Before you hire anyone for residential plumbing repair and water heaters

Ask for the CSLB license number and look it up at cslb.ca.gov. Confirm it is active, that the classification covers plumbing, and that the name matches the company on your estimate.

Ask which part failed and whether someone can replace that part alone. Get a repair option and a replacement option in writing, and take a day to decide.

The scope, the equipment model and size, materials, who pulls the permit, removal of the old unit, seismic strapping and the total. Ask about anything vague before you sign.

Ask whether employees or subcontractors will come out, and confirm the license you checked covers whoever shows up.

Ask how they located the leak, what they will open, who repairs the drywall or flooring afterward, and whether rerouting the line could avoid breaking the slab.