Choosing a Plumber for your Pipe Issues

Choosing A Plumber

As with most repair gigs, it’s ideal to choose a plumber well before you ever need one. Unfortunately, most people that require emergency assistance in this area rarely posses the time to research their options properly. When a pipe springs a leak or a toilet overflows, finding quality help quickly is the game we have to play. In this article, we will walk you through a few helpful tips to aid in your plumber search.

Step 1 – Get in touch with a local friend or family member with an opinion you can trust. Most property owners will require plumbing assistance at some point in their residency and can point you in the direction of someone who is reputable. Word of mouth is a wonderful means of finding quality services. This instance is far from exception.

Step 2 – Call up a local contractor or builder if you happen to know of one. These types of professionals typically deal with plumbers on a regular basis and will generally have strong opinions regarding local plumbers you can trust. Ask about the quality of work provided as well as the nature of their fee structure.

Step 3 – If you’re new to the area, call up the real estate agent who helped you purchase your home. Realtors often work closely with plumbing specialists when fixing up properties and will be able to point you in the direction of someone reliable and experienced. As the agent will likely want to keep you on as a returning customer down the line, they should be happy to provide you with some contact information.

Step 4 – When calling potential candidates, avoiding leaving your contact information on the answering machine. Additionally, you should be wary of children answering the telephone. Though many reputable contractors work out of their homes, most professionals with experience and a high skill level will have a dedicated phone line or receptionist.

Step 5 – If you happen to get ahold of someone, be sure to obtain their license number before hanging up. If you’re a littler nervous, tell them that you’ll be turning in a claim to your home insurance agent and that the license number is required.

Step 6 – Before agreeing to anything, be sure to obtain a quote for the work required. If a plumber is reputable, they will likely provide you with a bid or estimate for the work being performed. An exception comes about when issues occur between walls or within a ceiling. In cases such as these, a contractor may be rightfully hesitant to provide a client with a set quote until the full extent of the issue is revealed in full. In situations such as these, it’s best to obtain a “worst-case scenario” quote.

Step 7 – Does the work being provided come with a service warranty? If your contractor is unable to provide you with a guarantee on the project, then it should be viewed as a red flag. Unless you happen to reside in an older home that requires extensive repair, a qualified plumber will have no problem returning to the job site to correct the issue.