Can the gas company be called from inside while you look for the smell?

No. Do not look for it, and do not use a phone inside. Nicor Gas warns that a spark from everyday devices could ignite gas, and NW Natural says not to operate a phone with a battery or any switch. Walk out first, then call 911 and the gas utility.

Should a plumber be the first call if the smell is near the water heater?

No. The location does not change the order. Leave on foot and call from outside. Do not touch the appliance or look for the leak. A gas contractor can come later, once responders clear the house.

What about a burst pipe when there is a gas smell too?

Leave. The gas smell comes first, so do not stop at the water valve on the way out. Tell 911 about the water when you call from outside. Once responders clear you to go back in, shut it off or wait for the plumber applies.

Right now / Gas company and 911 or Plumber

Gas smell: plumber or gas company?

Gas smell: who to call first is not a plumber. Leave now, on foot, with no switches and no phone inside. Call 911 and the gas utility from outside, at a safe distance.

Updated November 4, 2026. Sources are listed at the foot of this page.

Find your line

If you smell gas or rotten eggs anywhere in the houseGas company and 911Leave now on foot. Call only from outside, at a safe distance.
If the smell is faint or comes and goesGas company and 911Treat it the same. Do not stay to be sure, and do not hunt for it.
If you want to collect belongings firstGas company and 911Leave them. The utilities say not to stop for belongings.
If responders have cleared the house and say a repair is neededPlumberNow a licensed contractor fits. Ask first about their license for gas work.

Gray gas meter and regulator on a house wall — A gas meter on the outside of a house. If you smell gas, walk away from the house before you call.

Who do you call, and when?

	Gas company and 911	Plumber
When	Right away, once outside	Only after responders clear the house
Where you call from	Outside, at a safe distance	Wherever responders say is safe
Their job	Deal with the danger	Repair work, if a repair is needed
Lights and switches	Do not touch them	Leave alone until told otherwise
Price talk	Not now	Get a written price first

Sources for this table: CenterPoint Energy, Nicor Gas, NW Natural

What would change this answer?

Nothing about the smell changes the first step. Faint, strong or on and off, you leave.
Responders clear the house and name a repair. That is when a plumber or gas contractor enters this.
Your own utility gives different instructions for your area. Follow them, once you are outside.

What will this cost?

Do not weigh cost before leaving. This site found no dated figure for what a gas leak call or a gas line repair costs, and none for utility charges. Survey figures on this site cover water jobs, not gas work.

For a real number later, ask for a written estimate covering the work, materials, completion date and price, as the FTC advises. There is more on the emergency rate.

Small white cape house on a lawn — A small cape house on an open lot.

Who answers for gas work afterward?

Gas work has its own licensing rules, and they differ by state. In North Carolina, a state board licenses contracting in plumbing, HVAC, fuel gas piping and fire sprinkler trades. Your state may differ, so check state rules, and ask the contractor directly whether their license covers gas work. Once the house is safe, a second opinion is reasonable on a large repair. The FTC suggests confirming a license with state or county government and asking for proof of insurance.

Words to use

"There is a gas smell at this address. Everyone is outside and away from the house."

"The responders told me a repair is needed. Does your license cover gas work in this state?"

"Please put the work and the price in writing before starting."

From Columbia Gas of Virginia, a gas utility. Call your own utility, not the one named in the video. Loads from YouTube only if you press play. 30 seconds.

Also asked

Can the gas company be called from inside while you look for the smell?: No. Do not look for it, and do not use a phone inside. Nicor Gas warns that a spark from everyday devices could ignite gas, and NW Natural says not to operate a phone with a battery or any switch. Walk out first, then call 911 and the gas utility.
Should a plumber be the first call if the smell is near the water heater?: No. The location does not change the order. Leave on foot and call from outside. Do not touch the appliance or look for the leak. A gas contractor can come later, once responders clear the house.
What about a burst pipe when there is a gas smell too?: Leave. The gas smell comes first, so do not stop at the water valve on the way out. Tell 911 about the water when you call from outside. Once responders clear you to go back in, shut it off or wait for the plumber applies.

Next decision in right nowTake the first plumber who answers or keep calling?

Sources

CenterPoint Energy: natural gas leaks Leave, go somewhere safe, call 911; no switches or belongings
Nicor Gas: appliance and equipment safety Everyday sparks can ignite gas; do not look for leaks
NW Natural: smell natural gas No battery phones or switches
NC State Board of Examiners North Carolina licensing, including fuel gas piping
FTC: How To Avoid a Home Improvement Scam Estimates, plus license and insurance checks