Hiring a plumber in Toronto: 7 questions to ask before they show up
You found a plumber. They have decent Google reviews and they answered the phone. Before you book them for that leaking pipe or running toilet, ask these seven questions. They protect you from inflated bills, unlicensed work, and the most common scams Toronto homeowners report.
1. "Are you licensed in Ontario, and can I see your number?"
In Ontario, plumbing is a compulsory licensed trade. That means anyone offering plumbing work for hire must hold a 306A Plumber Certificate of Qualification from Skilled Trades Ontario. No exceptions, no "I've been doing this for 20 years" workaround.
A real plumber will give you their licence number without hesitation. You can verify it free on the Skilled Trades Ontario website. If they hedge, change the topic, or claim "I work under my buddy's licence" — that's a red flag. Hiring unlicensed plumbers can also void your home insurance if anything goes wrong.
2. "Do you have liability insurance?"
A licensed plumber working in your home should carry at least $2 million in commercial general liability insurance. If they cause water damage to your floors, your downstairs neighbour's ceiling, or anything else — their insurance pays, not yours. Ask for a Certificate of Insurance and check the expiry date.
3. "What's your minimum service call charge?"
Most GTA plumbers have a minimum charge (often $100–$180) that covers the first 30-60 minutes regardless of how short the actual fix is. Knowing this upfront prevents the "I just unclogged your drain in 5 minutes — that'll be $200" surprise.
4. "Is this an estimate or a quote?"
An estimate is a rough guess that can change. A quote (or fixed-price quote) is a binding agreement on the price. For predictable jobs (replacing a toilet, fixing a known leak), insist on a written quote, not an estimate. For diagnostic visits where the scope is genuinely unknown, get the diagnostic fee in writing.
5. "Will you pull a permit if it's required?"
Most minor work (faucet replacement, unclogging drains) doesn't require a permit. But anything that touches your main water supply, alters drainage, or involves new pipe installation typically does. A plumber who tells you "we don't need a permit for this" when you clearly do — or who suggests skipping the permit to save you money — is putting you at risk of insurance denial and resale headaches.
6. "What's the warranty on labour and parts?"
Reputable GTA plumbers offer at least 1 year of labour warranty on the work they perform. Parts warranty depends on the manufacturer but should pass through to you. If something they installed fails within the warranty period, they fix it free. Get the warranty terms in writing before you pay.
7. "Can you give me an itemized invoice?"
Itemized invoices break out labour hours, parts (with brand and model), and any disposal or trip charges separately. They protect you in disputes and are required for many home insurance claims. Plumbers who insist on a flat number with no breakdown are usually hiding something — either inflated parts pricing or labour that doesn't match the work.
One more thing: the after-hours premium
Calling a plumber at 11pm on Sunday will cost you 1.5x to 2x the daytime rate. If it's not actually an emergency (water actively pouring, sewage backup, no working bathrooms), shut off the affected line and book a daytime appointment instead. You'll save $200-$500.
Qoro is bringing plumbing to the GTA
Plumbing is one of the next verticals onboarding to Qoro — we're matching customers with identity-checked, 306A-licensed plumbers across the Greater Toronto Area in the coming weeks. Browse Qoro for security services available today, and check back soon for plumbing.
If you're a licensed plumber reading this and want to be part of the founding cohort: apply here — your first 30 days are commission-free.