Are you in need of a good plumber? Hiring a plumber is likely one of the biggest stresses for homeowners.
You want to make sure that the plumber you hire can fix the issue for the long term. They should know enough to help you prevent plumbing issues in the future. You want to make sure you get good value for your money, after all.
So how do you go about hiring a plumber? How do you make sure you prevent further plumbing issues from arising?
Before you call the first plumber you know, make sure you consider our criteria.
This guide will help you assess a plumber and find the perfect one for your needs. Here are 6 questions you need to ask.
-
What’s Your Quote?
Make sure you get the full pricing from your plumber beforehand. They should first come to your home to assess the problem. They’ll calculate the cost of labor, as well as other expenses.
They should give you their quote in writing. Once you’ve agreed on a quote, then you can give them the approval to start work.
It’s also wise to do your research beforehand. Learn about the standard pricing that a plumbing company offers. If they have a website, they should have estimated prices on it.
If you consider a solo plumber, then you want to ask another client about their pricing. If your plumber comes from a referral, ask your referrer how much they paid.
You also want to know when they’ll want their payment. The best plumbers ask for payments after the work is done. This is always a better option than paying in advance (fully or partially).
You can also ask about payment plans and different payment methods. The best plumbers will let you pay in installments if you need.
They’ll also offer different payment methods such as cash, check, credit card, and electronic payments.
Make sure you ask if this is an hourly rate or a flat rate. It’s always best to opt for a flat rate. Even in this scenario, ask if there are any additional fees if the plumber takes longer than they expect.
-
Do You Have a License?
For many areas, a license isn’t necessary. However, if your plumber has a license, it shows that they have met certain standards. It gives them credibility and shows that they are accountable for their work.
While an unlicensed plumber doesn’t necessarily indicate mediocrity, one can bet that an unlicensed plumber won’t do a great job.
To be on the safe side, always hire a plumber with a license. They also know that if they do a shoddy job, they can lose their license and future work.
There’s more on the line for them and they’ll strive to provide excellent service.
-
What Are Your Services?
Some plumbers offer general services such as fixing clogged toilets only. Others also offer specialized services such as cleaning drains or installing pipes.
Make sure you ask beforehand about their services and expertise. You want to find a plumber with whom you can have a long-term relationship.
At the moment, you might only need to fix a clogged toilet. But in the future, you might search frantically for “drain cleaning near me” services!
You want to make sure your plumber can help with current plumbing issues and any future issues.
-
Who’ll Be Working?
If it’s a big job, your plumber will likely have assistants helping with the work. They should let you know in advance how many assistants they’ll bring.
Make sure they tell you what each person will do. They must justify why they need several assistants to help them.
With assistants, your costs can skyrocket, so you want to make sure each person is needed.
You want to make sure you can communicate with each assistant. If you find any to be unhelpful or standoffish, this isn’t a plumber to trust.
The best plumbers train their assistants to offer great customer service.
-
Will You Clean Up?
You want to make sure you choose a plumber who includes cleaning as part of their process.
You want to make sure they leave things clean and tidy on the day of the job. Many plumbers will wish to come back another day. However, this can wreak havoc on your home.
Cleanup time has to be scheduled into their time. They should also have cleaning materials on hand. Only if they require specialized materials should they charge you extra for expenses.
Another exception is if they’ll need to invest in major expenses (such as a dumpster) for cleaning. Otherwise, they should never charge extra for labor costs for cleaning.
-
How Will They Handle Damages?
It’s always possible that your plumber will damage something while fixing a plumbing problem. You want to know beforehand what their recourse is if this happens.
They should be able to fix any damaged item immediately. If not, they must give you a specific timeframe of when they’ll return.
If they install something in your home, they should give a timeframe on when they’ll come back if the item gets damaged.
For example, let’s suppose they installed a new toilet. They should be willing to come at any time within a year to fix any plumbing issues with the toilet.
As such, these guarantees should be given to you in writing. If a plumber is unwilling to offer such promises, they aren’t the best option for you.
Plumbing companies are usually the best option if damaged items and warranties are your biggest concern.
Start Hiring a Plumber for Your Needs
Now you know the questions to ask when hiring a plumber. Make sure you ask all 6 of these questions before choosing the right plumber for your needs.
As mentioned, the best plumber is one with whom you can have a regular relationship.
Ask them about their costs, licensing, expertise, and policies. Once this gets established, you can develop your shortlist of plumbers.
If you follow these steps, you won’t struggle with finding the best plumber. Once you do, make sure you refer them to others.
In fact, please share this guide with other homeowners. Also, check out more great tips on home maintenance on our website.
