What is a plumbing specialist?

What is an ”any plumber”?

California has licensed plumbing contractors, those who can pass a test, and journeyman plumbers who have 4 years of night school and thousands of on the job training. California also has unlicensed people doing plumbling work.

Are you moving/opening walls, electrical, piping? Are you changing finishes on floors, walls, ceiling? If you do those things, you need more than a unclog-the-drain-plumber.

Yes. Opening all walls. New fan. Pretty much a strip down and rebuild.

I do not know the way construction works in your area, in CA, you would want a general contractor who will hire (sub contract) speciality workers who have specific contractors licenses, e.g. plumbing , electrical, carpenters , drywall, painters.

Or you could hire a handyman with no licenses, but a lot of experience.

Angies, google, your local realtor, neighbors may be able to help you find workers.

The plumber needs to arrive on Day #1 (demolition) to disconnect the drain assembly for the tub and cap water supply lines. The plumber needs to return to install rough plumbing before the walls are closed (plumbing before electrical because pipes are thicker than wires). The plumber installs the toilet after the bathroom floor is tiled. The plumber returns after the shower walls are tiled to install trim on the shower fittings.

If you choose plumbing fittings made in Europe (such as Dornbracht or Samuel Heath), you will need an expert plumber or at least someone who is willing to read the installation directions.

If you are in CA, first you need to obtain a permit from the City for the remodel. You can hire an architect to prepare the drawings needed.

In CA, you have several choices for hiring a plumber for a remodel (assuming that you have received approval from the City):

1. Hire a licensed General Contractor (GC) to pull the permit, someone who has no employees and subcontracts to licensed tradespeople
2. Hire a licensed GC to pull the permit, someone who carries worker's comp insurance for his employees and has a plumber (unlicensed or suspended license) working under his GC license
3. Pull the permit yourself as an "Owner / Builder;" hire a licensed plumber for the plumbing work; a licensed electrician for electrical, and so on
4. Hire three licensed tradespeople to each pull permits in their specialty (carpenter for framing, plumber, and electrician, but not the tile setter); these are the specialties whose work requires building & safety inspections during the remodel
5. Purchase all the materials yourself and hire a handyman but pay him/her no more than $500 for the entire job