Hiring a plumber should be the easy part of fixing a leak. In reality, it is the step where most homeowners lose time, money, or both. The good news: a 10-minute screen will filter out 90% of the risk. Here is the checklist we use internally when we verify pros on VettaLux, distilled for you.
1. Confirm the license is real and current
Every state (and many counties) runs a public license lookup. Search the plumber's business name and license number on the state board. A real license tells you two things: they passed a trade exam, and they can be sanctioned if they cut corners. If they cannot give you a number, that is your first red flag.
2. Ask for the certificate of insurance — in writing
You want general liability (at minimum $1M) and workers' comp. A certificate of insurance (COI) takes 30 seconds for a legitimate pro to email. If they dodge the question, assume you are the insurance policy.
3. Look at reviews that are tied to real jobs
Anonymous 5-star reviews are free to buy. On platforms where reviews are tied to completed bookings, the pattern is more honest: you see timing, location, and the actual job type. That is why we only surface reviews on VettaLux from verified pros after a job closes out.
4. Get the quote structure in writing
Ask: Is this flat-rate, time-and-materials, or a not-to-exceed estimate? A trustworthy plumber will gladly write it down. Watch for vague language like "plus parts" with no cap — that is how a $300 repair becomes $1,800.
5. Understand the warranty
Good plumbers warranty their labor for at least a year and pass through the manufacturer warranty on parts. Ask specifically: "If this fails in 11 months, who pays?" If the answer is you, keep looking.
6. Watch for emergency pricing traps
After-hours calls are legitimately more expensive, but the markup should be disclosed up front, not added at the end. If you are in an active leak, see our guide on emergency plumbing red flags before you sign anything.
7. Pay through an escrow-backed platform when you can
This is the single biggest protection you have. When funds sit in escrow until the job is approved, the plumber has every incentive to finish the work right — and you have leverage if they don't.
The short version
License, insurance, written quote, written warranty, verified reviews, transparent emergency pricing, escrow-held payment. Find a verified plumber through our verified pros directory and most of that checklist is already done for you.
Ready to book? Start with our pricing page to see exactly what a typical job runs in your market — no surprises, no lead-gen games.