7 Questions to Ask Before Hiring Any Plumbing Contractor
- Rosenberg Plumbing
- Jan 15
- 6 min read
Advice from Your Local, Family-Owned Team at Rosenberg Plumbing
If there’s one thing we’ve learned in our 60+ years serving homeowners across Pacifica and the Coastal Peninsula, it’s this: plumbing problems never show up at a convenient time.
A water heater quitting on you right before guests arrive. A leak suddenly staining the ceiling, or a mysterious noise in the wall that makes you stop in your tracks.. Plumbing issues just have a way of turning an ordinary day into a stressful one.
And when you’re staring down a problem like that, you don’t just want any plumber. You want someone you can trust. Someone who’ll give you straight answers, do quality work, and treat your home with the same care they’d give their own.
But here’s the challenge: Who’s qualified? What matters? What’s a red flag?
Now, that’s where we come in.
At Rosenberg Plumbing, our family has been serving this community since 1959. We grew up here. We built our reputation here. And we’ve worked inside thousands of local homes. And we’ve learned exactly what homeowners worry about, and we’ve seen what happens when the wrong contractor is hired.
So today, we want to share the 7 most important questions to ask before hiring any plumbing contractor. Questions that can save you stress, money, and a whole lot of headaches down the road.
Let’s walk through them together, neighbor to neighbor.
1. “Are you licensed and insured?”
The very first question to ask any plumbing contractor, and also one of the easiest to overlook when you’re feeling stressed or rushed.
A licensed contractor has met the state’s training and competency requirements—meaning they know how to safely and properly handle repairs, installations, and diagnostics. Insurance also protects both you and your property in case something unexpected happens during the job.
So if a contractor hesitates, dodges the question, or says, “Yeah, I’m working on getting my license,” that’s your cue to walk away. Fast!
What a trustworthy answer sounds like:
“Yes, we’re licensed, and here’s our license number.”
“We’re fully insured — general liability and workers’ compensation.”
Red flags to watch for:
“Don’t worry about it; I’ve been doing this for years.”
“Licensing isn’t really required for this type of work.”
“Insurance? Well… not exactly.”
Here at Rosenberg Plumbing, we’re licensed contractors, insured, and fully transparent. It’s our responsibility—and we take it seriously.
2. “How long have you been in business?”
Experience matters in every trade, but in plumbing, it can make all the difference.
A company that’s been around for decades has seen just about every possible problem. They’ve navigated older Bay Area plumbing systems, adapted to newer building codes, and even built relationships with the community along the way.
A newer contractor may be perfectly fine for simple repairs, but when it comes to bigger projects—like installing a water heater, fixing a gas line, or replacing a sewer line—you want someone here who has years, if not generations, of hands-on knowledge.
What a trustworthy answer sounds like:
“We’ve been serving this area for years.”
“We have deep experience with local homes and systems.”
Red flags to watch for:
“Well… we just started last month.”
“I’m experienced, but this is my first time running a company.”
“We mostly work outside the area.”
Rosenberg Plumbing has been proudly serving Pacifica since 1959. Now, that’s three generations of family-trained craftsmanship, and thousands of homes that have trusted us through the years.
3. “Do you offer a warranty on your work?”
This question says a lot about a plumbing contractor’s confidence in their workmanship.
Every reputable plumber should offer some type of warranty. It might vary depending on the type of work, but there should always be something in place to protect you after the job’s done.
Now, if a contractor refuses to provide a warranty or says they can’t guarantee anything, think twice. Good work should come with peace of mind attached.
What a trustworthy answer sounds like:
“Yes, we stand behind our work and offer a warranty on both labor and parts.”
“Here’s our warranty policy — you can read it anytime.”
Red flags to watch for:
“Once we leave, it’s your problem.”
“We don’t do warranties.”
“It’s not my responsibility if the part fails.”
For us, we believe in doing the job right. And we back our work with the proper warranties to prove it.
4. “Is this a flat-rate price or an estimate?”
This one can save you from ugly surprises down the road.
Some contractors offer flat-rate pricing, meaning you know exactly what you’ll pay before work begins. Others provide estimates, which can change depending on how long the job takes or what they discover once they get started.
