4 Smart Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Plumber in Snoqualmie and the Eastside
Finding a plumber you can trust isn’t always easy, especially when you’re under pressure from a leaky pipe, a flooded crawl space, or mid-remodel chaos. With so many options out there, it’s essential to know how to tell the pros apart from the pretenders.
At Noble Plumbing, we’ve helped homeowners across Snoqualmie, Sammamish, Issaquah, and the greater Eastside and King County area feel confident in their plumbing decisions. If you’re doing preventive work or fixing a full-blown emergency, here are four smart questions to ask before hiring a plumber.
1. Do I need a plumber, or can a handyman handle this? And how do I know if they’re a “real” plumber?
This is a common question we get, and the answer isn’t always straightforward.
In some situations, a handyman can handle basic repairs. However, if you are altering, installing, or making changes to your plumbing system, it is usually best to hire a licensed and insured plumber, especially if you have never worked with that handyman before.
Plumbing is a regulated trade for a reason. It deals with systems that impact your home’s safety and long-term integrity. Hiring someone without the proper credentials can lead to leaks, code violations, or even worse consequences.
How to check if a plumber is legitimate:
Request their Washington State plumbing license and insurance information.
Use this official Labor & Industries verification tool to confirm the company and credentials.
Double-check expiration dates, the scope of their license (some only cover residential or commercial areas), and any past violations.
Here’s Noble Plumbing’s WA State Profile as an example.
You can do this with any contractor, regardless of trade. Checking credentials is always a smart move.
Curious about what a handyman can legally do? Washington State outlines the specific types of work that require a licensed professional. Here’s the fine print from WA State.
2. How much is this going to cost me?
Let’s be real — plumbing isn’t cheap. However, understanding how plumbers quote their work can help you avoid surprise bills or unnecessary upsells.
Some companies won’t provide a price estimate until they arrive. While it’s true that many plumbing issues are complex and require in-person diagnosis, be cautious of companies that charge dispatch or quote fees solely to show up. Some count on that pressure to make you feel like you have to say yes on the spot.
At Noble Plumbing, we do our best to be transparent. Here’s how we handle pricing:
Trip or diagnostic fees are only charged when special tools or technical expertise are needed to identify the issue.
For straightforward projects that don’t need in-depth assessment, estimates are free.
Once we know what’s going on, we’ll send a detailed quote. No vague numbers or hidden fees.
Here’s something most people don’t know: many plumbing companies pay their plumbers on commission, sometimes up to 100%. Call for a leaky toilet? You might be quoted for a brand-new one instead of a simple $10 repair.
We don’t do that here. Noble Plumbing doesn’t pay on commission. Our plumbers are compensated based on the quality of work, efficiency, and customer satisfaction. That means our team’s goal is to solve your problem, not sell you something you don’t need.
Always ask for the quote in writing, whether that’s an email or a text. And don’t be shy about asking what could cause the cost to change.
3. How do I know the quality of their work if I can’t see it?
Plumbing can feel like a black box. Pipes are hidden in crawl spaces, behind drywall, or buried underground. How can you tell if a plumber did a solid job?
Start with reputation. Online reviews on Google and sites like Nextdoor can give you a sense of a plumber’s reliability and consistency. No one has a perfect record but look for patterns, especially how they respond when things don’t go right.
Want to see for yourself? You’re allowed to ask questions. A good plumber should be willing to:
Walk you through what they did and explain their thinking.
Show you photos of the work, especially if it’s in a hard-to-see spot.
Have a manager or owner double-check the job if something feels off.
Don’t forget to ask about warranties. Most professional plumbing companies provide a minimum one-year labor warranty, and many products come with extended manufacturer warranties.
Here’s a link to Noble Plumbing’s Google reviews if you want to hear directly from our customers.
4. Will they actually pick up the phone when I need them?
Here’s something you can usually tell pretty quickly... do they respond?
Is someone answering the phone, or does it go straight to voicemail?
Do they follow up on emails?
Do they have an office, or is it a one-person operation?
There’s nothing wrong with working with a solo plumber. Just be aware that if they’re out on a job or out of town, they might not be able to respond when you need them most, like during an emergency.
Also, will they be available after the invoice is paid? If something needs to be adjusted or if you have questions, will they ghost you or stay in touch?
At Noble Plumbing, communication is part of our service:
We aim to answer every call in real time. If we miss one, we return it within 5 minutes.
Emails are typically returned within four business hours.
You’ll always know who to contact for follow-up, and we’re here for you even after the job’s done.
Hire a Plumber Who Works for You
Take the time to ask questions, verify credentials, and understand how your plumber communicates. It’s your home, don’t leave it to guesswork.
Whether you’re remodeling your bathroom in Issaquah, replacing a water heater in Sammamish, or just trying to stop a drip in North Bend, hiring the right plumber makes all the difference.
Noble Plumbing is proud to serve the Snoqualmie Valley, the Eastside, and greater King County with licensed, honest, and high-quality plumbing services.
Check out our WA State contractor page for credentials.
