120 licensed plumbers

Licensed Plumbers in Seattle, WA

Seattle plumbing covers everything from Ballard craftsmans with original galvanized supply lines to South Lake Union high-rises on commercial systems. Older neighborhoods like Capitol Hill, Wallingford, Queen Anne, and the Central District frequently need cast iron sewer replacement, water main repair under heaved sidewalks, or full repipes to clear out brown-tinted hot water. New construction in Belltown, SoDo, and the Denny Triangle skews toward tankless installs, pressure regulation, and commercial backflow certification. Every plumber listed here serves the city of Seattle and is verified active with the Washington State Department of Labor and Industries.

Seattle housing splits sharply by era. Pre-war homes in Ballard, Capitol Hill, Queen Anne, and Wallingford still carry galvanized supply lines, cast iron drains, and clay side sewers, while post-2000 towers in Belltown and South Lake Union run commercial-grade systems with backflow assemblies. Plumbing permits are issued by Public Health Seattle and King County, side sewer permits by SDCI, and since 2025 even a like-for-like water heater swap requires a permit.

What plumbing work costs in Seattle

ServiceTypical cost
Drain cleaning$120 - $600
Water heater repair or replacement$960 - $3,000
Emergency plumbing$175 - $4,000+
Sewer scope inspection$250 - $1,160
Sewer line repair$1,200 - $4,800+
Whole-home repiping$2,400 - $18,000

Puget Sound area ranges. See the Seattle plumbing cost guide for hourly rates, trip fees, and what drives each range.

Seattle plumbing questions

How much does a plumber cost in Seattle?
Standard plumbing labor in Seattle runs $90 to $200 per hour, and most companies add a $75 to $200 trip fee to cover travel and parking. Emergency calls on nights and weekends carry premiums of $100 to $250 per hour on top of standard rates. Larger jobs like repipes and sewer replacements are bid flat rather than hourly.
Do I need a sewer scope before buying a Seattle home?
For any Seattle home built before about 1980, yes. Side sewers in Seattle are the homeowner's responsibility all the way to the city main, so a $250 to $500 scope can surface a $10,000+ problem before you close. Root intrusion into clay-tile side sewers is one of the most common findings in the older neighborhoods.
Who issues plumbing permits in Seattle?
Public Health Seattle and King County (PHSKC) issues plumbing permits citywide, and the Seattle Department of Construction and Inspections handles side sewer permits. Water heater replacements have required a permit since 2025, and any licensed plumber should include the permit in their quote.