Neither method is wrong. But the important thing is clarity.
You deserve to know exactly what you’re being charged for and what circumstances might change the final cost.
What a trustworthy answer sounds like:
“Here’s what’s included in the price.”
“This is a flat rate — it won’t change unless….”
“This is an estimate, but here’s what might affect the final cost.”
Red flags to watch for:
“I’ll let you know the price when I’m done.”
“It depends… but I’m sure it’ll be fine.”
“Don’t worry about the numbers.”
At Rosenberg Plumbing, we believe in simple, transparent pricing. No tricks. No sudden add-ons. Just honest work at a fair rate—the way it should be.
5. “What’s included in your service call?”
This question helps you avoid confusion about what you’re paying for!
Some plumbing contractors charge for the trip, some for the diagnosis, and some also include the diagnosis in the repair cost. Others charge separate fees for materials, labor, and disposal.
Knowing what’s included helps you compare quotes fairly. And also keeps everyone on the same page.
A trustworthy contractor will tell you up front:
The cost of the service call
What’s included (inspection, diagnosis, initial troubleshooting)
What’s not included
How additional work will be quoted
Red flags:
Vague answers
“We’ll see once we start.”
Surprise fees that weren’t mentioned beforehand
We’ve always believed transparency is part of good service. When homeowners know exactly what to expect, they feel comfortable and confident—and that’s important to us.
6. “Can you provide references or reviews?”
Online reviews tell you a lot about a plumbing contractor’s reliability, consistency, and customer care.
A company with many positive reviews has earned them through real, consistent service. And a contractor who is proud of their work will gladly share references or even point you toward where you can read honest customer feedback.
If a contractor refuses to provide references or has a history of mixed or troubling reviews? Well, that’s something to take seriously.
What a trustworthy answer sounds like:
“Absolutely — here are some recent reviews.”
“We’re proud of our reputation; you can check us out online.”
Red flags:
“We don’t really have reviews.”
“I’d rather not share that.”
“Those negative reviews aren’t our fault.”
We’re humbled to have earned high ratings and decades of long-term customers who trust us with everything from water heaters to gas lines to emergency repairs. And that trust means everything to our family.
7. “Do you specialize in the type of work I need?”
Plumbing covers a lot of ground—from basic repairs to water heater installation to sewer line replacements. Thus, not every plumber has deep experience in every area.
If you’re dealing with a water heater issue, you want a plumbing contractor who works with water heaters regularly. And if you’re handling a gas line repair, you want someone licensed and trained to work safely with gas.
Asking about specialties helps you avoid hiring someone who’s only “kind of” familiar with the job at hand.
A good answer sounds like:
“Yes, we specialize in that type of work and have many years of experience with it.”
“Here are examples of similar projects we’ve completed.”
Red flags:
“Well… I’ve watched a few videos on it.”
“I can figure it out as I go.”
“I don’t normally do that type of job, but I’ll give it a shot.”
Here at Rosenberg Plumbing, some of our core specialties include:
Gas line leak detection and repair
Traditional water heater services
We’ve been doing this kind of work for generations—and we take pride in doing it right.
Bonus Tip: Get Multiple Quotes for Larger Projects
You’ll hear us say this often because we believe in fair comparison:For big plumbing projects, always get more than one quote.
Not because we’re worried you’ll choose someone else—but because we want you to feel confident in your decision.
A trustworthy plumbing contractor will never pressure you or rush you.
Three quotes are usually enough to help you see:
who’s fair
who’s overpriced
and who’s… well, giving you a deal that seems too good to be true. (Those usually come with a catch.)
We’re always happy to provide clear, detailed quotes. Explain anything that doesn’t make sense. Transparency builds trust, and we wouldn’t do business any other way.
Rosenberg Plumbing, Your Local Family Plumbers You Can Always Count On
Whether you hire us or someone else, we want you to feel confident, informed, and protected. These questions are your tools—and we encourage you to use them with every plumbing contractor you speak to.
And if you ever need advice, a second opinion, or help with anything from a leaking faucet to a new tankless water heater, we’re here 7 days a week, ready to lend a hand.
Give Us A Call. We’re here for our community, the same way we always have been.
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