A plumbing emergency can mean huge repair bills or even total destruction of your home. Fortunately, you can take steps to avoid disaster by picking a local plumber who is qualified and reliable. Here are the steps to finding local plumbers:
Choose a plumber who is licensed and insured. If you hire an unlicensed plumber, you could be held liable for any damages or injuries that occur during the job.
Get recommendations from friends, neighbours and family members. You can also check online review sites and ratings to find a reputable plumber in your area. In addition, your city or county may have a website that lists local contractors, including plumbers.
Call at least three plumbing companies before you make a choice. Ask about their rates as well as their experience with similar projects.
Are they available 24/7? Plumbing emergencies happen all the time, especially in older homes. And as Murphy’s Law dictates, when plumbing issues happen it’s more than likely going to be at the worst possible time. A good local plumber will offer services 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Do they specialize in your needs? A professional local plumber will know how to deal with various types of plumbing problems and plumbing systems. Some may specialize in residential work, while others may just do commercial jobs. Most local plumbers will offer both types of services but make sure you ask before you hire them so you know what type of work they can perform and whether or not it is within their scope of expertise.
Guarantees: A good plumbing company should guarantee their work. You should never have to pay 100% of the cost upfront unless it’s for supplies you selected yourself (e.g., toilet, tub).
Prices: Good plumbers do not charge by the hour — they charge by the job (e.g., unclogging a drain). Find out how much it will cost for them to complete the job before hiring them so there are no surprises later on.
What can happen if you hire a dodgy plumbing company?
- An ill-trained, unskilled worker could damage your pipes or fittings and cause a leak, which might lead to further damage to your property.
- A substandard repair could be ineffective, which means you will have to pay again for another plumber to fix the problem.
- A dishonest contractor could charge you for work they haven’t done or overcharge for the work they have done, causing you unnecessary expense.
- A plumber with no insurance may leave you out of pocket if there is an accident in your home or on your property that injures them or causes damage.
