Hiring a plumbing company can seem like a daunting task. How do you know which one is right for the job? What should you look for when comparing companies? Here are a few things to consider when hiring a plumbing contractor.
1. Check the Reviews
You know your friend’s opinion of their plumber is biased, so don’t just rely on what they say. Instead, do a little research and find out how others feel about the plumbing contractor you are considering hiring. You can check out reviews on Google, Yelp, Angie’s List and other review sites to see if anyone else has had a good or bad experience with the plumber you are thinking about hiring.
2. Get a Written Estimate & Contract in Place
If you are considering hiring a plumber, then make sure you get everything in writing before they start the job. You should always get a written estimate of what the project will cost and how long it will take to complete. Also, do your research on how to estimate a plumbing job so you know the process and don’t get ripped off by overpriced quotes.
If there are any changes, additions or extras that occur during the job, then you should also have those things written down as well so that nothing is missed when it comes time to pay for the service. A written contract or agreement between you and your plumber is a good idea because it will outline all of the details of what’s included in the service and how much it will cost.
3. Ask About Their Experience Level & Reputation
The best way to determine if someone knows what they are doing is by asking them questions about their experience level and reputation in the industry. You can ask them how long they have been in business and how many jobs they have done similar to yours (if applicable).
If you get a feeling that this person doesn’t really know what they are doing or isn’t confident in their answers, then it may be best to move onto another candidate for hire. It never hurts to ask these types of questions as it will help you avoid making an expensive mistake down the road when hiring someone who isn’t qualified for the job at hand.
4. Check Their License & Insurance
A good first step when checking into any type of contractor is to make sure they have a valid license and insurance in place for plumbing work. Make sure that their license is current and that they have enough liability insurance to cover any potential damages if something were to go wrong during the job from fixing toilet swirls to aligning the showerhead. If you aren’t comfortable with their licensing or insurance, then you may want to look elsewhere for another contractor that meets your standards.
5. Get References & Check Them Out
The best way to determine if someone is reliable is by checking out their references. Ask them for at least three references from previous customers who have had work done similar to yours and call each one to see what they have to say about their experience with this particular contractor. If you don’t get good reviews, then consider looking elsewhere for another candidate who has better customer satisfaction ratings.
6. Ask About Their Insurance Coverage
If you have a potential plumbing contractor come out to your home, then make sure that they have adequate insurance coverage. You should ask them how much liability insurance they carry and what it covers in case of an accident or damage to your property. If they don’t have enough coverage, then consider looking elsewhere for someone who has more than enough insurance to cover any damage that may occur during the job.
7. Get a Guarantee & Written Warranty on the Work
If you are hiring a plumber to do work on your home, then make sure they provide some type of guarantee or warranty on their work. This will ensure that any problems with their workmanship will be covered by them if anything goes wrong down the road. Also, get a written contract from the plumber stating what is included in the service and how much it will cost so there are no surprises when it comes time to pay for the job.
