Plumbers in Jacksonville, FL

Jacksonville Plumbing

When something goes wrong with the plumbing, it is often a bonafide emergency, which is why plumbing professionals are, and continue to be, in high demand everywhere. In fact, nationally there are over half a million men and women who call themselves plumbers and the industry enjoys an annual growth of over 5%. However, the constant need for plumbing combined with the trends towards new construction and green housing in the Jacksonville area keep approximately 1,660 plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters and their more than 300 "helpers" or apprentices busy as they service the homes of nearly 850,000 residents.

Jacksonville residents have a bevy of options when it comes to plumbers, who offer their services in one of two formats, as contractors working on new constructions and renovation projects, or in a general or as-needed basis, completing basic repairs or handling emergency situations.

Service Areas Covered by Plumbing Professionals

The Jacksonville metropolitan area is the largest city in the continental United States in terms of sheer size. The city limits encompass nearly all of Florida's Duval county and include everything from a bustling downtown center, to quieter suburban neighborhoods, to upscale beachside resort areas. Here is a list of six of the major neighborhoods in and around Jacksonville that are covered by the area's plumbers:

Northside

The most rural section in the Jacksonville metro area, Northside used to be largely industrial, but has morphed in recent years to a thriving suburb with desirable riverfront properties and a sleepier feel. With easy access to both downtown and the airport, Northside has a lot of newer homes which range from moderately-priced ranches to large Mediterranean-style villas. The area is popular among families, retirees, and first-time homeowners.

Riverside

One of the oldest sections, Riverside has a rich history that dates back to the early 20th century, when its main thoroughfare, Riverside Avenue, was considered one of the most beautiful streets in the country. As such, this section of the city contains a variety of homes that date back to the early 1900s including bungalows and brownstones. Close to downtown with a variety of trendy shops, Riverside is popular among young professionals and the medical staff of St. Vincent's Medical Center, which is also located in the area.

Southside

Conveniently located off of I-95, Southside is a booming section of Jacksonville that has experienced an exponential amount of development since 1990. Popular among families thanks to a low rate of crime and reputation for good schools, Southside is home to a range of people ranging from working class families to upper middle class professionals living in gated golf communities.

San Marco

Originally built up in the 1920s and modeled after the Piazza San Marco in Venice, Jacksonville's San Marco section is an artsy, funky place popular among singles, young couples, and the homosexual population. The area is full of eclectic shops and bistros as well as home to charming mansions and other properties that date back to the 1920s.

The Beaches

Atlantic Beach, Neptune Beach, and Jacksonville Beach, collectively known as "The Beaches" are among the most sought-after and priciest areas. Popular among families and retirees, everyone who lives in The Beaches area is close to the beach and the lifestyle there is very different than the main areas of the city. With a median home price of $300,000, however, The Beaches is considered one of the more elite areas to live in Jacksonville.

Orange Park (Westside)

Known for its more modest home prices and more rural feel, Orange Park, also known as Westside, is home to the Jacksonville Naval Air Station and still boasts large areas of undeveloped woods. Located about 45 minutes from downtown, this is the section of the city most likely to offer large lots of 2 acres or more.

Local Cost Information for Plumbing Services in Jacksonville

Plumbing services breakdown into two main categories: general plumbing, which is usually needed in more emergent situations, such as clogged drains, burst pipes, and damaged water heaters, and plumbing contractors, responsible for complete installs of piping systems in new builds and renovation projects. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median hourly wage a plumber in Jacksonville charges for these services is $19.08, which is significantly lower than the national average of $24.36.

However, how this translates in the cost per job depends on several factors including the plumber's knowledge of the problem, the extent or size of the area, and the timing of the incident. The following statistics illustrate what homeowners in Jacksonville can expect to pay compared to the national average for common plumbing jobs in both the general and contracting areas:

• General (Emergency) Plumbing Project: Repair a Clogged Drain
• National Average: $199
• Jacksonville Average: $131

• General (Emergency) Plumbing Project: Repair a Water Heater
• National Average: $482
• Jacksonville Average: $344

• General (Emergency) Plumbing Project: Repair a Toilet
• National Average: $194
• Jacksonville Average: $150

• Plumbing Contracting Project: Install a Water Heater
• National Average: $888
• Jacksonville Average: $621

• Plumbing Contracting Project: Install New Plumbing Pipes
• National Average: $1,182
• Jacksonville Average: $1,455

• Plumbing Contracting Project: Install a Faucet
• National Average: $245
• Jacksonville Average: $137

As shown by the data above, in general, the cost to use either emergency plumbing services or to add in plumbing fixtures to your home in Jacksonville is well below the national average in all areas except new pipe installation. This is in line with the lower hourly rate that area plumbers charge as compared to their counterparts across the country.

Licensing and Insurance Requirements 

Regardless of the type of work they do, emergency or renovation, plumbers working in Jacksonville are considered contractors. Therefore, they must abide by the licensing requirements of the state and municipality as well as obtain insurance which protects both them and the homeowners who hire them.

Plumbers Licensing Requirements

The state of Florida requires two levels of licensing for plumbers, what is needed depends on the job being performed. In the case of new builds and renovations, the contractor who hires a plumber to perform certain tasks must hold a state-granted license which allows him to hire the plumber. In addition, each plumber must hold a license, granted by their municipality, in this case Jacksonville, which allows them to perform the required plumbing work.

There are three levels of plumbing professionals recognized by the state of Florida and the City of Jacksonville:

• Apprentice Plumber
• No licensing requirements, but must work alongside a Journeyman or Master Plumber.

• Journeyman Plumber
• Must be over age 18
• Must pay the applicable licensing fee for Jacksonville
• Must take and pass the Florida state licensing exam for Journeyman plumber
• Must have at least 4 years of experience working in the trade or show proof of a completed apprentice program

• Master Plumber
• Must be over age 18
• Must pay the applicable licensing fee for Jacksonville
• Must take and pass the Florida state licensing exam for Master plumber
• Must have at least 7 years of experience in the trade, including 2 as a licensed Journeyman plumber

Obtaining Insurance

All contractors in the state of Florida, regardless of which municipality they work in, are required to acquire three types of insurance: general liability insurance, worker's compensation insurance, and employer's liability insurance. This requirement extends to plumbers in the Jacksonville area. Once acquired, a certificate of insurance is issued by the insurance agent and homeowners should ask to see this certificate before any work commences.

How Plumbing Systems Impact the Value of a Home in Jacksonville

Plumbing is an essential element of all modern homes, as these systems are responsible for bringing fresh water into a home and taking wastewater out. Properly-operating plumbing systems are not only necessary for the completion of day-to-day tasks, such as showering and washing dishes, small plumbing problems can easily lead to expensive damage if left untreated.

Therefore, it is important to maintain the plumbing systems of any home and immediately address any breakages or damage that occurs. In addition, the proper installation of new fixtures during remodel and renovation projects is essential if homeowners want to maintain the integrity of their upgrades and avoid further costs for repairs down the road.