Hiring a plumber in Baltimore
What is the best way to find a good plumber in Baltimore?
Call 443-863-5471 and we'll connect you with a licensed local plumber who handles your kind of job. Whoever you hire, check their Maryland plumbing license with the State Board of Plumbing and get the price in writing before work starts.
How do I check a plumber's license in Maryland?
Ask for the license number and look it up with the Maryland Department of Labor's State Board of Plumbing. Some areas also have local licensing: Carroll County issues its own plumbing licenses, and WSSC Water licenses plumbers working in its service area, including the City of Laurel.
Will a plumber give a free estimate?
Some contractors quote larger jobs for free after a visit, while many charge a trip or diagnostic fee for repairs. Ask when you book, and whether the fee is credited toward the work.
How can I tell if a plumber is overcharging me?
Get the callout fee, the hourly or flat rate and the parts cost separately, in writing, before work begins. For a large repair, ask to see the problem or a camera video, and get a second quote for anything major that isn't an emergency.
Plumbing costs
How much does a plumber cost in Baltimore?
Angi puts typical Baltimore plumber rates at about $45 to $200 an hour, depending on experience and the job. After hours calls cost more. See the Baltimore plumber cost guide for what drives the price.
Why do plumbers charge a callout fee?
It covers travel and diagnosis. Many contractors credit it toward the repair if you go ahead, so ask before booking.
Is it cheaper to pay hourly or a flat rate?
Flat rates give certainty for common jobs such as drain cleaning or a water heater swap. Hourly can be cheaper for quick repairs. Ask which the plumber uses.
Plumbing emergencies
Can I get a plumber in Baltimore at night or on the weekend?
Yes. Calls to 443-863-5471 are answered 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and we connect you with a licensed local plumber who takes after hours calls. After hours rates are usually higher, so ask for the price before the plumber drives out.
What should I do first if a pipe bursts?
Shut off the main water valve, switch off the water heater, open the faucets to drain the lines, and keep away from water near electrical outlets. Then call. See frozen and burst pipe repair.
Sewage is coming up my basement floor drain. What now?
Stop using water in the house, keep people and pets away, and don't pour drain chemicals into the line. The main sewer line is usually blocked. See sewer line repair.
Is a water problem the city's job or a plumber's?
Water coming up through the street, or a whole block without water, is usually a public main: call 311 in Baltimore City or your water utility. Pipes on your side of the property line, including the sewer lateral, are generally the owner's to repair.
What if I smell gas?
Leave the building without switching anything on or off, then call BGE or 911 from outside. Once the utility has made it safe, a licensed gas fitter can repair the line.
Permits and licensing
Do I need a permit for plumbing work in Baltimore?
Like for like fixture swaps usually don't, but water heaters, new lines, gas piping and sewer work generally do. The licensed plumber pulls the permit. See plumbing permit offices by county.
Do I need a permit to replace a water heater in Maryland?
In most Maryland jurisdictions, yes. The plumber normally pulls the permit, and the installation is inspected for venting, the relief valve discharge and other code items.
How often does a backflow preventer need testing?
At least once a year in most cases, plus after installation or repair. Your water utility's notice gives the deadline. See backflow testing.
Service areas
Do you cover all of Greater Baltimore?
Yes: Baltimore City and Baltimore, Anne Arundel, Howard, Harford, Carroll and Queen Anne's counties. Find your town.
Can a plumber handle an old Baltimore rowhome?
Yes. Rowhomes have tight basements, shared walls and often original cast iron drains and clay sewer laterals. Mention the age and type of your home when you call. See Baltimore City plumbing.
About our service
Is Plumbers in Baltimore Today a plumbing company?
No. We're a free referral service that connects you with licensed, independent local plumbers. We don't perform plumbing work or guarantee contractors' work; the plumber you hire quotes, does and stands behind the job.
Does it cost anything to call?
No. Calling 443-863-5471 is free, with no obligation. You agree the price directly with the plumber before any work starts.
Who pays the plumber?
You pay the plumber directly for the work they do. We don't set or collect prices.