Questions, answered
Straight answers from a licensed plumber — on estimates, service area, warranty, water heaters, and the work we do across the Yellowstone Valley.
FREQUENTLY ASKED
Don't see your question?
We're happy to talk it through. Call or text and you'll reach the person doing the work — not a call center.
(406) 606-968201
Estimates & Pricing
- Do you offer free estimates?
- Yes. We provide free estimates on plumbing projects. Tell us what you're dealing with — by phone, text, or the quote form — and we'll give you clear, honest pricing and the scope of work before anything starts. No surprises, no pressure.
- How does your quoting process work?
- For most projects we'll talk through the details or take a look in person, then give you a straightforward estimate covering the work and the cost. You'll know the scope and the number before we begin, so there are no surprise charges at the end.
- Are your rates competitive?
- Yes. As an owner-operated shop, our overhead is low and that's passed on to you. You get a licensed plumber doing the work at a fair, competitive rate — not a padded price from a call center.
02
Service Area & Availability
- What areas do you serve?
- We're based in Billings and serve the surrounding Yellowstone Valley — including Laurel, Hardin, and Red Lodge — and reach into northern Wyoming for both residential and commercial work.
- How quickly can you come out?
- We answer our phones and show up when we say we will. Same-day service is available for many jobs, depending on the schedule and how urgent the issue is. Call (406) 606-9682 and we'll tell you honestly when we can be there.
- Do you handle urgent problems like leaks or a failed water heater?
- Yes. Burst pipes, failed water heaters, and active leaks are exactly the kind of calls we prioritize, and we've turned many of them around the same day. Call us as soon as you can so we can get you on the schedule.
03
Licensing & Warranty
- Are you licensed and insured?
- Yes. Prime Plumbing is owned and operated by a licensed plumber, and every project is fully insured. You're covered and accountable work is guaranteed.
- Do you warranty your work?
- We stand behind everything we install with a one-year warranty on our workmanship. If something isn't right with the work we performed, we'll make it right.
04
Water Heaters & Heating
- Should I choose a tankless or a tank water heater?
- It depends on your home and how you use hot water. Tankless units heat water on demand, save space, and can lower energy bills with endless hot water — a great fit for many homes. Traditional tank heaters have a lower upfront cost and are simple to service. We'll size the right option for your household and budget and explain the trade-offs before you decide.
- Do you install boilers and radiant floor heat?
- Yes. We install and service boilers, radiant floor heating, and snowmelt systems built for real Montana winters. Whether it's a new system or service on an existing one, we'll make sure it's sized and installed to keep you warm through the cold months.
05
Rural & Well Water
- Do you install septic systems?
- Yes. We handle septic installation, repair, and connections for rural and acreage properties. If you're building or your system needs work, we'll take care of it start to finish.
- Can you improve well or rural water quality?
- Absolutely. For homes on well or rural water we install reverse osmosis systems, water softeners, and whole-home filtration for cleaner, better-tasting water. We'll recommend the right setup based on your water and your home.
06
Montana Seasons
- How do I keep my pipes from freezing this winter?
- Before the first hard freeze: disconnect garden hoses, shut off and drain outdoor spigots (or upgrade to frost-free hose bibbs), insulate pipes in crawl spaces and along cold exterior walls, and keep the house above 55° even when you're away. On below-zero nights, opening cabinet doors under sinks on outside walls helps too. If a line has frozen before, it will again — have us fix the root cause before January does it for you.
- A pipe froze and burst. What do I do first?
- Shut off the main water valve immediately — know where it is before you need it — then open a faucet to relieve pressure and call us at (406) 606-9682. Burst pipes are exactly the kind of call we prioritize. If water reached wiring or fixtures, shut off power to that area at the breaker as well.
- How should I winterize my home if I'm leaving for the season?
- Snowbirds and cabin owners: don't just turn the thermostat down and hope. Shut off the water main, drain the lines, protect fixture traps, and deal with the water heater and any hydronic heat properly. We can winterize the house before you leave and de-winterize it when you're back — far cheaper than coming home to a flood.
- What should I check when the snow melts in spring?
- Test your sump pump before spring runoff arrives — lift the float and make sure it actually pumps. Walk your basement and crawl space for damp spots, check outdoor spigots for winter damage by feeling for water hammering or drips inside the wall when they run, and watch how the yard drains. Catching a small problem in April beats a flooded basement in May.
07
New Construction & Projects
- Do you do plumbing for new construction?
- Yes. We handle full rough-in through finish for new homes and additions — laid clean, inspected, and built to last. We coordinate with builders and schedule around the rest of the build so your plumbing is done right the first time.
- How long will my project take?
- Timelines depend on the scope. A fixture swap or water heater replacement is often same-day, while a full new-construction rough-in follows the build schedule. When we give you an estimate, we'll give you a realistic timeline for your specific project.
FREE ESTIMATE
Ready to get it fixed right?
Tell us what's going on and we'll follow up with honest pricing and a realistic timeline — no pressure, no surprises.
(406) 606-9682FAST, SAME-DAY SERVICE WHEN AVAILABLE