How to Find a Good Plumber

Are you looking for a reliable plumber? Here’s how to find affordable, highly rates plumbers near you.

We understand finding the right plumber can be an overwhelming process. However, it’s a crucial process for every homeowner.

Imagine the headache and frustration you may have to deal with an unqualified or unlicensed plumber? Those minor mistakes can be a huge liability to you. In the long run, they might end up costing you a lot to get everything back in line.

An experienced plumber will provide you with quality, well-priced services. He will perform installation and repairs that will withstand the test of time.

Whether you need to repair a small leak or maintain your home water supply systems, the tips below will ensure you hire the right plumber.

Perform Thorough Cost Research on Various Plumbing Services

Before hiring a plumber, it is very important to do some background research first. This gives you a prior insight into what you expect and how you need your project done. It doesn’t matter what exactly you’re looking to do; maybe you want to repair a simple leak repair or a clear obstruction from your kitchen sink drain. The end goal here is quality service.

A quick search will help you find an accurate online estimate of the project. This way, you will know when a plumber wants to overcharge you.

Suppose you’re looking for a professional to handle a large project. You might need some more time to estimate the cost of the project. When hiring a plumber for such a project, there are a few things you need to keep in mind. They include:

Amenities needed
Your overall budget
The size of the area to be renovated

Once you’ve gathered this information, you can proceed and shop around. Again, it’s wise to get multiple quotes before making a decision. This helps you choose the best plumber in terms of experience, quality, and cost.

Go For Insured and Licensed Plumbers

There are always local plumbers who provide services at a lower price. However, if you dig deeper, they usually don’t have credentials, nor are they insured. Where does that leave you? You run a greater risk of getting poor services that will cost you more in the long run. Sometimes, the state might force you to get rid of the installations made by the unqualified plumber.

It is advisable to hire plumbers who are insured and licensed. Most states require plumbers to obtain licenses. Hiring an insured plumber places you on the safe side. In case the plumber messes up, you can ask him to re-do the installation or repair work. Alternatively, you can ask for a refund. Furthermore, you will not be liable for any accidents or injuries that occur amid the project.

Depending on cost and experience, plumbers are categorized into two; journeyman and master plumber. Journeyman plumbers have apprenticed for like 4 to 5 years and are new to solo operations. Master plumbers have the right background and experience in the field and must have passed the State’s Contractors Board test.

Get A Contract

After securing an insured and licensed plumber, the next step is to secure a contract. The contract will detail all the tasks that will be carried out, the list of requirements, and the conditions for the work. The legal binding document will ensure the projects get executed hassle-free till completion.

Note that a plumber may request a deposit for secured contracts before they commence the work. This is a custom in the industry.

Things to Watch Out for and Questions to Ask

It’s no secret, but some plumbers tend to take advantage of uninformed clients by either overcharging them or working on their projects without a license. Thankfully, some warning signs can help you avoid such scenarios. The obvious one is the failure to produce work documents, including licenses, insurance papers, and other credentials. If you come across such a plumber, just pass.

One of the easiest ways to tell if a plumber is professional is when they give a guaranteed quote before inspecting the site. Those are scammers. No experienced plumber can quote the price of a project without inspecting the damaged area or type of renovation to be executed. It doesn’t matter if they have handled similar problems before. Things might be different.

Also, avoid plumbers who accept only cash payments. That clearly shows that something isn’t adding up. The same goes for plumbers who request full payments or huge deposits before they even start the job.

While these are the major things to watch out for before hiring a plumber, here are some questions to ask your prospect plumber to guarantee he or she is qualified to provide you quality services:

What areas of plumbing do you specialize in?
Are you an insured plumber with both liability and workman’s company insurance?
Can I have some references for your previous tasks?
Are you able to provide a warranty for your plumbing work?

In Conclusion

It is possible to find a reliable plumber without spending a fortune. Make sure you get a contract before the work starts so you don’t end up with any surprise fees.