Plumbing questions, answered straight
Pricing and estimates
Are your estimates really free?
Yes. Estimates are free on any job. Jacob comes out, looks at the work, and gives you a straight price before anything starts. You do not pay to find out what the work costs.
What is the $125 diagnostic fee and when does it apply?
The diagnostic starts at $125 and applies only when finding the problem is itself the work — a leak under a slab that has to be located, or a sewer line that has to be camera'd. On a complex job that takes an hour or more to locate, it can run higher. It is not a charge for coming out and looking at something visible.
Do you have a minimum charge?
No. There is no minimum job charge. Small jobs get done at the price they cost, same as anything else.
Why do cards cost 3% more?
The card company charges a processing fee on every transaction, and 3% is what gets passed through. Cash and check do not carry that fee. It is stated up front, not added to the invoice after the fact.
Do you offer financing or payment plans?
No. JK Ranch does not offer financing, payment plans, or any buy-now-pay-later option. Payment is by cash, check, or card at the time the work is done.
What does a drain cleaning cost?
Drain cleaning starts at $175. The real number depends on what is in the line and how far it has to be cleared, and it comes from the free on-site estimate.
What does a water heater replacement cost?
Water heater replacement starts at $2,000. Tank size, gas versus electric, venting, and whether the connections are up to current code all move the number. The real price comes from the free estimate.
Do you offer a veterans discount?
Yes. Veterans receive 10% off, up to a maximum of $250. Tell Jacob when you call.
Scheduling and hours
What are your hours?
Monday through Saturday, 6:00 AM to 10:00 PM. Closed Sunday. After-hours work is available by phone and carries a $75 non-refundable service fee.
Do you work Sundays?
No. JK Ranch is closed Sunday. If you call on a Sunday, leave a message or send a text and Jacob will pick it up as early as he can on Monday.
What counts as after hours, and what does it cost?
After hours is outside 6:00 AM to 10:00 PM Monday through Saturday, and Saturday calls. After-hours and Saturday calls carry a $75 service fee that is non-refundable and is not waived, even though the estimate is free.
How fast can you get to me?
Close to Lexington it is usually same day, next day at the latest. Further out it is normally next day or the day after. An emergency like a burst line or a dead water heater gets moved to the front of the list. You get an honest arrival window on the phone, not a promise nobody can keep.
Do you charge to come out and look?
No. Coming out and looking at something visible is free. The diagnostic starts at $125 and only applies when finding the problem is the work — locating a hidden leak or running a camera down a line. On a complex job that takes an hour or more to locate, it can run higher.
Licensing, insurance and permits
Are you licensed?
Yes. Jacob Pryor is the Responsible Master Plumber, Texas Master Plumber License M-47091. JK Ranch Plumbing operates under that license.
How do I check your license?
Look it up on the Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners website at www.tsbpe.texas.gov, or call the Board at (512) 936-5200. The license number is M-47091.
Are you insured?
Yes. JK Ranch carries general liability coverage of $1,000,000 per occurrence and $2,000,000 aggregate, through United States Liability Insurance Company. The certificate is available on request.
Do you pull the permit, or do I?
JK Ranch pulls the plumbing permit wherever one is required. You do not have to deal with the permit yourself.
Do I need a permit if I'm outside city limits?
In the unincorporated parts of these rural counties, there is usually no plumbing permit and no inspection at all. That is exactly why the plumber's state license matters more out there, not less. JK Ranch pulls whatever permit the jurisdiction requires.
Who inspects the work out in the county?
In unincorporated county areas, usually nobody does. Most rural Texas counties do not enforce a building or plumbing code. The work still has to be done to code, and the only real check on it is the plumber's license and their willingness to do it right when nobody is watching.
The company
How long have you been in business?
JK Ranch Plumbing opened in 2026. Jacob has been plumbing a little over ten years, since he got out of high school. The company is new. The plumber is not.
Who will actually show up at my house?
Jacob. He answers the phone and he does the work. There is no crew handed off to and no second truck that rolls up. The license on the job is the same one on the truck.
Why is it called JK Ranch Plumbing?
Jacob and a buddy used to joke about starting a shop called JK Plumbing, with the line "not just kidding about plumbing." When Jacob and Julie sat down to name the real company, JK was already there — it's Julie's initials — so they kept it. They added "Ranch" because it sounded like where they're from.
Do you have reviews I can read?
The company is new and there is not much of a review history yet. Check the JK Ranch Plumbing Google Business Profile to see what is there — whatever is there is what is there. The license number M-47091 can be verified with the Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners at www.tsbpe.texas.gov or (512) 936-5200, and the insurance certificate is available on request.
The work
What's your warranty?
Two years on workmanship and on the parts JK Ranch supplies. Water heaters carry a manufacturer warranty of six to twelve years depending on the options you choose, and JK Ranch registers that warranty on your behalf.
Do you register the water heater warranty for me?
Yes. JK Ranch registers the manufacturer warranty on your behalf when a water heater is installed, so it is on file from day one.
Do you work on commercial buildings?
Yes. Jacob handles commercial plumbing — fixtures, water heaters, gas lines, grease lines and scheduled maintenance to keep a business from having to shut down.
Do you do new construction?
Yes. Jacob plumbs new homes from the slab up — rough-in through top-out — done to pass inspection the first time.
Can you replace a sewer line under my slab without tearing up the house?
Yes. Jacob tunnels under the slab to reach the line so the floor stays intact and the home is not torn up.
Do you do septic work?
No. JK Ranch does not do septic tank pumping or septic system installation. If that is what you need, call a septic company. Jacob will say so straight rather than take work he is not set up for.
Do you do backflow testing?
No. JK Ranch does not do backflow testing or backflow prevention assembly testing. A certified backflow tester is who handles that.
Do you drill water wells?
No. JK Ranch does not drill water wells. Jacob works on the pressure tank and the plumbing side of a well system, but the drilling itself is a well driller's job.
Still have a question?
Call Jacob. He answers the phone himself, and he would rather talk it through than have you guess. Free estimates on any job.
Monday to Saturday, 6:00 AM to 10:00 PM. Closed Sunday.