Get Quotes from Top Plumbers in Lexington, KY

Are You Licensed to Practice as a Plumber in Lexington?

Plumbers in Lexington are regulated by the Kentucky Department of Housing, Building, and Construction (HBC) via the Division of Plumbers. Accordingly, plumbers must obtain a license from the HBC before they can offer services to city residents. If a plumber carries out any plumbing job they are incompetent to carry out; their licenses may be revoked or suspended where deception is established.

An interested party who wishes to obtain a plumbing license must complete two consecutive years of plumbing apprenticeship under the direct supervision of a licensed journeyman or master plumber. To be eligible for a journeyman plumber license, applicants must be at least 18 years old and must have completed two consecutive years of experience as an apprentice plumber.

Also, they must register for a designated exam administered by the State Plumbing Examining Committee, where they must score at least 75%. Master plumber applicants must possess a valid and active journeyman plumbing license for at least two of the last five years, in addition to passing a designated exam with at least 80%. Upon completion of the exams, applicants can download and complete the PLB-2 Journeyman Plumber License Application form or the PLB-1 Master Plumber License Application form, respectively. The HBC runs a reciprocity program that waives licensing exams for individuals from states with licensing exams of equal standard as Kentucky.

Before hiring a plumber in Lexington, you should use Kentucky's HBC's professional license search to verify your intended plumber's license is valid. You can also contact the HBC at (502) 573-2002 for more information regarding all plumbing licensing requirements and any other queries you may have.

How Much Do You Charge Compared to Plumbers in Lexington?

How much plumbers charge in Lexington varies and is commonly influenced by factors such as the costs of materials, permits required, labor, and the expertise of the hired plumbers. This is why it is good to get cost estimates from at least three plumbers before choosing a plumber, as this helps you find a plumber that suits your budget. Apart from that, it also gives you proper insight into the average rate that plumbers in the city charge for the particular plumbing service required.

A plumber in Lexington earns an annual average wage of $63,400. Below is a breakdown of the mean hourly wages for plumbers in Lexington compared with plumbers in other parts of Kentucky and other major cities in the country:

Do You Comply with the Lexington Building Code for Plumbing?

Lexington has adopted the 2020 Kentucky State Plumbing Law, Regulations, and Code Book, also known as the Kentucky Plumbing Code, to regulate the construction, installation, or alteration of plumbing systems within the city. The Code also regulates the issuance of plumbing permits and inspection-related matters. The Code establishes the basic requirements for proper environmental sanitation and safety when installing and maintaining plumbing systems in the city. Therefore, every plumbing project carried out in the city must comply with the Plumbing Code.

Violating any relevant provision of the Code attracts penalties that include fines not less than not exceeding $100 or imprisonment for not more than 90 days. This is why hiring plumbers who are abreast with the Plumbing Code is advisable to ensure strict compliance with the Code. However, you can conduct your due diligence by contacting the Lexington Department of Code Enforcement at (859) 425-2255 for code-related inquiries.

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

The Kentucky Department of Housing, Building, and Construction (HBC), via the Division of Plumbers, is responsible for the issuance of plumbing permits to residents of Lexington. A licensed plumber or homeowner must obtain a plumbing permit before commencing any plumbing project within the city. If a homeowner is applying for a plumbing permit, they must submit a completed affidavit of homeowner form. Plumbing permits can be obtained by completing a printable plumbing construction permit application form and submitting the completed form to the HBC's address provided at the top of the form.

It is important to note that certain plumbing projects require the submission of plans. You can use the online resources provided by the Lexington-Fayette County Health Department (LFCHD) to confirm if your plumbing project requires plan submission. Where plans are required, the applicants can submit the plans alongside a plan application form via mail to the Lexington-Fayette County Health Department at:

Alternatively, an applicant can visit the physical location of Lexington-Fayette County Health Department to submit in person at:

Applicants can also apply for a plumbing permit online. To apply for a permit online, applicants should note that they must create a new user account if they do not have a prior registered account on the portal. After permits have been issued, five inspections will be required at different stages of the plumbing work to ensure strict compliance with city regulations applicable to the project. Applicants can schedule inspections by contacting a plumbing inspector at each relevant stage of the project. After the inspections, the project owner must complete and submit a report of inspections form to the HBC at the address indicated in the form as proof that the inspections have been duly completed. For more information regarding the permitting and inspection processes, you can contact the HBC at (502) 573-0365.

What Kind of Plumbing Services Do You Offer?

When planning a plumbing project, you must ensure that your intended plumber has the expertise to handle such work. Generally, plumbers licensed to offer services in Lexington provide different services, including but not limited to fixing faulty plumbing systems, installation, and maintenance of plumbing systems. As such, you should ensure your intended plumber has the requisite skills to carry out the work and have all the necessary equipment to complete the work successfully.

The average cost estimates of common plumbing services offered by Lexington plumbers to residents of the city include:

Do You Offer Emergency Plumbing Services in Lexington?

On average, household leaks in the country account for the loss of more than 10,000 gallons of water annually. The need to fix a plumbing issue with serious urgency cannot be overstated because it saves you the cost of repairing an extensively damaged plumbing system and prevents water wastage. Common emergency plumbing issues like leaking valves, dripping faucets, clogged drains, and worn toilet flappers can be easily corrected if attended to on time. In this type of situation, you will need to hire the services of a qualified plumber who can handle such emergency plumbing issues.

You can find contact information of emergency plumbers qualified to offer services in Lexington on online platforms like Better Business Bureau, Google Reviews, and Yelp. However, you need to authenticate the licensing status of these plumbers by using the professional license search provided by the Kentucky Department of Housing, Building, and Construction (HBC).

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

According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 2019, 37,800 nonfatal work-related injuries were recorded among plumbers in the country, including Lexington. When hiring a plumber in the city, you must ensure your intended plumber is duly insured so that you do not incur financial liability due to bodily injuries or property damage sustained by plumbers while working on your projects. Plumbers in Lexington must have valid licenses and maintain general liability insurance with a minimum coverage of $250,000.

As such, you must request a copy of your intended plumber's proof of insurance certificate. You can take further steps to verify the certificate is active by contacting the issuing insurance provider. Alternatively, you can contact the Kentucky Department of Housing, Building, and Construction at (502) 573-0365.

Note that plumbers with employees must maintain a worker's compensation insurance policy for their employees. For more information about the city's worker compensation insurance requirement, you can contact the Lexington Human Resources Department at (859) 258-3030.