While no one wants to deal with a plumbing emergency, it is almost inevitable that you will be faced with a burst pipe, a blocked drain, or an overflowing toilet at some point. Fortunately, when a plumbing emergency arises, having an experienced plumber by your side can help to reduce your stress and return your house to normal as soon as possible. However, when hiring a plumbing professional, it is important that you take your time and ask potential plumbers the right questions.
Asking a prospective plumber, the right questions will help to make sure that you partner with a knowledgeable, experienced plumber who will be able to solve your plumbing problems in a quick and efficient manner. To help you find an experienced plumber in your area, here is a look at 6 questions you should ask prospective plumbers before you make a decision.
How Long Have You Been in Business?
One of the first things you should ask before hiring a plumber is how long they have been in business. The fact is that plumbing problems often require complex, intricate fixes, and you do not want someone who is brand new to the industry working on your home, particularly if your plumbing problem is tricky. If your plumbing problem is particularly complex and your plumber does not have the right experience, they may find themselves guessing as they try to find a solution. This could cause your repair to become lengthy and expensive, particularly if your plumber makes mistakes. It is then critical that you not only find out how long a plumber has been in business, but you should also ask if they have encountered problems like yours. Finding a plumber with the right experience will ensure that they provide the highest quality work possible.
Are You Insured?
Perhaps the most important question you should ask a plumber is whether they are insured. You should only work with a plumber if they are properly insured and are willing to provide proof that they have sufficient liability and worker’s compensation insurance. Why is this so important? The fact is that if you hire a plumber who is not insured and something goes wrong on the job, you may be held liable for any subsequent injuries or property damage that occurred in your home, even if the plumber was at fault. If a plumber is not insured, and they injure themselves in your home, you may be liable for their injuries. Checking to make sure that a plumber has valid insurance is then critical to ensure you are properly protected.
Who Will Be Doing the Work?
Before choosing a plumber to work on your home, it is also important that you find out who will be doing the work. While the manager/owner you talk to on the phone may seem knowledgeable, trustworthy, and experienced, you never know who they will send out to perform work on your plumbing. It is then important that you make sure to find out who will be working on your home. You should also ask whether the manager/owner will be overseeing the job, and you should find out what kind of training, experience, or certification their employees or subcontractors have. You want to make sure that whoever will be working on your home has the experience you are looking for. Additionally, if a plumbing company primarily relies on subcontractors, you should find out how they vet these contractors to make sure that they can be trusted and have the right experience.
What is The Estimated Total Cost for This Job?
It is also important that you find out what a plumber charges, and how they break down their fees before you agree to have any work done. However, it is important to remember that a plumber cannot give you a definitive estimate until they have seen your plumbing situation in person. At HomeWise Plumbing in some cases we can provide you with a general estimate to give you an idea of cost, but until we assess the issue in person it is hard to provide an exact cost for labour and materials. Most plumbers will charge a service fee to come inspect your plumbing, but a reputable plumber will be transparent about this when you make an appointment. After a plumber has assessed the issue and provides an estimate, make sure that you find out what the estimate includes. Is it inclusive of all materials and fees, so there are no surprises?
Do You Offer a Warranty on Your Work?
Of course, before you decide to have a plumber work on your home, it is important that you find out if they offer warranty on their work. Experienced plumbers who believe in the quality of their work are willing to stand behind it by offering a time-based warranty. Making sure a plumber offers a warranty is critical, as it can help to protect you on the off chance that something goes wrong soon after the project is completed. Additionally, a plumber offering a warranty is often indicative that they do quality work, as no plumber wants to have to come back and redo a job. A plumber who offers a warranty will strive to do the job right the first time. If a plumber offers a warranty, make sure that you find out how long the job will be warrantied for and that you get a copy of the warranty in writing.
Take your time when choosing a plumber to work on your home. Check out their online presence and reviews to ensure they are reputable. If you have encountered a plumbing issue in your home, feel free to contact us to learn about our plumbing services, ask us these important questions, as well as book a service.