Make Sure Your Plumber is the Best of the Best
Hiring a plumber can be an intimidating task. You’ll be inviting this person into your home to work on a system you rely on every day, and you need to make sure they’re qualified and trustworthy. Fortunately, it only takes a bit of questioning to find out if your potential plumber has what it takes to be welcomed into your home.
1 – Are You Licensed and Insured?
This is a big one. A licensed plumber is one that’s gone through a rigorous training and testing program and has access to professional-grade resources such as manufacturer information, specialty equipment, and more. Insurance makes sure that you won’t have to pay for any injuries or damages that occur on the job.
2 – What Will This Cost Me?
Make sure you know exactly what the job will cost before things get started. You should know up-front if you’ll be paying a flat or hourly rate, what parts you may have to pay for and what they cost, and what every charge on your bill is for. Don’t get caught unawares by hidden fees, upcharges, or extra labor costs.
3 – Who Will be Doing the Work?
Is the plumber negotiating with you and telling you the price going to be the one performing the work? If not, make sure that the plumber is also trained, licensed, and insured – don’t let your home be put in the hands of an inexperienced or apprentice plumber.
4 – Is there Going to Be a Mess Left Behind?
Half of the reason we hire plumbers is to avoid the mess. You want to be hiring a plumber who will respect your home and your time by cleaning up after themselves. Ask your potential plumber if they make it their policy to clean up after every job, from the most routine drain cleaning to the most involved repiping.
5 – When Do I Pay?
Does your plumber want a down payment now, and the rest when the job’s complete? Do they have “milestones” throughout the service process where payment is required to move forward? It’s important to understand when they want payment and in what amounts. Also, it’s best to avoid plumbers who want full payment upfront – you want to see the finished product before you pay in full!
Want to ask our plumbers these questions? Call (530) 223-5622 to meet the Wallner Plumbing Heating & Air team today!
