Hiring a Plumber for an Older Home: Checklist and Questions

Before anyone comes out

Get the license number.Ask for the contractor's CSLB license number and look it up at cslb.ca.gov. Check that it is active and covers plumbing.
Describe the house.Mention the age of the home, whether it has a crawlspace and what pipe you think it has. Share photos and your symptom log.
Ask how they diagnose.For drains and sewers, ask whether they camera the line before quoting. For pressure, ask about a pressure and flow test.
Ask who does the work.Find out whether the company's employees or subcontractors will be on site.

What a written scope should include

The specific problem found and how it was confirmed.
Exactly which pipe, fixtures or sections will be repaired or replaced.
Pipe materials and fittings to be used, including transitions to old pipe.
Where walls, floors or yard will be opened, and who restores them.
Who obtains permits and arranges inspections.
How changes in scope will be handled and approved in writing.
What records you will receive, such as camera footage or photos.

Comparing two or more proposals

Question	Proposal A	Proposal B
License checked at cslb.ca.gov?
Diagnosis method (camera, test, visual)
Scope: what is replaced
Materials and fittings
Wall, floor or yard access plan
Permit handled by
Written change-order process

Questions specific to older homes

How do you connect new pipe to old cast iron or galvanized that stays?
How will heavy cast iron be supported while you work?
How do you protect original floors, trim and plaster?
If you open a wall and find more damage, how will you tell me before proceeding?
Have you worked in houses with crawlspaces and clay laterals before?

Red flags

No license number: Or a number that does not match the name on the proposal.
No diagnosis: A large replacement recommended without a camera run or test.
Vague scope: Nothing in writing about what is included.
Pressure to decide: Urgency that is not explained by an active leak or backup.

Common questions

Where do I check a plumber's license?

At cslb.ca.gov, using the license number the contractor gives you.

Should I get more than one proposal?

For larger jobs like repiping or sewer work, comparing written scopes is a sensible step.

Can I use this checklist with Old Towne Orange Plumbing?

Yes, and with any other contractor. This is a preview site: our phone number is a temporary placeholder and the request form is not yet connected, so ask us, like anyone else, for a CSLB license number you can check at cslb.ca.gov.

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