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Plumber or water treatment company? How to hire in Collin County
Updated October 2, 2026 · Published by North Texas Water Solutions LLC
You'll hire one of two kinds of company: a water treatment specialist or a plumber with a water treatment service line. Both can do good work. Here's how to compare them.
| Water treatment specialist | Plumbing company | |
|---|---|---|
| Main business | Softeners, filtration, RO, service plans | Repairs, water heaters, repipes, with water treatment as one service line |
| Equipment choice | Often one dealer brand (Culligan, Kinetico, Puronics) or a house brand | Often one or two brands (HALO, Aquasana, Kind) or customer-supplied |
| Strengths | Deep product knowledge, testing, ongoing service | Can handle loop installs and repiping in the same visit |
| In this guide | 16 companies | 27 companies |
Seven questions to ask before you sign
- What's your license number? A plumbing license (often shown as M- or RMP-) or a TCEQ Water Treatment Specialist license. Look it up: Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners, TCEQ Occupational Licensing.
- Does your carbon handle chloramine? NTMWD uses chloramine. Ask whether the quote uses catalytic carbon.
- What exactly is being installed? Brand, valve (Clack, Fleck and others), tank size and media.
- Is the system certified for what you claim it removes? Contaminant claims should match an NSF/ANSI certification for that specific product.
- What are the ongoing costs? Salt, filters, media replacement and any service plan.
- What's the warranty, and who honors it? Manufacturer warranty vs installer labor warranty.
- Can I get an itemized written quote? So you can compare companies line by line.
Frequently asked questions
What license does a water softener installer need in Texas?
Water treatment installation in Texas is done under a plumbing license from the Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners (TSBPE) or a Water Treatment Specialist license from TCEQ. Ask for the number and look it up. 24 of the 43 companies in this guide show a license number on their website.
Should I let a company test my water?
A free in-home test is common and useful, but it is also a sales step. Compare its results against your city's published annual water quality report.
What should a written quote include?
Brand and model of each tank and valve, media type (catalytic vs standard carbon), tank size, installation, any plumbing loop work, warranty terms, and the price of replacement filters, media and salt.