How to Choose a Plumber

Choosing Local Plumbers

Choosing a plumber can be a scary and daunting task but it doesn’t have to be so, the first thing you want to make sure is they are local in your city or town. Choosing a local plumber is detriment; outside of geographical wisdom spending your hard earned money back in the community where your local plumber has a reputation (hopefully a good one) to uphold, can be the most significant decision you make in the construction, remodelling or plumbing repair process. When picking a plumber locally, ask friends, relatives, neighbours or business associates for endorsements about local plumbers they have used and found to be qualified and reputable.

Business

Validate they are members of the various organizations that are committed to giving customers better business services. Ask "How many years have you been in business?". It is in your greatest interest to choose a local plumber who has an extended history of doing business. Eliminate companies that jot down their "special price" on the back of a business card. Virtually half of all plumbers in North America go bankrupt because they have a history of legal and credit problems, or because their business is too new to have a reliable track record. A business or installer that has been in business for a lengthy time has demonstrated the capacity to work with customers and compete successfully with other vendors.

Company

When choosing a local plumber locally, there are numerous important factors to reflect on before signing any type of contract request: Workman’s Compensation Coverage, Liability Insurance, Municipality Licenses, Workmanship Warranties, Vehicle Insurance, Better Business Bureau Membership, current client references and a photocopy of the companies Master Plumbing License. The most significant issues to consider when deciding on a local plumber are the reputation and quality of the work of the plumber, the professionalism and business management practices of the plumber and the relationship between the plumber and the client. When you are deciding on a plumber locally you want to look the company up and confirm that their plumbing registration is current. The most significant factor in choosing a local plumber is how well you and they connect (establish a relationship); be wary of those who offer to charge you notably less than others; you get what you pay for! In regards to company culture, pick a local plumber who has a staff that cares about one another and get along amongst themselves, this will go a long way how they treat and respect their customers. How do you look into this? Call the company, if they answer, pay attention to how they answer their phones; are they joyful?.....this alone will tell you about their culture and mood!

Insurance

Does the plumber have enough insurance to cover your losses should something should go wrong and there are damages incurred? Verify that your plumber has workers’ compensation insurance and the company’s workers are protected by liability insurance while working on your home. Make sure the contract details every step of the project: payment plan; a start and end date; specific materials to be used; and a stipulation that the plumber obtain lien releases (which protect you if s/he doesn’t pay his/her bills) from sub-trade plumbers and suppliers. Evidence of insurance should be available upon request. Any injury that occurs on your property will be a claim against your insurance. Consult your insurance agent to see if the plumbing repairs are covered by your insurance. The plumber can simply present their proof of insurance by obtaining a Certificate of Insurance from their insurance company should you elect to demand it. If the plumber doesn’t produce insurance, you can be liable if any of his workers are hurt on your property. It is normal to expect at least $2,000,000 in liability insurance coverage.

Local Plumber

Locally, plumbing companies are required to have a license to work, in order to receive this license a Master Plumber must apply, if the plumbing company does not have a license move on because they are already cutting corners and you want to avoid any dealings with this disreputable company. Confirm with your local Better Business Bureau for any grievances filed against your local plumber. Ideally, find a local plumber experienced with local building and environmental codes. By no means ever monetarily compensate a plumber before your local or city inspector has signed off on that stage.

Quality of Work and materials

Many things go into a quality plumbing repair and installation job, which is why you need to educate yourself on the job you are purchasing. Does the plumbing company promote leading brands of quality water reduction equipment? Does the plumbing company have a tradition of devotion to quality and distinction backed by a family name? A quality plumber: complies with Provincial and local codes, set of laws and carries the proper business and workman’s compensation insurance. A quality plumber listens to your problems and cares about your comfort. A quality plumber can help determine if your home or building is prone to future water damage or plumbing repairs due to calcium and hardness in your water (that is another story altogether). A quality plumber is concerned about protecting your home and property and the safe being of your family. A quality plumber offers planned precautionary maintenance service to maximize the life of your fixtures, and honours the terms of the warranty on the equipment throughout the warranty time. A quality plumber does not offer price as the only consideration. A quality plumber will call you to make assurances that you are content with the service. An established plumber with a reputation for using quality materials and paying his/her bills with suppliers is further likely to do quality work for you. You deserve the very best in skill, quality, and workmanship. If the labour charges are too low, you may not receive a quality installation or plumbing repair which may lead into more tribulations. While many underground plumbers may offer you a low price, you are at major risk of obtaining feeble quality work and receiving a warranty that’s un-likely to be honoured, not to mention the legal risks involved. "The bitter taste of poor quality remains long after the sweetness of low price is forgotten."

References

Search out references for people with a comparable job, and make sure that you check them. Ask your local plumber if they can offer you with a record of references. Verify the promise by checking references or the Better Business Bureau and the number of years the organization has been in business. If a local plumber is averse to give you references, be suspicious. Beware of references who are unwilling to discuss a plumber, or who gives an unexcited reference.

Licensed

One more time, stressing the importance of sufficient licenses and insurance from your plumber is crucial. Your plumbing company should have a Master Plumber on staff at all times, their overall employees should be well trained, and knowledgeable to provide quality installations. ’Low bidders’ may well not be licensed or insured and often use cost-cutting techniques that will have an effect on the long-term integrity of your system. Pick up the phone and call your municipality or request from the plumber directly on the phone if they are licensed to work in your municipality? Don’t listen to what they are saying but how they are saying it; are they not sure and indecisive of what you are asking? Did they hesitate? If yes, continue the search!

Being confidant you have the correct plumbing company and suitable people to install drain, sewer or plumbing repair system is as important as, if not more crucial than, the material you select.

Deciding on a local plumber to do drain, sewer or plumbing repairs in your home could feel like a perplexing process we appreciate, take a deep breathe and remember to choose the company you trust! Oh yes, don’t forget to exhale!