Plumbing - What to Know Before Giving a Plumber Your Money

The plumbing in your home can give you a problem any time of the day or night. Whether it is a problem with your toilet, a leaky bathroom faucet or something that is caught down the drain in the kitchen sink plumbing issues are bound to happen to everyone, and usually at the most inopportune times.

If it is a small problem and you have some plumbing experience or know someone who does then you should be able to have the issue resolved in no time at all. However if it is more complex then it is time to call in a professional to do the job right. In other words, you need a plumber who does this kind of work for a living.

It helps to have an idea of what you will be charged. A routine house call to fix something such as a clogged drain will cost you in the range of $50 to $70 an hour. If you live in a metropolitan area then the rates are likely to be even higher. If a repair needs be made after hours- which is to say not during regular weekday hours- then you will be charged more money. Expect to pay anywhere from $80 to $100 per hour if your faucet is leaking in the evening hours, on weekends or on a holiday.

Getting the best price possible for the work that needs to be done is really important. To do this get bids from two to three plumbers. If you have the time then you may want to get bids from four or five plumbers. You may assume that in the same area all plumbers will charge the same for the work they do but this is not the case. In fact the bids can vary from one professional to another by as much as 70 percent for the same job. This is why you must ask around and do your homework in regards to those who work in the plumbing field.

A verbal estimate is one thing but it is not good enough. Always get an estimate in writing. What you want is a written estimate that is provided to you on-site when the plumber sees what repair(s) need to be made in your home. This written estimate should be final. Make sure the individual knows that if he goes over the amount he has quoted you that you will not pay him any more money. That is the purpose of an estimate. It lays out the costs and makes everything clear for both parties.

Be aware that anyone can call himself a plumber but not all states require the same of those deemed qualified plumbers. All 50 states issue plumbing-contractor licenses. You can confirm the legitimacy of a plumber’s license by phoning up the licensing board in your state. However there are only 24 states in total that deem it a requirement for plumbers to get their journeyman certification. To receive this they must pass rigorous competency examinations. When searching for the right plumber for the job ask each person if he has his certification or if he has received updated training through any professional organization or association. This can make a difference in the quality of the work that gets done in your home.