If you’re curious about how many things you should ask your plumbing pro before they stop by your house, it’s simple. Learn more here!
10% of homes in the United States have small plumbing leaks.
A plumbing pro fixes broken drainage systems. The expert can also inspect your existing systems, clean them, and install new drainage fixtures.
For excellent results, you should work with a seasoned plumber with a remarkable level of experience in the plumbing industry. They should understand your needs and explain the appropriate plumbing options for your property.
Here are nine main questions to ask to know if you are hiring the right talent for the plumbing project.
- Is the Plumber Licensed?
A license tops the list of the most important questions to ask before hiring a plumber. Every plumber should have two main types of licenses.
The first one is the location license, which permits the plumber to operate in a particular area. The second is the work license, which authorizes the plumber to provide specialized plumbing services.
Other licenses for sewer pros include the plumbing contractor license, master plumber license, and so on. Understand the plumbing work you need to be done, and find the right plumber for that work. Confirm that the right candidate has a valid license too.
- Is the Plumber Insured?
Plumbers should be well insured to protect themselves and their clients too. In case of loss or damage on your property, the insurance will provide financial compensation.
The primary insurance covers for plumbers include the public liability insurance and the workers’ compensation cover. Public liability insurance covers the plumbing damages that happen to a third party due to the plumber’s actions.
For instance, if the plumber installs a drainage pipe wrongly and it starts to leak, the insurance will cover the losses that the leaks cause to your property.
Worker’s compensation insurance covers the health costs if the plumber gets hurt or injured while working for you. Find out the exact insurance covers that the plumbers have, and ensure that they are valid.
- Is the Plumber Experienced?
There’s nothing wrong with hiring freshly trained plumbers. However, most plumbing projects are quite technical, and they need an expert.
Consider the experience level of the plumber if your project is vast. The experienced contractor will make fewer mistakes, meaning that they will offer a better service.
Also, the sewer pro will accomplish the task within the shortest time possible, compared to the inexperienced one. Confirm the number of years that the plumber has been in the industry before you partner with them.
- What Payment Plan Does the Plumber Accept?
Many professional plumbing services firms accept milestone payments. This payment option requires the client to pay after completing any specified milestone, and it only works for the big projects.
Other firms accept the full project payments, which you can only pay after completing the project. The right plumbers will explain their payment plans to reduce the inconvenience.
Avoid the contractor who asks you to make an upfront payment before commencing the work. An upfront payment is quite risky, and you may quickly lose your hard-earned money.
Unless you trust the firm, do not pay any amount before the work is done. Also, understand the payment plan well and accept it only if you are satisfied.
- Do They Offer a Warranty?
Plumbing installations or repairs should always have a warranty.
Many plumbers provide a short warranty of fewer than 30 days. Others offer a more extended warranty, mainly if the project was vast.
The ideal plumber will explain to you the terms and conditions for their warranty. They will also tell you the right criteria for asking for the warranty.
If they can’t provide the service you need, they will connect you to other reputable plumbing contractors and explain their reasons for their decision.
- Do They Have Reviews and References?
Reviews and references can help you know the reputation of the plumber. If the past clients were satisfied with the plumbers’ services, the chances are high that you will be satisfied too.
Avoid the plumbers who can’t allow you to access their websites. Also, avoid the plumbers with less than three reviews, or those with many negative reviews.
Work with a straightforward person who handles their clients well, and responds to their reviews. You can contact a few past clients to learn more about the plumber.
- What Hours Do the Plumbers Operate?
Most plumbers provide a 24-hour service. Others only work for a maximum of twelve hours per day. Plumbers who work 8 to 12 hours per day may charge extra costs if they work overtime.
For convenience, you may choose a professional plumbing group that works both day and night. You may take their contacts too to call them in case you get an emergency plumbing job.
- Who Will You Be Working With?
Professional plumbing firms hire many contractors. If you are dealing with a plumbing company, ask them the specific individual whom you will be working with.
If your project is large, then you will require a larger team for the project. The plumbing firm may send you their trained plumbers for the work, or they may hire subcontractors.
There’s nothing wrong with the sub-contractors, but the firm should be transparent to you. They should give you the details of the contractor who will work for you so that you know whom you will be dealing with in advance.
- Does the Plumber Have the Right Tools?
It can be frustrating to hire another plumbing expert, simply because the first one did not have the right tools.
The right plumbing tools include a digital camera for the inspection, screwdrivers, tubing, pipes, brushes, and so on. These tools shorten the working period and also enhance the city plumbing efficiency. Confirm that the plumber has the right tools needed for the work.
Ask Your Plumbing Pro the Right Questions
The above nine questions can save you the trouble of working with the wrong talent. They can also help you know more about the plumber, thus, help you make an informed decision. Use the right sources to find the plumbers, and sort them well to get a reputable plumbing pro for your property.
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