Trade guide
Fixtures, water heaters, supply repipes and drain lines. Leaks hidden in walls can cause major damage, so good work and testing matter.
Use this as a checklist while the job is underway. If a step is skipped, ask why.
Durations are typical planning ranges from Corky's field experience, not guarantees. Weather, inspections, material lead times and surprises behind walls change them.
Fixture swaps and water heaters are often done in a day. Repipes and drain replacements can take several days plus wall and floor repair.
Plan your dates with the Project Timeline Planner
General guidance only. Your contractor's written schedule is what counts.
Which inspections apply depends on your city or county. Ask your contractor to share each passed inspection result. Understanding permits & inspections
See a ballpark range in the free calculator · Look up material prices
Check off each item on the bids you receive:
How to read a bid · Have one in hand? Second Look Review (from $25)
Service calls are paid on completion. Projects: deposit, payment after rough inspection, balance after final.
Also watch for the general warning signs: large upfront payments, cash-only, no written estimate, pressure to sign today and no proof of license or insurance.
Get the answers in writing, in the contract. Always ask for the contractor's license number and proof of insurance, and check the license with your state or local licensing agency. How to hire a contractor · Quick question? Contractor's Desk ($5)
Water heaters and fixtures carry manufacturer warranties (read tank vs parts vs labor terms). Get the plumber's labor warranty in writing.
Expect two kinds of warranty: the manufacturer's product warranty (shingles, windows, fixtures, equipment) and the contractor's workmanship warranty on the installation. Get both in writing with the length, what is covered and how to make a claim. Many product warranties require registration or installation per the manufacturer's instructions. In Arizona, a homeowner can file a workmanship complaint against a licensed contractor with the Registrar of Contractors within two years of the last work performed on a remodel or repair.
Some work legally requires a licensed contractor and a permit even on your own home. Check your state and city rules.
Water heaters, repipes, new drain lines and moving fixtures usually require a permit and inspection. Permit rules are set by your city, county and state, so they vary a lot. Call or check the website of your local building department before work starts. When a permit is required, the licensed contractor usually pulls it in their own name.
General information, not legal advice. Requirements vary by location.
Check a contractor license: search your state's contractor licensing board, or find your state consumer protection office. External sites open in a new tab; Corky's MHS™ is not affiliated with them.
Educational information only - not legal, engineering or code advice. Rules vary by state, county and city, and change over time. Check with your local building department and licensing board, and read your own contract.
A Second Look Review puts an independent set of eyes on the pricing, scope and missing items before you sign. Just have a question? The Contractor's Desk answers it for $5.