Best Plumbers in Memphis, TN of 2026

Choosing the right plumber in Memphis means verifying licensing, reading reviews and comparing timelines and quotes. Knowing what to look for before you need a plumber puts you in a much stronger position when something goes wrong. Work through these four steps before signing anything.

1. Verify licensing and insurance

Memphis and Shelby County license master and journeyman plumbers locally, while Tennessee requires a state contractor license for plumbing projects of $25,000 or more. Apprentices must work under required supervision.

Verify applicable state credentials through Tennessee's license search and ask for proof of insurance before hiring.

2. Read reviews

Online reviews and word-of-mouth recommendations from neighbors, family and friends remain among the most reliable tools for evaluating a plumber's track record. Look for patterns in the feedback — consistent praise for upfront pricing, punctual arrivals and clean workmanship is a strong signal.

3. Understand timeline and pricing

Before work begins, confirm how long the job is expected to take and how billing is structured — hourly or flat rate. Ask how cost overruns are handled if conditions behind the wall turn out to be worse than expected. A reasonable deposit on a large job is normal, but full payment up front is a red flag.

Plumbers in Memphis commonly charge a service-call fee of $75 to $200 to cover dispatch, fuel and initial labor. If you're located in an outlying area like Covington or Hernando, that fee may be on the higher end. Confirm whether it applies toward the total if you proceed with additional repairs.

4. Get multiple quotes

Collecting at least three written bids before committing to any plumbing project is a sound practice. Make sure every quote covers an identical scope of work, and ask each contractor what circumstances could push the price higher. For routine repairs under $500, formal written quotes may not be necessary.

Many plumbing jobs require opening walls to reach pipes — ask each contractor whether drywall patching is part of their scope or something you'll need to arrange separately. Confirm that permit and inspection fees are factored into the estimate before you sign.

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Licensed plumbers in Memphis generally bill between $75 and $160 per hour, though many larger projects carry a flat rate rather than an hourly charge. Here’s a rough idea of what you’ll pay for common Memphis plumbing jobs:

• Service call/dispatch fee: $75 to $200
• Drain cleaning (single drain): $140 to $350
• Toilet repair: $130 to $350
• Toilet installation: $180 to $500
• Faucet/fixture replacement: $175 to $450
• Tank water heater installation: $1,100 to $2,400
• Tankless water heater installation: $2,400 to $5,200
• Slab leak repair: $750 to $4,500
• Sewer line repair or replacement: $3,000 to $15,000
• Water softener installation: $900 to $2,300

What you ultimately pay depends on the complexity of the work and what a plumber finds once the job is underway. Sewer and slab repairs in particular can surface additional issues once excavation begins.

» LEARN: How home warranties handle plumbing issues

Local rebates and incentives

Large plumbing upgrades carry real upfront costs, but Memphis homeowners have multiple avenues to reduce out-of-pocket expenses. Bring these up when you're collecting quotes:

• TVA EnergyRight home energy rebates: MLGW customers may qualify for TVA EnergyRight rebates on eligible home energy upgrades, including certain high-efficiency water-heating equipment. Availability, contractor requirements and rebate amounts depend on the address and current program rules.
• Water utility rebates: Memphis Light, Gas and Water (MLGW) may offer rebates on high-efficiency toilets, smart leak detectors or WaterSense-certified fixtures.
• Promotional financing: Many plumbers serving Memphis offer 0% APR promotional financing for 12 to 36 months on larger projects such as full repipes or sewer line replacement — worth asking about when you compare bids.

Memphis homeowners deal with a specific set of plumbing challenges shaped by the city's climate, soil composition and housing stock. Here are the five issues that come up most often:

Schedule sewer camera work before spring storm season exposes weak laterals.

• Freeze-thaw pipe breaks: Memphis winters are usually mild, but sudden Arctic outbreaks can push temperatures well below freezing. Uninsulated crawl-space lines and exterior-wall plumbing can burst when temperatures rebound.
• Expansive clay movement: Shelby County's clay-rich soils shrink during dry periods and swell after heavy rain. That movement can stress buried water lines, sewer laterals and slab plumbing.
• Storm sewer backups: Intense thunderstorms can overwhelm drainage systems and expose weak private laterals. Low fixtures and basements are more vulnerable when roots, grease or damaged pipe already restrict flow.
• Older cast-iron drains: Midtown and older Memphis neighborhoods contain cast-iron and galvanized plumbing that may be decades old. Corrosion, scaling and failing joints can cause slow drains, leaks and recurring backups.
• Tree root intrusion: Large oaks and other mature trees seek moisture around aging sewer joints. Roots can enter clay or cast-iron laterals and create repeated clogs unless the damaged pipe is lined or replaced.

Hiring someone who doesn't meet Memphis licensing and permit requirements can lead to failed inspections and unsafe plumbing work. Here's what to confirm:

• State licensing: Tennessee requires a contractor license with a CMC or CMC-A classification for plumbing projects of $25,000 or more. A Limited Licensed Plumber license generally applies to smaller projects, but plumbers licensed by the municipality or county where they work are exempt from that state LLP requirement.
• Local licensing and permits: Memphis and Shelby County locally license master and journeyman plumbers and register apprentices. Journeyman plumbers work under a master plumber, who procures the permit for their work. Required plumbing permits can be pulled by a licensed plumbing company.
• Insurance and bonding: State-licensed contractors must carry general liability insurance based on their monetary limit and workers' compensation unless exempt. Memphis and Shelby County require registered or licensed plumbing contractors to maintain a $25,000 permit bond.
• Code compliance: Memphis and Shelby County use the 2022 Joint Plumbing Code, which adopts the 2021 International Plumbing Code with local amendments.