7 Essential Steps to Finding a Good Plumber
7 STEPS TO FINDING A RELIABLE PLUMBER
Your home’s water lines are a delicate system. From sewer line clogs to small leaks, tree roots and old appliances that break, having a good plumber on call is your best option. But what if you haven’t found a trusty contractor? Here’s what you need to do.
1. Find a local plumber
Most places have a few quirks that an experienced plumber will know about. For example, if someone has dealt with several units within the same building, they’ll know about recurring issues and pipe placement.
By being familiar with the area, a local plumber will also know if a specific part is easy to find and be able to recommend good hardware stores if necessary.
2.
Make sure they are insured and licensed
The next step to finding and hiring a reliable plumber is to be sure they're fully licensed, certified, and insured. Ask them for this information before you let them do any work in your home.
As a basic, any service company who works in your home should be formally qualified.
If something should happen when they're fixing a leak or handling another issue, their insurance coverage will protect you.
3. Check their references
Now you should check out the plumber's reviews and ratings. Since almost every business is online, it’s very easy to do a quick google search and look at reviews. Social media is also a good resource.
If a contractor has been recommended by someone you actually know, take the opportunity to ask about their work. Past clients you know are a great source of unbiased references.
4. Call and Compare
Once you have a few options lined up, make some call appointments to discuss your needs with the few plumbers you’ve selected. Compare their rates and collect quotes over the phone, and it will be easier to figure out which provider is the best fit.
When looking for a reliable plumber, be wary of suspiciously low rates. A good contractor will know their job’s worth, and a very low price usually indicates a lack of licenses or specialized knowledge.
5. Ask about their service guarantee
You'll want to know if their work is backed by any type of service guarantee. Be sure you get it in writing on the contract before you sign it. We recommend reading any contract or quote thoroughly to be aware of possible limitations.
6. Get an accurate quote
Ask your plumber to give you a written quote before signing a contract. You don't want to be surprised later with hidden fees or a higher price than what you were prepared for.
This is especially important if it’s a big job. Your best option is asking your plumber if they provide upfront quotes or if the price could change later.
7. Ask if they offer financing
Experienced plumbers sometimes can give great input on financing big jobs. They might offer financing options themselves or with a credit union to tackle large projects. Even if your current project doesn’t need it, it’s always useful to know your options.
Additional questions you will want to ask before hiring
- Do they have experience with your specific problem? Dealing with a leaky bathroom, repiping old sewer lines and repairing a well are all things a plumber can do, but they are very different.
- What does the price/consultation include? It’s best to know whether they have a fixed consultation fee, if they can get any spare parts, or if they’ll have the time to do the repair on the day of the first consultation.
- Will they provide a written quote? This ensures everyone knows what services are included and the final cost.
- Do they have insurance? A good plumber should always have insurance in case things go wrong.
- Can they provide references? Unless they have been recommended, always ask for references. An experienced plumber will happily give a couple of references before starting work.
- Do you charge for travel time? Some plumbers charge for travel time if you are located outside their regular service area. It’s another reason to hire a local plumber near you, but always ask just in case.
These are the signs you've found a good plumber
They know their limits: A good professional will let you know if their specific problem is out of their expertise, instead of trying to wing it.
Respectful of your time: Someone that will be on time shows they respect you and their business.
Has repeat business: What’s a better sign than keeping your trusted plumber for years?
Recommended by other tradespeople: Tradespeople like manual workers and contractors are one of your best resource when looking for a good plumber. People in the trade industry usually know each other and will know reliable professionals in your area.
They’ve been in business for a long time: More time generally means more experience, so they’ll be able to deliver higher-quality work at a faster pace.
They offer advice: If you’ve been dealing with a chronic plumbing issue, a good plumber will give you enough information to prevent or anticipate further problems. This means you won’t need to call them as often, but it shows they actually care about your home working properly.
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