Plumbers in
San Luis Obispo, CA
10 plumbers listed in San Luis Obispo
Licensed plumbers in San Luis Obispo handle everything from routine repairs and fixture installations to complex repiping and sewer line work. Whether you have an emergency leak or planning a bathroom renovation, San Luis Obispo plumbers can help.
Plumbers in San Luis Obispo at a glance
- 10 plumbers are listed in San Luis Obispo, CA on Ratedeed.
- 10 of the 10 listings shown here include a phone number you can call directly.
- Listings cover 4 ZIP codes in and around San Luis Obispo: 93401, 93405, 93408, 93410.
Plumbers elsewhere in California: Los Angeles (131), San Diego (104), San Jose (89), San Francisco (78), Riverside (62), Sacramento (60)
Homes and plumbers in San Luis Obispo: the local numbers
Housing in San Luis Obispo
- San Luis Obispo has about 22,250 homes (housing units).
- The typical (median) home was built in 1977, close to the California median of 1976.
- 57% of homes were built before 1980 and 23% before 1960; 8% were built in 2010 or later.
- The median value of an owner-occupied home is $935,100.
- 40% of occupied homes are owner-occupied and 60% are rented.
- 46% of homes are single-family detached houses.
- The most common heating fuel is natural gas from a utility (62% of homes), followed by electricity (31%).
- The median home has 4.5 rooms.
- Median gross rent is $1,965 a month.
- Home values run 27% above the California median of $734,700.
- Most occupied homes here are rented (60%), so tenants should get their landlord's approval before hiring anyone for repairs or alterations.
Older homes like the 57% of San Luis Obispo homes built before 1980 were commonly plumbed with galvanized steel supply pipes and cast-iron drains, which corrode with age, so repiping and drain-line replacement are common jobs in older housing.
With most San Luis Obispo homes on natural gas (62%), gas water heaters are common; replacing one involves venting and gas-connection work that is usually permitted and inspected.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020–2024 5-year estimates (San Luis Obispo, CA).
Plumbers workforce in the San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA area
- Median hourly wage
- $30.33
- People employed
- 320
- In the San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA metro area, plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters earned a median of $30.33 an hour ($63,090 a year) in May 2025, and the middle 80% earned $23.25–$54.75.
- About 320 people work in this occupation in the metro area.
- These are what workers earn, not what plumbers charge: a contractor's hourly rate also covers insurance, licensing, vehicles, overhead and profit.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 (Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters).
Climate in San Luis Obispo and what it means for plumbers
- The average temperature in San Luis Obispo is 59°F; summer afternoons average 77°F and winter nights 41°F.
- It gets about 19 inches of precipitation a year.
- There are about 7 nights a year at or below freezing and about 8 days at 90°F or hotter.
- It is a heating-dominated climate: about 2,387 heating degree days a year against 288 cooling degree days.
Source: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, San Luis Obispo Mcchesney Field station USW00093206 (7 km from the city centre).
Top Plumbers in San Luis Obispo
Listings include contact details and service areas. Check licensing with your state board before hiring.
More plumbers elsewhere in California
Listed in other California cities, not in San Luis Obispo.
Licensing and consumer protection in California
Check that any plumber you hire is licensed and insured before you sign a contract or pay a deposit.
Who regulates this trade
California Contractors State License Board (CSLB)
Verify a licence on the official register →Insurance and workers' compensation
$1 million general liability minimum. Workers' compensation is mandatory for any contractor with employees. Bond of $25,000 required for licensure (increased under SB 607).
Mechanic's lien protection
California has one of the strictest lien regimes in the country. Preliminary 20-day notices must be sent within 20 days of starting work. Mechanics liens must be filed within 90 days after project completion (or 60 days after a notice of completion is recorded). Unpaid subcontractors and suppliers can place liens on your property even if you've paid your general contractor in full. Always collect lien waivers from all parties before making final payment.
What catches homeowners out in California
California's CSLB license verification is critical — always check a contractor's license number at cslb.ca.gov and confirm it is active and in good standing. California law requires a $25,000 contractor surety bond on every licensed contractor as a consumer protection backstop. For projects over $1,000 (labor and materials combined under Business & Professions Code § 7048), a valid CSLB license is legally required. Unlicensed contractors face criminal misdemeanor charges, and homeowners who hire them forfeit key statutory protections.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about hiring contractors
How much do plumbers earn in the San Luis Obispo area?
In the San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA metro area, plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters earned a median of $30.33 an hour ($63,090 a year) in May 2025, and the middle 80% earned $23.25–$54.75. About 320 people work in this occupation in the metro area. These are what workers earn, not what plumbers charge: a contractor's hourly rate also covers insurance, licensing, vehicles, overhead and profit. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025.
How old are homes in San Luis Obispo?
The typical home in San Luis Obispo was built in 1977, and 57% of homes were built before 1980. The median owner-occupied home is worth $935,100. Older homes like the 57% of San Luis Obispo homes built before 1980 were commonly plumbed with galvanized steel supply pipes and cast-iron drains, which corrode with age, so repiping and drain-line replacement are common jobs in older housing. Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020–2024 5-year estimates.
How much does a plumber charge per hour in San Luis Obispo?
Plumbing services in San Luis Obispo typically cost $75–$150 per hour. Emergency calls usually carry a premium. Always request a written estimate before work begins.
Do plumbers in San Luis Obispo offer emergency services?
Yes, many plumbers serving San Luis Obispo offer 24/7 emergency services for issues like burst pipes, severe leaks, and sewer backups. Emergency response times in San Luis Obispo typically range from 30 minutes to 2 hours depending on the provider and time of day. Expect to pay a premium for after-hours, weekend, and holiday emergency calls.
How do I find a licensed plumber near San Luis Obispo?
To find a licensed plumber in San Luis Obispo, check that they hold a valid CA plumbing license and carry adequate insurance. On Ratedeed, you can browse plumbers serving San Luis Obispo, view credentials, and compare free quotes to find the right fit.
What's the average cost to fix a leaking pipe in San Luis Obispo?
Fixing a leaking pipe in San Luis Obispo typically costs $150–$450 for accessible pipes, while hidden leaks behind walls or slabs can cost $600–$2,500+ depending on detection and restoration requirements.
Do plumbers in CA need to be licensed?
Yes, in California, plumbers must hold a valid state-issued license to perform most plumbing work. This includes installing, repairing, and replacing pipes, fixtures, and water heaters. Always verify a plumber's license before hiring them in San Luis Obispo. Where a contractor has provided license details, they appear on their profile; always confirm with the state board before hiring.
How quickly can a plumber respond to an emergency in San Luis Obispo?
Most licensed plumbers in San Luis Obispo offer emergency response within 30 minutes to 2 hours for urgent issues like burst pipes, gas leaks, or sewer backups. Contact your local water utility for major water main issues. Keep a list of emergency plumbers on hand to minimize damage from unexpected plumbing failures.
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