Can do plumbing work under an RMP and supervise apprentices |
| Tradesman Plumber-Limited | Plumbing on one- and two-family homes under an RMP |
| Plumber’s Apprentice | A registration, not a licence: works only with a licensed plumber on site |
Step 2: Ask these questions on the phone
- “What is your RMP licence number?”
- “Is there a trip charge to my address, and a diagnostic fee?”
- “Flat price or hourly? Can I have the price in writing before you start?”
- “What is your after-hours rate, and can this wait until morning?“
- “Will you show me the problem before you fix it?”
Step 3: Compare estimates the right way
The Texas plumbing board does not set prices. It advises getting several estimates and putting estimates and warranties in writing. Compare what each estimate covers, not just the total: parts, permits, clean-up and repairs to walls or floors. For sewer lines, slab leaks and repiping, a second written estimate is worth the wait if water is shut off and nothing is spreading.
Step 4: Watch for red flags
- No licence number on the truck or the estimate
- No written price before work starts
- Pressure to decide now (“this price is only good today”)
- A big deposit for a small repair
- Fees you only hear about after the job
Step 5: If something goes wrong
Keep every estimate, invoice and photo. Call the company first and ask for a fix in writing. If you can’t resolve it, the TSBPE takes consumer complaints through its General Complaint Form. Before you hire, you can also call TSBPE Enforcement to ask about a company’s complaint history.
Longview tips
- Know whether the problem is the city’s or yours: the city owns the line up to the meter; from the meter to the house is yours.
- Homes outside Longview often pay a higher trip charge. Ask first.
- Older homes (the median Longview home was built in 1978) can turn a small repair into a bigger one. Ask what the plumber found before approving extra work.
Want a price range before anyone comes out? Call (903) 212-9500. Calls answered 24/7.
