Plumbers lack proper licenses, leaving homeowners worried about tile showers
16 posts across 3 communities in the last 60 days; 88% from r/Plumbing.
“I'm in Florida now. Most plumbers don't have licenses as it's not required. Theres guys who can and guys who suck. I'm not saying young plumbers or most plumbers can't or won't. Just that a lot can't. Not a big deal I don't know why everyone's so butthurt about it. Makes me…”
““The local plumbing inspector must issue a permit before any plumbing can be installed, altered, removed, replaced, or repaired. Permits for performing plumbing work are issued only to licensed plumbers.” Massachusetts”
“Insurance claim, hired a general contractor for(Phoenix AZ) shower remodel because of leak about 15k total for job. After shower was retiled and finished I noticed they cracked multiple floor tiles at some point in the process. Finally got them to agree to replace floor tiles…”
Several users express concern that their contractors hired unlicensed plumbers, specifically noting a Class B license and subcontractors with similar limitations. This has led to worries about the quality of work, particularly regarding tile shower installations.
SOURCES (22)
“Insurance claim, hired a general contractor for(Phoenix AZ) shower remodel because of leak about 15k total for job. After shower was retiled and finished I noticed they cracked multiple floor tiles at some point in the process. Finally got them to agree to replace floor…”
“Thank you; I 100% recognize this is an insane idea; but the business owner is paying for the vast majority of costs and I'm in love with my little home above a restaurant and want to make this happen. I'm leaning towards kerdi boarding the space and tile-ing (sp?) everything (have a BIG box of green tiles to use) In the photo with the long closet stretch there is a pipe that is open at the bottom and vents through the roof straight above, I'll check it out and see about using it to v”
“Is it legal to vent with a WYE in this case? New shower fixture, tying into 3” main line below submitted by /u/goph_ [link] [comments]”
“I read the document above. Not sure you are understanding when I say there are no rules or permits or inspections where I live. Very rural. Population is 587 people. Small town. I’ll do it right. Not going to sell. Will be in family for generations. I want to do it right. Will read up more before I start.”
“All of these comments and nobody cites a upc or ipc code. Service plumbers the lot of you. Anyone have a card?”
“I'm in Florida now. Most plumbers don't have licenses as it's not required. Theres guys who can and guys who suck. I'm not saying young plumbers or most plumbers can't or won't. Just that a lot can't. Not a big deal I don't know why everyone's so butthurt about it. Makes me think they don't sweat”
“A lot of plumbing companies will use customer supplied parts. As you already know, the work will not come with a warranty and you may incur additional material costs for things you overlooked. It's gonna be spendy but somebody out there will do it.”
“We hired a GC to renovate our bathroom. The GC hired a plumber to handle the plumbing portion of the reno. The plumber left his apprentice alone in my house to do all the labor while he went to do another job. My state, Rhode Island, uses IPC-2021 as the base with very minor amendments. Question: is it compliant with code to use an unshielded Fernco to connect PVC to ABS drain line that will be behind drywall and a vanity? We have a double vanity getting installed that has a main drain and vent”
“This is a registered/legit company not a handy man. I cropped the install tag out of the photo affixed to the tank if I decide to call them to make it right. It’s been “fine” for almost a year but I am not a plumber… I expect the professionals to know all the rules.”
“I am based in lee county. The company would service Venice to Marco island. In Florida submitted by /u/Optimal-Street8067 [link] [comments]”
“Im a 2nd year apprentice about to go get my tradesman, from what I know, in 2019 the almost abolished the tspbe and the only reason why we still have licenses is because Greg Abbott set an executive order (i apologize if I sound ignorant on legal terms) to stop it from happening. From my understanding this doesn't mean that were safe from our licenses getting taken away, and therefore lowering wages. Is there anything people are doing about this? Are there any directions you think i should p”
“So who did you hire for this custom shower? Were they licensed? We see this alot when people hire plumbers/remodelers/handymen/basement refinishers on Facebook Marketplace or Nextdoor and chose the cheapest bid. Your only option is to remove tile and have it completely redone by someone who is competent and does showers for a living. (check licensing and insurance).”
“When I purchased my home I knew it be a project, as evidenced by one of the bathrooms having pliers instead of handles for the tub/shower. Can anyone identify the brand of this cartridge? Long term solution is to replace the entire thing, but I’d like to have a short term solution of just adding handles. submitted by /u/VrtualKaos [link] [comments]”
“Am a residential homebuilder. Most “licensed plumbers” in our state are guys riding the coattails of actual licensed plumbers, by having them pull all permits/etc… if he is indeed a licensed plumber, he will have a permit under his name; not his company.”
““The local plumbing inspector must issue a permit before any plumbing can be installed, altered, removed, replaced, or repaired. Permits for performing plumbing work are issued only to licensed plumbers.” Massachusetts”
“Both can do it, but I'd recommend using a plumber for this since this is more in their wheelhouse.”
“I'm a handy man, and even I know not to do this. All building codes are available for free on county or state websites. Just have to do a little reading before working on stuff, and be honest with people when you agree to work on their stuff, and don't agree to work on stuff that's way out of your depth. The guy that worked on this has been drowning for a while.”
“A friend who is a general contractor admitted he was "no kinda plumber." But it makes me wonder what happens when you and the GC disagree about how something should be done, whether it's code, materials, process, etc. submitted by /u/Money_Literature9896 [link] [comments]”
“Nope. Class B license who "subcontracted out" to a plumbing company. After further digging this plumbing company only has a class B license as well. No license plumbers. Not sure how plumbing company can have no c36 licensed plumbers.... Is that even legal”
“Any thoughts on this setup underneath my vanity? This is the final product from my over 17k bathroom remodel. I don't think this is up to code (California) but this is pretty much the work that my contractor stands by. Makes me feel even worse that the top of the flexible accordion connection is loose and slides up and down like a ribbed condom. I've lost faith in humanity. Please reddit help somehow spin this where I'm the one wrong and this is a great result. submitted by ”