Plumbing problems show up at the worst possible time, and that urgency is exactly what bad operators count on. Here are the red flags that should make you pause before signing the work order.
1. No License or Won’t Show It
In Washington state, plumbers and contractors must be licensed. A reputable plumber will tell you their license number without hesitation. If they hedge, change the subject, or claim it’s “not needed for this job” — walk away.
2. No Proof of Insurance
Insurance protects you when something goes wrong on your property. Stollwerck carries insurance above Washington state mandates because the cost of being underinsured is much higher than the cost of premiums. If a plumber can’t produce a current insurance certificate, you’re the one absorbing the risk.
3. Pricing That Doesn’t Make Sense
Suspiciously cheap quotes usually come with surprises later — “additional materials,” “unexpected complications,” padded labor hours. The other extreme is the high-pressure upsell at the truck before any real diagnosis. Honest plumbers diagnose first, then quote.
4. Refuses to Pull Permits
Some plumbing work — gas, sewer line replacement, water heater replacement — requires a permit. A plumber who suggests skipping the permit to “save you money” is shifting liability onto you. The next homeowner’s sewer scope or appraisal will turn up unpermitted work, and you’ll pay for it then.
5. Cash Only
Plumbers who only take cash are often dodging taxes, insurance, or both. Pay by credit card or check whenever possible — there’s a paper trail if a dispute arises.
6. No Guarantee on the Work
Reputable plumbers stand behind their work. Stollwerck offers a 1-year guarantee on every job. If a plumber waves off the question of guarantees, ask yourself why.
7. Bad or No Online Presence
You don’t need a flashy website, but if a plumber has zero reviews, no business listing, no traceable history, you’re hiring on faith alone. Look at Google reviews and the BBB. Patterns of similar complaints — late, didn’t finish, charged more than quoted — are telling.
None of these red flags are deal-breakers in isolation, but a stack of them is. A licensed, insured plumber who pulls permits, prices honestly, and stands behind their work shouldn’t be hard to find. We’d like to be on your shortlist.