Tips To Find the Right Plumber
If your water heater is acting up, the garbage disposal is clogged, or you have a leaky pipe, plumbers are your go-to experts. But it can be hard to find the right one for the job. Here’s some advice on finding a plumber and getting the most for your money.
Make Sure Your Plumber Is Licensed and Insured
This goes without saying. You wouldn’t want to hire a doctor that wasn’t licensed by the state, so why hire an unlicensed and uninsured plumber? Or when you need to find a great plumber to find out whether your plumber is licensed, you can check with your state’s licensing board. Before hiring a plumber, confirm that the person or company has workers’ compensation insurance and liability insurance as well.
Choose Your Plumber Carefully
When choosing a plumber, think about how long the work will take (most pros can give you an estimate over the phone), how much it will cost (usually you can get this information from past customers), whether they carry liability insurance, and if they have experience working on older homes like yours. Visit their website to check out their history. Ask for references like https://www.southwestplumbing.biz/plumbing/ or call the person or company that referred them.
Know How Much They Will Charge Before Hiring Them
Once you’ve made your appointment, ask how much they estimate it will cost—and be sure to confirm this before they come out to the house. You can also find a detailed breakdown of prices on HomeAdvisor’s website. Beware of hidden fees; some plumbers will tack on additional charges such as a service call fee, lift or haul charge, or a $50 document preparation charge.
Review Their References And Testimonials
If you can’t reach the plumber directly, search for past customers’ feedback on Google and Yelp. Ask if they are a member of the Better Business Bureau and look at their ratings. Read over the reviews before picking a winner. Also ask if they’ve had plumbing problems in the past.
Check The Local Inventory Of Home Equipment
Most major home improvement retailers issue consumer alerts when supplies run low, so check with them before you go out and buy something. They may also have a waiting list for this type of equipment.
