Should You Hire Freelance Plumbers?

Hiring someone off a neighborhood app or a classified listing to fix a plumbing problem feels like a reasonable shortcut. It’s cheaper upfront, it’s fast, and you get someone at your door the same day. But when water is involved, cutting corners rarely stays cheap for long. The honest answer? For anything beyond a dripping faucet, hiring a licensed, professional plumbing company is the smarter call every single time.

Whether you’re dealing with a backed-up line that needs drain cleaning in Tempe, AZ or something running deeper in your system, who you call makes all the difference.

What “Freelance Plumber” Actually Means

Not all unlicensed plumbers are unreliable. Some are genuinely skilled. But hiring someone operating without a license means that if something goes wrong, you’re the one holding the bill, and possibly a failed home inspection down the road.

Here’s what you’re risking when you skip a licensed pro:

• No liability coverage if your property is damaged during the job
• Work that doesn’t meet local building codes
• Voided homeowner’s insurance claims tied to unpermitted work
• No warranty on parts or labor
• Zero recourse if they disappear after the job

When the Problem Is Bigger Than It Looks

A slow drain often signals something structural happening inside your pipes. Cracks, root intrusion, or collapsed sections require proper drain repair, not just a chemical pour or a quick snake. A freelancer without the right tools may address the surface symptom and miss what’s causing it entirely.

Replacement Requires the Right Credentials

If a pipe is beyond saving, drain replacement involves pulling permits, adhering to local plumbing codes, and using materials that meet regional standards. In Arizona, that means following guidelines set by the Arizona Registrar of Contractors. An unlicensed contractor cannot legally pull those permits, which puts the liability squarely on you as the homeowner.

Underground Problems Demand Licensed Expertise

Sewer repair is one of the most technically demanding services in residential plumbing. The work involves diagnosing line damage, understanding soil conditions, and restoring flow without compromising surrounding infrastructure. Getting this wrong doesn’t just create a mess. It can mean sewage backflow, foundation damage, and city code violations.

When Your Line Needs to Be Replaced Entirely

Sewer replacement is a significant undertaking that licensed plumbers approach with camera diagnostics, proper excavation or trenchless methods, and documented completion. No freelancer operating without insurance should be anywhere near a job this size.

Questions Worth Asking Before You Hire Anyone

What license and insurance should a plumber carry in Arizona?

In Arizona, that means following guidelines set by the Arizona Registrar of Contractors and holding a CR-37 Plumbing license. Always ask for both before work begins.

Can a freelance plumber legally pull permits in Arizona?

No. Only licensed contractors can apply for plumbing permits through the city. Unpermitted work can complicate home sales and insurance claims.

Are warranties standard with professional plumbing companies?

Reputable companies stand behind their work with written warranties on both labor and parts. Freelancers rarely offer this.

The Right Call for Your Home

Gold Star Plumbing & Drain has spent over 25 years earning the trust of Arizona homeowners, one job at a time. Before you call that number from a neighborhood post, ask yourself what you’d do if something went sideways. Then call a team that’s accountable, credentialed, and ready to back their work.

Here’s what you get when you choose us:

• Licensed and insured technicians on every job
• Warranties
• Financing options available for larger repairs or replacements
• Same-day service when you can’t afford to wait
• Fair, transparent pricing with no surprise charges
• Highly trained technicians with over 25 years of industry experience
• Family-owned and operated, so your home is treated like ours
• Available 24/7 for emergencies, any day of the year
• Over 1,400 satisfied customers and an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau

Don’t leave your plumbing in the hands of someone who won’t be around if things go wrong. 

Call Gold Star Plumbing & Drain today and we’ll get the job done right the first time.