Recently, our hot water tank blew out and we had to do some research on hiring a plumber. Plumbing situations arise when we least expect them.
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There are some tips for hiring a plumber you need to know! The good news is with the right research and patience, you can find the perfect plumber for any situation.
Hiring A Plumber
A plumbing crisis can occur at any time. If left unattended, a small plumbing problem such as a leaking faucet or burst pipe can cause a lot of damage.
Having a qualified plumber on speed dial might save you plenty of money. It did for us and I’m hoping it will for you too. We went through three hot water tanks since we purchased our home. Sadly, I know it won’t be the last tank that needs replacing too.
Below, you will find some great tips that will help you to hire the most qualified plumber.
1 – Ask Around
Instead of relying on the internet, you should consider using word of mouth when looking for the best local plumbers. If you need help with toilet blockage problems, you should ask your family and friends for a recommendation. One of your closest friends might have the number of a good and reliable plumber for toilet blockage.
When we replaced our first hot water tank, we didn’t ask around for references. That was a huge mistake. When hiring a plumber always be sure to check with neighbors. We found them to be one of our greatest resources.
2 – Explore Different Options
Before you choose the best plumber, you should do some research and make a list of qualified plumbers. When you talk to professionals from different plumbing companies, you will have more options.
To narrow down your list, you should call the plumbing companies to understand their values and the kind of services that they offer. From a simple phone call, you can learn a lot about the company.
I know so many folks that never pick up the phone and actually call the company when hiring a plumber. Trust me, it’s not a waste of time and absolutely necessary to speak with them directly.
3- Always Research Experience Level When Hiring A Plumber
When it comes to experience, the more experience a plumber has the better. It’s a good idea to look for a plumber who has been working for several years with a proven record of accomplishment.
You should also look for the company’s online reviews to find out what people think of it. Of course, you do not want to end up with a plumber from a badly rated company.
When checking online ratings, don’t make your decision based on one negative review. Remember that online reviews can be misleading at times. That’s why you have to ask around and speak with the company as well.
4- Ensure the Plumber Has a License
When hiring a plumber, you need to make sure that they have a valid license. A simple online search should unearth the plumber’s credentials.
I was shocked when I discovered that in my state, PA, there is no plumbing licensing requirement at this time, however, Pennsylvania PHCC is working on this. It’s important to check your state’s requirements and then decide which way you want to go when hiring a plumber.
5 – Warranty
A professional plumber should be confident enough in his work to give you a warranty on his labor and parts. If a plumber refuses to give you a warranty, you should consider hiring another person. A warranty is necessary, as it gives you peace of mind and lets you know that a plumber is reliable.
For example, our hot water tank only had a six-year warranty. When we had the last tank replaced, we didn’t really ask what the warranty was, and had we known, we might have purchased a different tank.
6 – Interpersonal Skills When Hiring A Plumber
You need to choose a person that makes you feel comfortable. If you get along well, it could end up being a long-term relationship, which means that you do not have to look for another plumber. When you establish a good relationship, you can call the same person to repair future plumbing problems.
For example, interpersonal skills are key when hiring anyone, especially when hiring a plumber. There’s a handyman we hire from time to time and he clearly skilled at his job but his interpersonal skills seem severely lacking.
At times, he raised his voice when speaking to me! Needless to say, we never worked with him again.
7 – Accurate Appraisals
A professional plumber should be able to tell you what’s wrong and give you a good assessment of the cost too. Because plumbing problems come unexpectedly, you need a plumber who can give you an accurate estimate of how much money you will spend.
8 – References
For small plumbing jobs, references are not necessary. However, if the plumbing job is big, a plumber should give you references. Talking to previous clients is the best way to determine the plumber’s reliability and expertise. If a plumber refuses to give references, consider looking elsewhere.
If you need a plumber to handle a big job, you should make sure that they have a good rating from past clients. You need to avoid plumbers with many complaints from clients; you do not want to find out for yourself why the other customers are complaining.
The above tips will help you when it’s time for you to start hiring a plumber. You should take your time when choosing a plumber because even the smallest mistake can result in expensive damages.
Don’t make the same mistakes we did when hiring a plumber. It’s always about learning valuable lessons.
