Plumbers in Kansas City, MO

Kansas City Plumbers

The largest city in the state of Missouri and a cultural centerpiece of the Midwest, Kansas City, known as KCMO by locals, is a booming metropolis of over 475,000 people. From its famous barbecue to its popular sports teams, Kansas City has a lot to offer its residents, and, as a result, has been developing a hot real estate market. In fact, as of early 2016, Kansas City had not only recovered from the 2008/9 real estate crisis, but had seen a double-digit increase in home sales along with a low supply of available homes, making it a clear seller's market.

For Kansas City homeowners, selling may be easy. However, standing out in the crowd and getting the most for their money means keeping homes in tip-top shape and adding key upgrades to essential fixtures like plumbing. Hiring a plumber in the Kansas City area is easy, as many contractors from within and around the city service it. However, it is important to pay attention to the rates and qualifications of any pro working on such a critical system within your home.

Local Cost Information

Plumbing services in Kansas City generally cost a bit less than the national average, though not much. As the table below illustrates, everything, from the general hiring of a plumber to major repairs and installations, in Kansas City falls just below or within the range that most homeowners report spending nationally:

License and Insurance Requirements

Missouri state law requires any plumber working in a city of more than 15,000 residents to hold a license issued by the local municipality. In the case of Kansas City, plumbers must apply for licenses from both the City Planning and Development Department as well as the Finance Department. Formal licensing requires an exam, fee, and proof of age, education, and experience. Furthermore, plumbing contractors must obtain liability insurance coverage with a minimum aggregate limit of $1,000,000 and put up a $500 cash deposit with the department of finance.

Homeowners can verify an individual or business plumbing license at the KCMO website. Furthermore, the Mechanical Contractors Association of Kansas City is a local professional organization that includes plumbers. The Local 8 Plumbers and Gasfitters of Kansas City is a union of apprentice, journeyman, and master plumbers in the Kansas City area, and homeowners can verify their plumber’s membership in these organizations to ensure competent service.

Prominent Neighborhoods in Kansas City, MO

KCMO is known for several distinct cultural neighborhoods that provide a rich diversity to the city and offer its residents a variety homes and styles of living. Some of the most prominent of these neighborhoods include:

• River Market
  Known as the home of the Midwest’s largest farmer's market, this downtown neighborhood is popular among young people who live in apartments and condos.
  

• Westport
  Part of the midtown area, Westport is an older neighborhood popular with long-time residents and people looking for tree-lined streets of single-family homes or quiet condominiums. Plumbing retrofitting is a common task here.
  

• Country Club Plaza
  This is one of the oldest neighborhoods in KC. Densely packed single-family homes and small condos line these streets, many of which are owner-occupied. This area is popular among young people and growing families.