FAQ
Plumbing FAQ: Bids, New Construction, Water Heaters and Softeners
Short answers to what builders and homeowners ask us most.
About Black Forest Plumbing
- Are you licensed and insured?
- Yes. Black Forest Plumbing LLC is a licensed and insured Utah contractor, license #14188786-5501. A certificate of insurance is available for your project.
- What are your hours?
- Mon – Fri 7am – 6pm, Sat – Sun 7am – 5pm.
- Do you do drain cleaning or small repairs?
- No. We are a plumbing contractor for new construction, commercial builds, remodels, water heaters and water softeners. For a clogged drain or a dripping faucet, a service plumber is the right call.
- Do I get a price before the work starts?
- Yes. You approve the price before any work starts. Builds and remodels get a written bid in one to three days.
- Where do you work?
- All of Salt Lake County for every service. In Park City and Summit County we take new construction, remodel and commercial projects.
New Construction Plumbing
- How fast can you turn around a new construction plumbing bid?
- One to three days once we have the plans. A floor plan with fixture locations and a site plan showing the water and sewer connections is enough to price most homes.
- Do you work for homeowners, or only for builders?
- Both. We bid for general contractors and custom home builders, and directly for owner-builders who are running their own project.
Commercial Plumbing
- What kinds of commercial plumbing jobs do you take?
- New commercial construction and tenant improvements. That means plumbing a new building from the ground up, or building out a shell or existing space for a new tenant. We are a plumbing contractor for build work, not a drain cleaning or emergency service company.
- Do you bid as a subcontractor to a general contractor?
- Yes. We bid as the plumbing subcontractor on general contractor projects. Send the plumbing sheets and the bid date and we will get you a number in one to three days.
Remodel Plumbing
- Do you do the whole remodel, or just the plumbing?
- Just the plumbing. We work alongside your general contractor, or directly for you if you are running the remodel yourself. We handle the drains, water lines, gas, valves and fixtures, and the other trades handle the rest.
- Can you move a toilet, sink or shower to a new spot?
- Yes. Sinks and showers are usually easy to move a few feet. A toilet is harder because of the size and slope of its drain. On a main floor over a basement it is often simple, and on a slab it means cutting concrete. We will tell you which one you have before you commit to the layout.
Water Heater Installation
- Can you replace my water heater the same day I call?
- We offer same-day water heater service in Salt Lake County. Call as early in the day as you can, and tell us the size of the tank and whether it is gas or electric so the right unit comes out with us.
- Should I repair or replace my water heater?
- If the tank itself is leaking, replace it, because a leaking tank can't be repaired. If it is not leaking and it is under about 8 years old, a repair such as a new thermocouple, gas valve or heating element usually makes sense. Past 10 to 12 years, most repairs are money spent on a tank that is near the end anyway.
Tankless Water Heater Installation
- What affects the price of a tankless water heater install?
- Mostly the gas line and the venting. A unit close to the gas meter on an outside wall is the simple case. A long gas run or a hard vent route is more work. You get an exact price for your house before any work starts.
- What is the free water softener offer?
- Every tankless water heater install comes with a free water softener, plus up to 20% off the package. Hard water is the main thing that damages tankless units, so we install the two together.
Water Softener Installation
- Do I really need a water softener in Salt Lake County?
- Most homes here benefit from one. Water across the Salt Lake Valley generally tests hard to very hard. You will see it as white crust on faucets and shower heads, spots on dishes, and scale inside the water heater. Your city's yearly water quality report lists the hardness for your area.
- What size water softener do I need?
- It depends on how many people live in the house and how hard the water is. Size is measured in grains. A softener that is too small regenerates constantly and wears out, and one that is too big wastes salt and money. We size it to your household.
Still have a question?
Call during business hours and ask.