Plumbing problems can be a nightmare to deal with. They can even be more stressful if you end up hiring an inexperienced plumber who can’t make the problem go away. To make sure plumbing repairs get fixed the first time around, it’s important to hire the best plumber you can find the first time around.There are many tips that can help you to do this, such as asking for recommendations from family and friends and searching for plumbers online. But once you have narrowed down the list, you still need to make the final decision. Read on to find the top questions to ask plumbers so you know you’re hiring the best person for the job.
Are You Licensed, Bonded, and Insured?
The fact that a plumber is licensed should be a good sign that they are a reputable professional who works hard to stay compliant with local regulations. In addition, you can generally expect a higher level of experience and skill from a licensed plumber than you would from a self-proclaimed plumber. The other thing to look at is whether the plumber is insured or bonded. A plumbing professional or company will have coverage if damages or injury occur while on the job, which gives everyone peace of mind. Otherwise, if you hire an uninsured professional you may end up liable for anything that goes wrong.
How Many Years of Experience Do You Have?
Some plumbing repairs may only need quick fixes, while others require a high level of skill. Generally, it’s best to go with an experienced plumber so that you never have to worry about whether they have the right experience needed to fix the problem. The more years of experience they have under their belt, the better. If you want to be even more sure, ask them whether they handle a lot of repairs similar to yours. For instance, according to StatisticsDatabase.com, 10% of American homes have small plumbing leaks, which surprisingly waste at least 90 gallons of water per day. That means most plumbers have experience repairing leaks, and this should put your mind at ease if you are dealing with plumbing leaks in your home.
Can You Provide Me with Referrals?
So, your plumber is saying all the right things and giving answers to your questions that tick all your boxes. There’s still one thing you need to do to verify they are legit, and that is to ask for references. To make sure you get a good picture of what the plumber is like, get at least three references and actually make an effort to contact those references to see what they have to say. When you follow up with the provided references, ask them about the type of work they hired the plumber for and the perks they enjoyed when they hired the plumber.
Can I Get a Written Estimate?
The cost of hiring a plumber is usually a priority, so you’ll naturally ask about fees and charges. However, don’t just go with a verbal estimate. Instead, ask for a written estimate with a breakdown of all the fees. Keep in mind that the estimate your plumber gives you is only accurate if they have come over to assess the problem. After they visit your home, they should be able to tell you how much everything should cost, including labor and materials.
Do You Have a Workmanship Guarantee?
Getting a guarantee on the work you’re receiving means that you can contact the plumber to fix issues that may come up in the future due to mistakes on the plumber’s part. In most instances, hiring a reputable professional means that you don’t have to deal with the same issue repeatedly. However, it’s still good to find a plumber who guarantees their work in writing. When getting a written guarantee, be sure to read and understand the fine print so you know what’s covered. A written guarantee may prove useful in the future by saving you money since the plumber will be bound to honor the guarantee and fix the issue for you.
As mentioned, dealing with plumbing problems can be a hassle, but you can save yourself a lot of stress by asking the right questions. Overall, the right plumber should make life easier for you. If you’re looking for reputable plumbers, give us a call anytime you need plumbing repairs or tips on how to keep your home’s plumbing in good condition. Get in touch with us so we can help you in any way we can.