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Are You Licensed to Practice as a Plumber in Newark?

According to Section 13:32-1.4 of the New Jersey Administrative Code, all plumbing work in the city must be done or directly supervised by a duly licensed master plumber. Homeowners are generally advised to ensure they hire licensed or registered plumbing contractors, as hiring an unlicensed plumbing contractor increases the possibility of being scammed and can lead to denial of insurance claims if injury or property damage occurs during their plumbing work.

Plumbing contractors in Newark are classified into master plumbers, journeymen plumbers, and apprentice plumbers. The State Board of Examiners of Master Plumbers (SBEMP) is the Board responsible for regulating plumbers in Newark, and this Board also issues master plumbing licenses.

To become a licensed master plumber, interested persons must be up to 21 years old and have completed a four-year approved apprenticeship program. As part of the apprenticeship program, interested persons must acquire experience as a journeyman plumber for one year. However, this apprenticeship program is not required for individuals who have a bachelor's degree in plumbing, mechanical, or engineering fields from an accredited college.

Nonetheless, they must acquire at least one year of practical experience as a journeyman plumber. Interested persons who have satisfied these requirements can apply for a master plumbing license by submitting an application form online, passing a proficiency exam, and filing a $3,000.00 bond. Note that plumbing licenses are required for only master plumbers, as journeymen and apprentice plumbers are required to register with the SBEMP instead.

To become a registered journeyman plumber, interested persons must have completed a four-year state-certified apprenticeship or obtained a bachelor's degree in plumbing, mechanical, or sanitary engineering fields from an accredited college. On the other hand, a person must have trained under a journeyman or master plumber before they can register as an apprentice plumber.

Interested persons can make inquiries regarding plumbing license applications and registration by contacting the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs (DCA) at (888) 656-6225 for callers within New Jersey or (973) 424-8150 for callers outside the state.

To confirm a plumber's license, you can utilize the DCA's license search portal or contact the SBEMP at (973) 504-6420.

How Much Do You Charge Compared to Plumbers in Newark?

The average cost of hiring a Newark plumber depends on the services that are to be rendered. For example, the average cost of unclogging a drain ranges between $100 and $500, while hiring a plumber for general maintenance can cost between $100 and $750. However, it is generally a good idea to get estimates from at least three plumbers near you before settling on one. This helps you compare prices and decide on a plumber that fits your budget.

A plumber in Newark earns an annual average wage of $74,420. Below is a breakdown of the average hourly wages for plumbers in Newark compared with plumbers in other parts of New Jersey and other major cities in the country:

Do You Comply with the Newark Building Code for Plumbing?

When searching for a plumber to attend to your plumbing problems, you should ensure that the plumber you hire is familiar with the applicable Plumbing Code in the city. Newark currently adopts the 2018 National Standard Plumbing Code to regulate the design, installation, and inspection of plumbing and sanitary systems in the city.

This code aims to protect Newarkers from plumbing-related hazards, and it covers several plumbing systems, including vents, fixtures, sanitary drainage, special piping, water storage systems, water supply, and distribution, as well as faucets and fittings. Inquiries regarding the plumbing code and its applicability to your plumbing work can be directed to the Division of Codes and Standards of the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs (DCA) at (609) 292-7899.

Will You Get the Plumbing Permits as Required by Newark Code?

According to Section 5:23-2.14 of the New Jersey State Uniform Construction Code (UCC), which was adopted by Newark, a permit is required for any alteration, repair, or renovation of buildings and all related work involved in these activities, including plumbing works.

The New Jersey Department of Community Affairs (DCA) issues plumbing permits through its Division of Codes and Standards, and homeowners or their hired plumbers can apply for these permits. To apply for a plumbing permit, an applicant must pay the required fees and submit a completed plumbing permit application form to the division at:

Note that depending on your plumbing work, your plumber may be required to submit plumbing plans and specifications together with the permit application. Plumbing permits are typically processed within 20 business days, and your plumbing work can only begin after a permit has been issued. After your plumbing work begins, you are required to schedule an inspection of the work that is being done. This inspection is usually carried out to ensure that the work performed is in accordance with the UCC.

After a final inspection, you can apply for a Certificate of Occupancy, which proves that your plumbing work has satisfied the requirements of the UCC and other city requirements. Inquiries regarding permitting and inspection can be directed to the DCA Division of Codes and Standards at (609) 292-7899.

What Kind of Plumbing Services Do You Offer?

Plumbers in Newark offer a wide range of services, including toilet repair and installation, drain clearing, water heater installation, and many other plumbing-related services. Note that only master plumbers are licensed to perform plumbing works independently, and even though journeymen and apprentice plumbers may have the skill to address your plumbing problems, they must be supervised by a master plumber. Therefore, master plumbers are typically more skilled to offer wider services than journeymen and apprentice plumbers.

However, they may have higher charges compared to journeymen and apprentice plumbers. Nonetheless, when planning for your plumbing project, it is advised that you hire a plumber who can best handle your project and is affordable.

Besides a plumber's skill and experience, other factors like the cost of materials and the complexity of the work also determine how much you may spend on your plumbing work. Below are some common cost estimates for plumbing services in Newark:

Do You Offer Emergency Plumbing Services in Newark?

It is estimated that household leaks waste nearly 900 billion gallons of water nationwide every year. Ignoring water leakage is not advisable, considering that a single-family residence in Newark pays above $55 for water and sewer charges monthly. Hence, ignoring a leaky faucet in your home can lead to more water use and higher water bills. To avoid increasing water bills, it is crucial to treat any plumbing issue in your home as an emergency and immediately have it fixed.

To find plumbers near you who can urgently perform these plumbing fixes, you can check third-party websites like Yelp and Better Business Bureau (BBB). However, ensure any plumber you hire is duly licensed. You can confirm a plumber's license by utilizing the DCA license search portal or by contacting the SBEMP at (973) 504-6420.

Do You Carry the Necessary Insurance Policy for Plumbers in Newark?

Section 13:45A-17.12 of the New Jersey Administrative Rules of the Division of Consumer Affairs states that it is mandatory for all plumbers to have and maintain commercial general liability insurance before registering for a master plumbers license. This commercial general liability insurance policy must have a minimum coverage of $500,000 per occurrence and proof of coverage must be filed with the Director of the Division of Consumer Affairs.

It is ideal to hire plumbers with general liability insurance, as this not only ensures that your plumber is law-abiding but also insulates you against financial liability that may result from professional accidents during your plumbing work. According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, 74 fatal work injuries occurred in New Jersey in 2019, with about 19 of these fatalities occurring amongst construction-related professionals. To confirm if your plumber is duly insured, you can request that they provide proof of coverage and contact the relevant insurance company to verify it.