Before hiring any plumber, ask: Are you licensed, bonded, and insured (verify the license at cslb.ca.gov)? Who exactly will do the work? Do you quote before or after starting? What does the warranty cover, in writing? How do after-hours calls work? Can you show references or recent local reviews? Will this work be permitted? And what happens if I'm not satisfied? A professional answers all eight without flinching.
- Every California plumbing contractor must hold a CSLB C-36 license — verify it free at cslb.ca.gov.
- 'Bonded and insured' protects YOU — from unfinished work and from job-site damage or injury liability.
- A firm written quote before work begins is the honest-pricing baseline.
- Warranties only exist in writing — 'we stand behind our work' is a sentence, not a warranty.
- How a company answers the phone at midnight tells you who they are.
Why do these questions matter?
Plumbing is one of the few purchases where the product is buried in your walls and the price arrives before the proof. The eight questions below are how homeowners level that field. None of them are rude — a professional expects every one, and hesitation on any of them is itself an answer. The California CSLB publishes a consumer guide to hiring contractors that echoes most of this list.
The license, bond, and insurance questions (1–3)
1. "Are you licensed?" California plumbing contractors must hold a CSLB C-36 license for jobs over $1,000. Ask for the number and check it at cslb.ca.gov — status, bond, and workers' comp are public. (Ours is #906746.)
2. "Are you bonded?" The contractor's bond is a consumer-protection fund if the job is abandoned or done badly enough to trigger a claim.
3. "Are you insured — liability AND workers' comp?" Without liability coverage, damage to your home is your fight; without workers' comp, an injury on your property can become your problem. "Yes" should come with certificates on request.
The money questions (4–5)
4. "Do you quote before or after the work?" The professional standard: diagnose, then present a firm, itemized price you approve in writing before tools come out. Hourly open-ended billing on residential repair work transfers all risk to you. Our cost-factors guide explains what an honest quote accounts for.
5. "How do after-hours calls work?" Whatever the policy, you want it stated plainly on the phone before dispatch — surprise multipliers at 2 AM are a choice a company makes.
The accountability questions (6–8)
6. "Who exactly is coming to my house?" Employee or subcontractor? Background-checked? The answer tells you how much the company controls its own quality.
7. "Will this be permitted?" For water heaters, repipes, and sewer work in most Valley cities, the correct answer is yes — and the contractor should pull it, not hand that to you.
8. "What if I'm not satisfied?" Listen for specifics: written workmanship warranty, who to call, what happens next. Our answer since 2001 has been simple — work guaranteed to your satisfaction, same number, same team until it's right.
What are the red flags that end the conversation?
- No license number, or excuses about why it can't be shared.
- Cash-only pricing, or a big deposit demanded before any work.
- A quote that can't be put in writing.
- Door-to-door "we noticed a problem with your…" solicitations.
- Pressure to decide right now — real problems survive a second opinion. (We give free second opinions on competitor quotes for exactly this reason.)
About this guide
From the Good News Plumbing & Drain Inc. team — family-owned and serving the San Gabriel Valley since 2001. California C-36 License #906746 (verify it at cslb.ca.gov), bonded & insured, and backed by our satisfaction guarantee. Guidance reflects the plumbing we repair and install across the Valley every week. Last reviewed July 16, 2026.
Sources & standards
Common questions
How do I verify a California plumber's license? +
Free at cslb.ca.gov — search by license number or business name. The record shows license status, classification (plumbing is C-36), bond information, and workers' comp coverage. It takes two minutes and filters out the worst outcomes entirely.
What's the difference between bonded and insured? +
The bond is a state-required fund consumers can claim against for abandoned or substandard work. Insurance covers accidents — liability for damage to your property and workers' comp for injuries. A professional carries all three: license, bond, insurance.
Should I always get multiple quotes? +
For large jobs — repipes, sewer replacements, tankless conversions — yes, it's healthy. Make sure the quotes cover the same scope and code items, or the cheapest number may simply be the least complete. We'll happily be your second opinion.
