Chases Plumbing in South Carolina: What to Know Before You Call

Chases Plumbing serves residential and commercial customers across South Carolina with drain cleaning, water heater repair, and general plumbing work

Chases Plumbing operates as a local service provider handling everything from burst pipes to routine maintenance. The company works on both homes and businesses, which means they handle jobs that range from a single clogged drain to full system replacements. Like most plumbing contractors in the state, they charge by the hour or by the job, depending on what you need done.

Before calling any plumber, it helps to know what information they'll ask for, what the typical costs look like in your area, and what to expect during the visit. This guide walks through those basics so you can make an informed decision about whether Chases is the right fit for your situation.

Key Takeaways

• Chases Plumbing handles drain cleaning, water heater service, leak repair, and general plumbing for homes and businesses across South Carolina.
• Most plumbing companies charge either an hourly rate or a flat fee depending on the job, and many charge a service call fee that may be credited toward the final bill.
• Have your address, a description of the problem, and photos of any visible damage ready before you call for a faster estimate.
• Emergency plumbing calls outside normal business hours typically cost more than daytime appointments, so confirm pricing before scheduling.

What Chases Plumbing Typically Handles

Chases Plumbing works on the systems that keep water flowing in and waste flowing out. That includes water heaters (both repair and replacement), drain lines, supply lines, fixtures like sinks and toilets, and the pipes behind your walls. They also handle emergency calls when a pipe bursts or a toilet backs up.

The company serves both residential customers (homeowners and renters) and commercial clients (restaurants, offices, apartment complexes). This dual focus means they have experience with everything from a single-family home's plumbing to the more complex systems in a multi-unit building or business.

If you have a specific problem—say, a water heater that won't heat or a drain that keeps backing up—calling to describe it will tell you whether this is a job they take on. Some plumbers specialize narrowly (only water heaters, for example), while others are generalists. Chases appears to handle the full range of common plumbing work.

How Plumbing Pricing Works in South Carolina

South Carolina plumbing companies typically charge one of three ways: hourly rates (usually $75 to $150 per hour depending on the company and your location), flat fees for specific jobs (like drain cleaning or toilet repair), or a service call fee plus hourly labor. The service call fee—often $50 to $100—covers the plumber's time to diagnose the problem, and many companies credit it toward the final bill if you move forward with the work.

Emergency calls (nights, weekends, holidays) usually cost more than daytime appointments. A plumber arriving at 11 p.m. on a Saturday will charge a higher rate than the same plumber on a Tuesday afternoon. Before you schedule an emergency call, ask what the after-hours rate is so there are no surprises on the invoice.

Parts are almost always billed separately from labor. If your water heater needs replacement, you pay for the heater itself plus the labor to install it. Ask whether the company marks up parts or charges cost, and whether they offer any warranty on parts or workmanship.

What to Have Ready Before You Call

When you contact a plumbing company, have these details on hand: your address, a clear description of what's wrong (not just "my sink is slow" but "the kitchen sink drains slowly and gurgles"), and when the problem started. If there's visible damage—water stains, puddles, rust—take a photo and have it ready to show or describe.

Know whether you rent or own, because some repairs are the landlord's responsibility and some are the tenant's. If you rent, you may need to contact your landlord before calling a plumber, or the landlord may have a preferred contractor. Calling a plumber without permission can create a dispute over who pays.

Ask upfront whether the company charges a service call fee and whether it's credited toward the work. Ask what their response time is (same day, next day, within a week) and whether they offer emergency service. If you need the work done by a specific date, mention that when you call so they can tell you whether they can meet it.

Common Plumbing Problems and What They Usually Cost

A clogged drain typically costs $100 to $300 depending on how deep the clog is and whether the plumber needs to remove a trap or snake the line. A running toilet (the kind that keeps refilling) usually runs $150 to $250 and often just needs a new fill valve or flapper. A leaking faucet repair is usually $100 to $200 if it's a simple fix, more if the valve seat is damaged.

Water heater repair ranges widely: a simple thermostat replacement might be $150 to $300, while a heating element replacement could be $300 to $600. Full water heater replacement (tank and labor) typically runs $800 to $1,500 for a standard electric or gas unit, depending on size and type. Tankless water heaters cost significantly more to install.

These are ballpark figures for South Carolina and will vary by company, location, and the specifics of your situation. Always get a quote before committing to work, and don't hesitate to call a second company if the first quote seems high.

Questions to Ask Before Scheduling

Ask whether Chases Plumbing is licensed and insured. South Carolina requires plumbers to be licensed, and insurance protects you if something goes wrong during the work. Ask for their license number and verify it through the South Carolina Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation if you want confirmation.

Ask what their cancellation policy is. If you need to reschedule, will they charge you? Ask whether they may provide their work and for how long. A reputable plumber will stand behind repairs for at least 30 days, and many offer longer warranties on parts.

Ask whether they can provide references from recent customers in your area. A company willing to share names of people they've worked for recently is usually confident in their work. You can also check online reviews on Google, Yelp, or the Better Business Bureau to see what other customers have said.

When to Call a Plumber Versus Trying a DIY Fix

Some plumbing problems are safe to tackle yourself: a clogged drain with a plunger, a running toilet by replacing the flapper, or a leaky faucet by tightening the connection. Hardware stores sell inexpensive kits for these fixes, and YouTube has thousands of tutorials. If you're handy and the problem is simple, you might save money.

Call a professional if the problem involves the main water line, the sewer line, the water heater, or anything behind your walls. Mistakes on these systems can be expensive to fix and may damage your home or create health hazards. If you've tried a DIY fix and it didn't work, call a plumber rather than trying again—you might make it worse.

If you're renting, check your lease and contact your landlord before attempting any repair. Many leases require the landlord to handle plumbing issues, and doing the work yourself might violate the lease or cost you your security deposit.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know if I need a plumber or if I can fix it myself?

Simple clogs, running toilets, and leaky faucets are often DIY-friendly if you're comfortable with basic repairs. Anything involving the main water line, sewer line, water heater, or pipes inside walls should go to a professional. If you've tried once and it didn't work, stop and call a plumber—a second failed attempt usually costs more to fix.

What's the difference between a service call fee and the actual repair cost?

The service call fee is what the plumber charges just to come out, diagnose the problem, and give you a quote. The repair cost is what you pay if you approve the work. Many companies credit the service call fee toward the final bill, so you don't pay it twice. Always ask whether it's credited before you schedule.

Can I negotiate the price if I get a quote?

You can ask, especially if you have multiple quotes from different companies. Some plumbers will match a competitor's price or offer a discount if you book multiple jobs at once. Don't choose based on price alone—a cheap plumber who does poor work costs more in the long run.

What should I do if the plumber's bill is higher than the quote?

Ask for an explanation in writing. If the work took longer than expected or unexpected problems came up, the plumber should have called you before going over the original quote. If you didn't approve the extra work, you may not owe the full amount. Review the invoice line by line and ask questions about anything that doesn't match what you discussed.

Is there a best time of year to call a plumber?

Spring and fall are typically slower seasons for plumbers, so you may get faster service and potentially better pricing. Winter is busy because of frozen pipes, and summer is busy because people are home and notice problems. If your issue isn't an emergency, calling during a slower season might work in your favor.