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Are You Licensed to Practice as a Plumber in Milwaukee?

In Wisconsin, plumbers are mandatorily required to obtain a plumbing license from the Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS) to be eligible to work anywhere in the state, including Milwaukee. Anyone who offers plumbing services or acts as a plumber without obtaining the required licenses from the Department will be fined up to $500 or imprisoned for 30 days. Residents of Milwaukee must understand that it is their responsibility to confirm a plumber's license status before signing an agreement. You can confirm your plumber's license status using the Department's license lookup tool.

The plumbing license types issued by the Department include master plumber license and journeyman plumber license. The requirements for these licenses vary. For example, to obtain a master plumber license, applicants are required to show records of not less than 1,000 hours of practical experience as a journeyman plumber for three or more years in the state or proof of completing a plumbing course from an engineering school or college approved by the Department. Applicants are also required to pass a state examination approved by the Department. Similarly, applicants must have one year of work experience consisting of not less than 1,000 hours to obtain a journeyman plumber license.

In addition to this, anyone who intends to obtain a journeyman license must also provide proof of completing plumbing training and related instructions to the Department. Before hiring a plumber in your area, you should always find out the type of plumbing license the individual obtained from the DSPS. For example, in Milwaukee, only master plumbers can independently install plumbing systems. Journeyman plumbers cannot handle plumbing system installations unless they are supervised by a licensed master plumber.

In addition to state-issued plumbing licenses, Milwaukee contractors are required to obtain a plumbing license from the city's Department of Neighborhood Services. You can confirm a plumber's license status by calling the Department at (414) 286-2268. Likewise, interested persons can also direct all inquiries concerning state-level licensing to the DSPS by calling (608) 266-2112 or (877) 617-1565.

How Much Do You Charge Compared to Plumbers in Milwaukee?

In Milwaukee, the hourly cost of hiring a plumber is determined by factors like the plumber's experience or qualification, the type of plumbing work involved, and the cost of plumbing materials. Considering that the hourly cost of hiring a plumber may vary among plumbers, it is always important to have an idea of what your project may cost. You can achieve this by getting multiple estimates from at least three different plumbers near you.

A plumber in Milwaukee earns an annual average wage of $71,020. Listed below is a breakdown of the average hourly wages for plumbers in Milwaukee compared with plumbers in other parts of Wisconsin and other major cities in the country:

Do You Comply with the Milwaukee Building Code for Plumbing?

Milwaukee regulates home improvement and construction work through the adoption of the Wisconsin Building Code. By adopting and enforcing the Wisconsin Building Code, the city ensures that all plumbing activities, including installation, maintenance, or alteration of plumbing systems, meet the state's minimum plumbing and building standards. When considering hiring a plumber near you, you should ensure that the individual is familiar with the Wisconsin Building Code. This will protect you from liabilities such as fines and statutory penalties due to Code violations.

Per the requirements of Section 101.66 of the Building Code, performing any home improvement or construction work in violation of the Code may attract a fine of not more than $500 per violation. Residents of Milwaukee should also read and understand the Code, as this can help you identify when a contractor is non-compliant. You can direct all inquiries concerning the Building Code to the Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services by calling (608) 266-2112.

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

Anyone who intends to provide plumbing services in Milwaukee must obtain a plumbing permit from the city's Permit and Development Center. Before hiring a plumber in Milwaukee, you should always ensure that the individual is eligible to apply for a plumbing permit in the City. Except for plumbing permits for a one-family building owned and occupied by the same person, all plumbing permit applications can only be made by either a master plumber or utility contractor who has a plumber's performance bond and certificate of liability insurance filed with the City Attorney. The master plumber or utility contractor shall submit plans and specifications for the project alongside the permit fees.

Once a plumbing permit is issued, your plumber can commence work, and inspections can be scheduled as the work progresses. Plumbing inspections are performed by the city's Department of Neighborhood Services via its Plumbing Inspection Section, and you can schedule an inspection with this Section by calling (414) 286-3361. Common plumbing work inspections in Milwaukee include storm sewer inspections, sanitary sewer inspections, waste and vent piping inspections, water distribution piping inspections, and sanitary drains inspections.

What Kind of Plumbing Services Do You Offer?

Milwaukee plumbers offer a variety of plumbing services, including sump pump installation and repair, water heater repair, drain cleaning, bathtub installation, toilet installation, and pipe repair and installation. However, before hiring a plumber in Milwaukee, you should ensure that the individual is competent enough to provide the services you need. You can do this by asking about their years of practice and if they have special qualifications in that particular area of plumbing. You can also ask the plumber to provide references from previous clients who had the same plumbing needs as you. Do not hesitate to contact the plumber's previous clients for more information where necessary.

Listed below are some of the cost estimates for plumbing services in Milwaukee:

Do You Offer Emergency Plumbing Services in Milwaukee?

Milwaukee plumbers offer a variety of emergency plumbing services, which include, but are not limited to, fixing burst pipes, toilet leaks, water shut-off valve failure, failed sump pumps, and sewer backup. Although most plumbing emergencies may look like a minor issue at first, residents must understand that ignoring a plumbing emergency may result in further damage to their plumbing systems and expensive repairs. For example, in Milwaukee, sewer charges are based on how much water you use, and it does not matter if the water was consumed, leaked, or wasted down the drain. Therefore, fixing your plumbing leaks as soon as you discover a fault is very important. You can save more than $10 on water bills by fixing plumbing leaks alone in your home.

While it is necessary to fix any noticed plumbing problem on time, you must also ensure that the individual you intend to hire is qualified and experienced enough to do the job. You can locate qualified and experienced plumbers near you using third-party websites like Better Business Bureau, Google Review, and Yelp. These websites maintain a list of plumbers near you, and they also contain customer reviews, which will help in accessing a plumber's experience, expertise, and professionalism.

However, it is still your responsibility to ensure that the plumber you select is licensed. You can confirm your plumber's state-level license status by utilizing the DSPS license lookup tool. You can also confirm if the individual has obtained the city plumbing license by calling the Department of Neighborhood Services at (414) 286-2268.

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

In Milwaukee, plumbers are required to maintain general liability insurance covering liabilities such as bodily injury and property damage associated with construction work for each calendar year. The general liability insurance shall provide for limits of not less than $50,000 for each person injured or each property damaged during construction work.

Hiring a plumber who has general liability insurance protects you from construction-related financial liabilities such as medical bills for workplace fatalities and the cost of property damage. Taking this step is crucial, considering that the construction and extraction industry accounted for 18% of workplace fatalities across Wisconsin in 2019. You can confirm if your plumber maintains general liability insurance by requesting a certificate of insurance and verifying the information on the certificate from the insurance company that issued the certificate or by calling the city's Plumbing Inspection Section at (414) 286-3361.

In addition to maintaining general liability insurance, master plumbers in Milwaukee are also required to execute and furnish the city with a master plumber performance bond in the penal sum of not more than $10,000. You can confirm whether your plumber has done this by calling the Plumbing Inspection Section at (414) 286-3361.