Home-services FAQ

Most US plumbers charge $80 to $150 per hour for standard service calls, with emergency or after-hours rates landing at $150 to $300. A typical drain-cleaning visit runs $150 to $400. Always confirm pricing and licensing with a verified local pro before booking.

A residential HVAC tune-up typically costs $89 to $199, with early-season discounts as low as $69. Annual maintenance preserves warranty coverage and catches efficiency loss before it spikes utility bills. Confirm scope and inclusions in writing with a licensed local pro.

An asphalt-shingle roof replacement averages $7,500 to $15,000 for a typical single-family home, with metal or slate running $20,000 to $50,000. Storm damage is often partly covered by homeowner insurance. Always get two or three itemized written quotes.

Look up the contractor on your state licensing board's online verification portal using their name or license number — the status must read Active. Most states publish a free lookup. Never pay a deposit before confirming an active license and current liability insurance.

Ohio state-licenses plumbers, HVAC technicians, electricians, hydronics technicians, and refrigeration technicians through the OCILB. Trades like roofing, concrete, painting, and appliance repair are not state-licensed in Ohio — verify insurance and references instead.

Most US jurisdictions require a permit to install or replace a gas or electric water heater. Your licensed plumber pulls the permit and schedules the inspection. Skipping the permit can void homeowner insurance claims and complicate a future home sale.

Leave the house immediately. Do not use phones, light switches, or any electrical device indoors. From outside, call your gas utility's 24-hour emergency line, then 911 if you suspect a major leak. Never attempt to diagnose a gas smell yourself.

Shut off the main water valve before anything else — it's usually in the basement near the water-line entry. Turn clockwise to close. Then photograph the damage for insurance, kill power to affected outlets at the breaker, and call a plumber or restoration company.

Most standard homeowner policies cover sudden storm damage (wind, hail, falling trees) but not gradual wear. File a claim with photos and a licensed roofer's written assessment. Reject any roofer who offers to waive your deductible — that's insurance fraud.

A legitimate contractor carries general liability (minimum $1M) and workers' compensation for any employees. Ask for a current certificate of insurance naming you as an additional insured for the project. Hiring an uninsured contractor exposes you to lawsuit risk if a worker is injured.