When you need a plumber, it is usually due to an emergency. If you search for plumbers, you will get thousands of results to choose from. If you still use the phone book, you will find listings for hundreds of plumbers in your area. Due to the often immediate need for a plumber, many people do not often think or ask if the plumber is the right plumber for them. In this article, we will offer questions that you should ask any plumber to help you determine if they are the right plumber for you.
How Long Have You Been A Plumber?
In an emergency, most people are concerned about how quickly they can get a plumber to their home, followed by the cost. The most important question, however, should be how long has the company been in business or the case of an individual, how long have they’ve been a plumber?
Plumbing is extremely essential to the livability of any home. Hiring an inexperienced plumber, can lead to more damage and end up costing you more money in the long run. Plumbing is not one of those services where you should spend a nickel to save a dime. Experienced plumbers may charge a premium for their service, but with that experience, you will get peace of mind that the job was done correctly.
What Kind Of Services Do You Offer?
Not all plumbing is equal. You would not want to call a plumber who only services homes to handle commercial property and vice versa. As we have mentioned in our previous article, there are two types of plumbing systems in a home.
There’s the water intake plumbing and there is the discharge water system. A plumber might have more experience with one system over the other. Additionally, if your system connects to a private well system or a septic tank, you will want to make sure that the plumber has experience in dealing with those as well.
Lastly, you might want to consider if the plumber offer only one-time service, i.e. fixes the emergency, or are willing to set-up routine maintenance schedules to ensure your plumbing is working properly.
Licensed & Insured?
Besides it being illegal, many people will hire contractors who are not licensed or insured to save money. By hiring someone who is neither licensed nor insured, then you are risking liability if they get injured on your property. Additionally, if the person installs or repairs the plumbing incorrectly or damages other parts of your property, you will have little recourse for recovery. Always look for a plumber who is licensed and insured.
Do You Warranty Your Work?
You will want to make sure that the plumber will warranty their work. What does that mean? If the same problem arises, you want to make sure that the plumber will come to your home to resolve the issues at no added cost to you.
What Is The Cost Of Your Service?
Although for most people, this is probably the first question they ask, it should be one of the last. With a Google search, you can get a good idea of what the average cost of a plumber in your area. You will want to make sure that the plumber you are hiring is within that range.
Ask For References
Although anyone can post a negative or positive Yelp or Google review, it is important to ask for references. By asking for references, you can get actual clients that the plumber has serviced and speak to them about their experiences to determine if they are the right plumber for you.
