Hiring under pressure

A burst pipe rattles anyone, and that is the moment to spend two minutes confirming who you are letting into your home. Once the main is closed, the water stops getting worse, which gives you time to check a license and ask for the plan in writing. That includes us.

In California, plumbing contractors are licensed by the Contractors State License Board, the CSLB. Anyone can look up a license number for free at cslb.ca.gov.

Checking a CSLB license

  1. Ask for the license number.A licensed contractor should give it readily, and it often appears on estimates and vehicles.
  2. Look it up at cslb.ca.gov.Use the license lookup to confirm the name matches the business you are dealing with.
  3. Check the status.Confirm the license is active and review any listed disciplinary actions.
  4. Check the classification.Plumbing work is normally done under a plumbing classification; ask if you are unsure what the listed one covers.
  5. Check bonding and workers' compensation.The lookup shows bond information and workers' compensation status.

Permits at a glance

Who issues them
The City of Fullerton's building department
Often needed for
Repiping, water heater replacement and some larger line replacements
Often not needed for
Small like-for-like repairs, but confirm with the city
Who usually pulls it
The licensed contractor doing the work
Fees and rules
Check with the city; this site does not quote them

Red flags

  • Will not give a license number, or the name does not match the lookup
  • Asks you to pull the permit as an owner-builder for their work
  • No written estimate or scope before starting a large job
  • Pressure to approve a repipe on the spot during an emergency
  • Demands full payment in cash before any work
  • Vague about who will do the work

Questions to ask any plumber

  1. What is your CSLB license number?
  2. Will your employees or a subcontractor do the work?
  3. Does this job need a permit, and will you pull it?
  4. Can I have the scope and price in writing before you start?
  5. How will you find the break, and how large will openings be?
  6. What testing will you do when the repair is complete?
  7. Is my Fullerton address in your service area?

Common questions

Is a handyman allowed to fix a burst pipe?

California limits what unlicensed workers can do, based on the size of the job. For anything beyond very small work, use a licensed contractor and check the rules with the CSLB.

What happens if work was done without a required permit?

It can complicate inspections, insurance claims and a future sale. Check with the City of Fullerton about permitting after the fact.

Should I get more than one estimate?

For an emergency repair, one licensed plumber is usually fine. For a larger planned job like a repipe, comparing written estimates is worth the time.

General information for Fullerton, not a quote or professional advice. In an emergency, call 911.