To choose a plumber in Florence, SC, check three things before anyone starts work. Confirm the license with the state, ask about permits, and get the price first. Quality Service Company, LLC has served Florence and the Pee Dee since 2003, and this is the list we’d hand a neighbor.
What should you check before you hire a plumber?
A short phone call tells you a lot. Ask these questions of any plumber.
- License. Ask for the license number. Look it up on the SC Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation (LLR) website.
- Insurance. Ask for proof of insurance before work starts.
- Who comes out. Ask if the person at your door works for the company you called.
- How pricing works. Ask about the visit fee and when you’ll see a repair price.
- Permits. Ask if the job needs a permit and who will get it.
- Plain answers. Ask them to explain what’s wrong and why, in words you understand.
Does a plumbing job in Florence need a permit?
Many do. Florence County requires a permit to alter or repair a building. County Building Inspection is at (843) 676-8600.
The City of Florence has its own trade permit form. Water heaters are listed under its plumbing permits.
Ask whether an inspector will check the work. Ask who will get the permit before the job starts. If a plumber tells you to skip it, ask why.
How do you know what a plumbing job will cost?
No one can price a repair they haven’t seen yet. But you can learn how pricing works before anyone arrives.
Ask every plumber the same two questions:
- Is there a fee for the visit, and what does it cover?
- Will I get the repair price before work starts?
If you compare quotes, compare what each one includes. Parts, labor, permits, haul-away and cleanup can all differ.
At Quality Service Company, there’s a fee for the visit. Your tech will quote any repair before starting. If there’s more than one way to fix it, you’ll hear the options and choose.
Why does the age of your home matter?
Older homes need a plumber who explains what they find. Many homes in our area have some age on them.
U.S. Census estimates for 2020 to 2024 show:
- City of Florence: the median home was built in 1983, and 46.7% were built before 1980.
- City of Darlington: the median home was built in 1967, and 68.7% were built before 1980.
- Hartsville: the median home was built in 1978, and 51.5% were built before 1980.
Older homes may still have galvanized supply pipe or cast-iron drains. A plumber should show you what’s there and what it means. Then you can weigh a repair against a larger fix, like replacing a section of pipe.
What should you do before the plumber arrives?
Find your main water shutoff today, before you need it. It’s often where the water line enters the house.
- If a pipe bursts or water is spreading, close the main valve first.
- If the water heater is leaking, turn off its power or gas too.
- Move what you can out of the water’s path, then call.
Freezes are short here, but they do happen. In December 2022, the City of Florence lost at least 20 million gallons of water. A main broke on Christmas Day, and homes, businesses and sprinkler systems leaked.
A leak at night is harder with a newborn or an older parent at home. We run 24/7 dispatch for plumbing. Read what to do in a plumbing emergency.
Why call Quality Service Company?
Our slogan is Locally owned, quality driven, family focused. Here’s what stands behind it:
- Chris McDonald founded the company in 2003. Chuck Polk joined as a partner in 2011.
- We’re independently owned by Chris and Chuck. We’re not a franchise, and we’re not private equity.
- Our people live where we work.
- We have 40+ technicians and 24/7 dispatch.
- We’re BBB accredited.
- HVAC, plumbing, electrical and generators. One company, one number.
See our plumbing services in Florence, or check the towns we serve.
Common questions
How do I check a plumber’s license in South Carolina?
Ask for the license number, then look it up on the SC Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation (LLR) website. Check that the name on the license matches the company you called.
Do I need a permit to replace a water heater in Florence?
Ask before work starts, because the City of Florence lists water heaters on its plumbing permit form. Florence County also requires a permit to alter or repair a building. County Building Inspection is at (843) 676-8600. Your plumber should tell you who will get the permit and whether the work will be inspected.
Can I get a plumber at night in Florence?
Yes, Quality Service Company runs 24/7 dispatch for plumbing. If water is spreading, close your main shutoff valve first. If the water heater is leaking, turn off its power or gas too. Then call (843) 920-2004. There’s a fee for the visit, and your tech will quote any repair before starting.
Does Quality Service Company serve Darlington County?
Yes, Quality Service Company serves Darlington and Hartsville, along with Florence, Manning, Timmonsville, Effingham and Sumter. In the City of Darlington, the median home was built in 1967. Older pipes deserve a clear explanation, so ask your tech to show you what they find. Call (843) 920-2004 or book online.