You rely on your household pipes and other facets of plumbing that keep your toilets, faucets and water heater working as they should. If you do not hire the right professional to keep these parts in good working order, you risk expensive problems in the future. Below are some tips on hiring a plumber, so you can ensure you keep your home or commercial property in top working shape.
General Tips for Hiring a Plumbing Professional
It is important to understand what you need from a plumbing professional to find the right one for you. To help you along this path, keep these tips in mind:
- Work only with licensed professionals (where licensing is required)
- Hire only those who have proof of insurance
- Ask about the plumbing professional’s experience
- Expect an accurate estimate that lists the needs and cost to make repairs
- Ask about how they ensure customer satisfaction and what guarantees they provide
- Inquire about customer references and screen some of these
Six Questions to Ask Plumbing Professionals
Before hiring a plumbing contractor, you should ask them some important questions. How they answer will help you understand which contractor best suits your individual needs. You will also be able to find one who is qualified for your major and minor plumbing problems. At the same time, your screening will help you avoid the bigger issues hiring the wrong person can cause.
What is the price quote?
You should not receive a quote over the phone. To clearly assess your plumbing problem and understand how much it will cost to fix, the plumber must see the problem in person. The professional should also include the parts they need to finish the job in this estimate. Ensure you confirm the “all-inclusive” pricing by asking if both parts and labour are established in the quote.
Who will perform the work?
You need to feel comfortable about the people working in your home or commercial property. The person providing your quote is often not the person who will perform the work. So ask them who will be on-site and fixing your plumbing. Inquire about their experience, training and years on the job.
Are you licensed to perform this work?
Check your local or regional requirements for plumber licensing. Then, ask your plumbing contractor if they hold this license. You can ask to see the license itself, if desired. While you may get a better rate from a newly licensed professional, consider choosing one with more experience.
Are you bonded and insured?
Any plumbing contractor should respond positively to your questions about bonding and insurance. If desired, you can explain that you do not want to hold legal responsibility for anyone being injured on your property while the work is being performed. It is your right to ask these questions, and it is in your best interest to do so.
Is your rate fixed or quoted on an hourly basis?
You need to confirm the provided estimate is a fixed price in order to avoid surprises on your final bill. If the rate is hourly, ask how long the work should take for completion. In hourly pricing situations, it is definitely safer to work with a more experienced contractor. One with more experience can more accurately estimate the time it takes to make repairs.
What factors can add to the quoted price?
It is helpful to ask what surprises can pop up during the course of the work that can also add to the final bill. You deserve to have a full picture of what you will be paying when the work is over, such as through a cost range.
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