Best Water Heater Plumber in Sacramento: How to Choose One

Step by step

1. Ask for the plumber's California contractor license number and look it up on the CSLB license check. The status should be active, and the classification should include C-36 Plumbing.
2. Ask to see the pocket license and a photo ID, and make sure the names match.
3. Get at least three written bids for the same water heater size, fuel type and scope of work.
4. Confirm that the plumber will pull the permit with your city or county and that the fee is on the estimate.
5. Check that the estimate lists the model, size, straps, expansion tank, relief-valve drain, venting, haul-away and warranty terms.
6. Keep the down payment to the legal limit, and keep the invoice, permit and warranty paperwork after the job.

Who is the best plumber in Sacramento for a water heater?

There is no single best plumber in Sacramento, and any site that names one is guessing. The right plumber for your water heater is the one who is properly licensed, will do the work to code and will put the price and the scope in writing. Those are things you can check in an afternoon.

This site does not rank or recommend businesses. When you call (916) 712-7030, you talk to an independent local water heater plumber, and you agree on the price and the work directly with that plumber. Use the checklist on this page on whoever you talk to, including anyone you find on your own.

What license should a Sacramento water heater plumber hold?

Water heater work falls under the plumbing contractor license, class C-36, issued by the Contractors State License Board (CSLB). CSLB's classification page describes the C-36 plumbing contractor scope. Replacing a water heater needs a permit, and CSLB says any job that needs a permit requires a licensed contractor no matter how small the price. The $1,000 minor-work exemption does not cover permitted work.

You can check any license for free on the CSLB website. CSLB also says a license number on a business card or bid does not prove the license is valid, so look it up yourself. The record shows the license status, the classification, the business address and bond and insurance information.

How do I check a plumber's insurance, bond and bids?

CSLB's hiring guidance gives a short list. Every licensed contractor must carry a $25,000 contractor license bond, but the bond may not cover several complaints or a large job. Workers' compensation insurance is required when the contractor has employees. General liability insurance is not required by CSLB, so ask how damage to your floor or walls would be covered, and ask for a certificate of insurance.

CSLB also recommends getting at least three written bids on the same scope, and being cautious about a bid that is substantially lower than the rest, since it may leave work out. SMUD makes the same recommendation of at least three bids for heat pump water heater installs.

How should I read reviews of water heater plumbers?

Reviews are useful for patterns, not for star averages. Look for reviews that describe a specific job: a water heater replacement, what was quoted, whether the final bill matched and whether the permit was pulled. A pile of short, vague reviews tells you very little.

Treat reviews as a reason to call, not as proof of a license. Check the license on the CSLB site, and ask a past customer or your building department for references. CSLB suggests asking for references and checking a business address and phone number, which also shows up in the license record.

What should a written water heater estimate include?

A line-by-line estimate lets you compare bids fairly. A quote that looks cheap often leaves out items the inspector will require.

• The make, model and size of the new water heater, and the fuel type.
• The permit and who pulls it. In Sacramento the city charges building permit, general plan, green building and technology fees on water heater permits.
• Earthquake straps. California Health and Safety Code section 19211 requires water heaters to be braced against earthquakes.
• A thermal expansion tank where the water system has a check valve or backflow preventer, and a relief-valve drain run to the outside.
• Venting, gas connector and sediment trap for gas units, or the dedicated circuit for a heat pump unit.
• Haul-away of the old tank, and the manufacturer's warranty terms for the new unit.

Do manufacturer warranties depend on who installs the water heater?

Often, yes. Bradford White's residential warranty does not cover leaks caused by defective installation, including an installation that breaks local codes, leaves out a combination temperature and pressure relief valve or ignores thermal expansion in a closed system. Navien's warranty says it is void if the unit is installed by a non-licensed installer. Rheem's tankless warranty strongly recommends a licensed contractor who is trained on its products, because improper installation may invalidate coverage.

In other words, a plumber who skips the permit or the code items can cost you the warranty. Ask each bidder to name the warranty on the new unit and how they handle a warranty claim.

What are the red flags when hiring a water heater plumber?

Several warning signs come straight from CSLB's guidance. An ad with no license number is a problem, because CSLB says ads must show the license number. A request for a large down payment is another: CSLB says a down payment generally cannot exceed 10 percent of the contract price or $1,000, whichever is less.

Other signs are a plumber who wants to skip the permit, a bid with no itemized scope, pressure to sign the same day and a price far below every other bid. Walk away from any of them.

What local rules matter for a water heater in Sacramento?

The City of Sacramento posts its fee schedule for residential and commercial water heater permits, and most Sacramento-area cities and counties require a permit to replace a water heater. The inspection checks straps, venting, the relief-valve drain and the expansion tank.

If you are switching to a heat pump water heater, the plumber also needs to meet your utility's program rules to earn a rebate. SMUD requires a contractor from its Contractor Network, a permit, a thermostatic mixing valve and a unit that meets NEEA Tier III or IV. A plumber who is not in the network cannot submit the rebate for you.

What if my water heater is leaking or has no hot water right now?

Close the cold-water valve at the top of the tank and turn off the heat: the breaker for an electric unit, or the gas control for a gas unit. If you smell gas, leave the house and call 911, then PG&E. Once it is safe, call (916) 712-7030 to talk to a local plumber and then run through the checklist above, even in a hurry. A quick license lookup takes about a minute.

Frequently asked questions

Available across the Sacramento area

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