Questions to ask on the first call
- "What's your SC license number?" Then check it on LLR.
- "Is there a trip or diagnostic fee, and is it credited if I hire you?" In our survey of Greenville-area company websites, posted trip fees were $79 and $89.
- "Is there an after-hours rate right now?" No company we surveyed posted the amount, so ask.
- "Do you work in my town often?" It matters for permits: Mauldin, Simpsonville, Greer and Greenville each have their own offices.
- "Can you give me the price in writing before you start?"
What matters depends on the job
| Job | What to look for |
|---|---|
| Emergency (burst pipe, sewage backup) | Who can come soonest, and the after-hours rate. Shut off the water first; see our emergency guide. |
| Water heater replacement | Same-day stock, the permit included, haul-away included, and the labor warranty in writing. |
| Sewer line | A camera inspection with footage you can see, and more than one repair option. |
| Repipe | PEX experience, the permit, and whether wall patching is included. |
| Gas work | Licensed for gas piping, and a pressure test after the work. |
| Older home | Experience with galvanized, cast iron and clay laterals; see our older homes guide. |
Have a job in mind? Call a local plumber
Comparing two prices fairly
Two quotes only compare well when they cover the same work. Line them up and check:
- The exact work and materials (tank size and fuel, pipe type, length of line).
- The permit and inspection.
- Haul-away of old equipment, and restoring the yard, wall or floor afterward.
- The labor warranty, separate from the manufacturer's warranty.
- When payment is due. A small deposit on special-order equipment is normal; a big deposit on a routine repair isn't.
Our Greenville plumber cost guide shows published price ranges for 30 jobs, so you can tell whether a quote is in the normal range.
Reading reviews sensibly
- Look for recent reviews that describe the same kind of job as yours.
- Read how the company responds to the bad ones. A calm, specific reply is a good sign.
- A handful of detailed reviews tells you more than a pile of one-line ratings.
- Check that the business name on the reviews matches the license.
When to walk away
- No license number, or a license under a different name.
- No written price, or a price that jumps on site with no explanation.
- "We don't need a permit for that" on a water heater or repipe.
- Pressure to sign today on a job that isn't an emergency.
- A water softener pitched on Greenville Water without a measured hardness test (Greenville Water reports about 5–7 mg/L, which is soft).
Why a local company helps here
Greenville County has several water and sewer providers (Greenville Water, Greer CPW, MetroConnects, city systems), and several permit offices. A plumber who works here every week knows who to call about the meter, which office pulls the permit, and that in MetroConnects areas you should call MetroConnects first in a sewer backup. Our who-owns guide explains that last one.
Ready to talk to a local plumber?
Choosing a plumber: questions
How do I find a good plumber in Greenville, SC?
Choose a company that works in your town, has an active SC license you've checked, tells you the trip fee up front, and gives a written price before starting. For bigger jobs, get two written prices.
Should I always get more than one quote?
For emergencies and small repairs, one trusted company is usually fine. For jobs over about $1,000, such as a water heater, sewer line or repipe, two written prices are worth the time.
Is the cheapest plumber a bad choice?
Not necessarily, but a price far below the others often leaves something out, commonly the permit, haul-away or warranty. Compare line by line.
What warranty should a plumber give?
Ask for the labor warranty in writing. Many companies offer a year or more on their workmanship, separate from the manufacturer's warranty on equipment.
Is it rude to ask a plumber for their license?
Not at all. Licensed companies get asked all the time and answer immediately. Hesitation is useful information.
Can I ask the plumber to show me the problem?
Yes. Ask to see the leak, the failed part or the camera footage before agreeing to a major repair. Good companies are happy to show you.
Sources
- GVL Plumbers survey of 42 Greenville-area plumbing company websites (36 reviewable), October 2026.
- SC LLR licensing; City of Mauldin, City of Simpsonville and Greenville County permit requirements.
- Greenville Water 2026 water quality reports (hardness); MetroConnects Lateral Maintenance Policy (2023).
Page history
October 2026: first published.