Plumber Denver: $203 to $544 + Frozen Pipe Steps (Angi 2026)

Published Denver prices from Angi city guides, plus national figures where marked. Angi says emergency service costs 1.5 to 2 times standard prices.

Is it an emergency? When to call a Denver plumber tonight

Emergency plumbing in Denver costs $300 to $1,575 in Angi's 2026 emergency plumber figures, so call after hours when water is running and you cannot stop it, sewage is backing up, or you smell gas.

• Call now: burst pipes, sewage backups, gas leaks, major leaks, a main water line break or a water heater flooding the area, all on HomeGuide's emergency list.
• Call now: the only toilet in the house is fully clogged, or pipes are frozen and at risk of bursting (HomeGuide).
• Can wait for business hours: a dripping faucet, a running toilet or one slow drain.
• A frozen pipe that has not burst can often be thawed with a hair dryer; Denver Water says a blow torch is not appropriate and pipes warmed too fast may break.
• Generic questions about rates and fees are on the national emergency plumber page.

Frozen and burst pipes in Denver: what to do first

1. Close the main water shutoff if a pipe has split.
2. Keep away from wet outlets. Shut power off at the breaker only from a dry spot.
3. Thaw safely. The American Red Cross says to keep the faucet open and use a hair dryer, heating pad or space heater, never a blowtorch or other open flame, and to call a licensed plumber if you cannot reach the frozen section.
4. Prevent the next one. The Red Cross says to keep the heat no lower than 55°F when away, open sink cabinet doors, let cold water drip from faucets on exposed pipes, and drain outdoor hose lines.

Angi's Denver guide names freeze-thaw cycles and winter freezes as a cause of cracked pipes and leaks, and expansive bentonite clay soil that swells and shrinks as a cause of shifted plumbing lines. See burst pipe repair for costs.

Your sewer line in Denver: the City stops at the main

The City and County of Denver says it is only responsible for main public sewers, so the line from your house to the main is yours. Report a sewer backup right away at 303-446-3400. If the problem is in your private line, the City says it is then your responsibility to call a plumber. Denver says roots can eventually clog sewer lines. Angi says older homes in historic neighborhoods, built in the 1920s to 1960s, often have galvanized or cast-iron pipes. More in sewer line repair.

Plumbing permits and Denver's homeowner exam

Denver homeowners must pass an exam before doing their own plumbing, electrical or mechanical work, unless they hold a state license, according to Denver Community Planning and Development. Colorado says it is a violation of state law for anyone other than the homeowner to do plumbing work without being a registered plumbing contractor. Denver runs its own plumbing inspection program, so the State does not inspect there. At an inspection of an occupied home, an adult homeowner or the owner's representative must be present.

Angi's Denver guide puts City permit fees at $20 for projects valued at $1 to $500 and $35 for $501 to $2,000, with a sliding scale above that.

Checking a Colorado plumbing license

The Colorado State Plumbing Board, part of DORA's Division of Professions and Occupations, licenses residential plumbers, journeyworker plumbers and master plumbers. Look any plumber up on DORA's online license lookup, and file a complaint against a licensee through the same division.

Denver Water: soft to moderately hard, and leak adjustments

Denver Water calls its water soft to moderately hard: the southern collection system is moderately hard, the northern system somewhat soft, and the water is slightly harder in winter. If you had a leak that has been repaired, Denver Water may adjust the bill by comparing use during the leak with the three-year average for the same period. One adjustment covers up to three monthly bills; apply with proof of repair within 12 months. Customer Care is 303-893-2444. See leak detection if you cannot find the source.

Permit, license and water utility facts for Denver, from the official pages listed under Sources.

Where to complain about a Denver plumber

Complaints against a licensed plumber go to the Colorado State Plumbing Board through DORA. For a dispute, the Colorado Attorney General takes complaints at StopFraudColorado.gov or 800-222-4444; Home Services and Repair was its seventh largest category in 2024, with 915 of 24,473 complaints. The Denver DA's Fraud Hotline is 720-913-9179. Water damage from a burst pipe? See water damage restoration in Denver and call your insurer too. No heat in a freeze: HVAC repair in Denver. Nearby: plumbers in Phoenix and plumbers in Las Vegas. Solar: solar service in Denver. After hours, read emergency plumber costs; compare trades in home repair costs or start at the plumber guide.

Slab leak repair and leak detection in Denver

Finding a hidden leak in Denver costs $150 to $400 for most homeowners, HomeAdvisor's 2026 national range for slab leak detection, and the repair itself averages $2,280, with most paying $630 to $4,400. Warm or damp floors, a sound of running water with every fixture off, and a sudden jump in the water bill are the signs HomeAdvisor lists. Angi's Denver plumber guide names expansive bentonite clay soil, which swells and shrinks, as a local cause of shifted and cracked plumbing lines, along with freeze-thaw cycles.

Fix the leak first, then ask Denver Water for a bill adjustment: it compares use during the leak with your three-year average, covers up to three monthly bills, and takes applications with proof of repair within 12 months. HomeAdvisor says most policies cover slab leak repairs tied to a covered event but often not slow corrosion; call your insurer before the floor is opened. See slab leak repair and leak detection for the methods.

More home repair help in Denver: garage door repair, garage door installation and window replacement, with prices, the local rules and the line to call for each.