When you need the help of a plumber at your home, it is essential that you find the right company. Because not all plumbers or plumbing companies are alike. Sadly, many claim to be plumbers. But they are little more than handymen who are dabbling in plumbing, drain cleaning and pipe repairs.
And in addition to your new plumber’s skill and experience, you need to know that the company is reputable and will stand behind their work. The following list of questions can be used as guidelines for information that you should learn about any plumber that you are considering for work at your home.
- Are you licensed, bonded, and insured? Anyone can claim to be a plumber. However, each state has stringent requirements for a person to obtain a plumber’s license. To meet these criteria, the person must have the proper training and experience to become licensed. In addition, being bonded and insured shows you that the plumber is running a legitimate business and is prepared to take full financial responsibility in the event of an accident or issue at home. Never allow an unlicensed plumber to touch your plumbing system.
- What is the total cost of the job? Many plumbers will offer an estimate for a job. But be sure to get a complete job cost so that there are no surprises when the work is done. An honest plumber will be happy to provide this document. And in the event of something unforeseen arising, he or she will come to you and explain why the job might cost more than the original cost quote.
- What is the payment process? Some companies will ask for a 50% deposit and the final 50% when the job is done. This option is not unusual. But never work with any company that demands full payment before the job is started. This prepayment is a sign of a scam, and you can lose a great deal of money and never have the plumbing work completed.
- Who will be working at my home? Many plumbing companies have one master plumber and then many apprentices who work under that plumber. You need to know who will be in your home and who will be doing the work. A more in-depth job that requires experience and expertise should be done only by a licensed plumber. You also have the right to ask if all company employees have been screened before hiring. Most plumbing companies require a drug screening and background check before hiring to provide their clients peace of mind.
- Do you provide a list of references that I can contact? Reading a list of testimonials on a website is not the same as speaking to actual customers. A reputable and reliable plumbing company should offer numerous names of previous clients for you to contact. When you talk to these people, the first question you should ask is, would they hire this plumber again. That will tell you a lot about the company and how easy they are to work with.
- What is your warranty policy? You hope never to need the warranty on your plumbing work, but nothing is perfect. And an honest plumber understands that and offers a great warranty. The warranty should cover both parts and labor for any repair needed. It is also essential to know that the warranty is only as stable or reliable as the company offering it. So ask how long the company has been in business. New companies are more likely to fail in the first few years, meaning your warranty is worthless.
When looking for a mechanic for your car or a doctor for a family member, you invest much time to find the perfect fit. And you need to make that same effort in selecting the ideal plumber for your home.
At A Better Plumber, we have been serving the community for years. And in that time, we have built a strong reputation for honesty, reliability, and fair pricing. All of our work is backed by a full warranty and our industry best 100% customer satisfaction guarantee. But we don’t want you to take our word for it. We offer a long list of satisfied customers who will be happy to tell you about their experience working with us. Just call our office at (301) 278-8786 to learn more about our team and to obtain a copy of our reference list.
