What to Ask Your Plumber Before They Get Started
by Guest Post on Mar 6, 2018
It’s tempting to save money by trying to get clever with home improvement and doing it yourself. In some cases, it’s not a bad idea at all, especially if you have a little background in working with your hands. However, this may backfire when it comes to certain areas of the home, like plumbing. According to Fix It Right Plumbers, “Plumbing is a tricky thing. We have attended many jobs that could have been straightforward but actually turned out to be quite difficult. Changing tap washers, for example, seems easy, however, if you encounter a more serious problem (like a cracked seat) then you could have an emergency on your hands.
It's best to leave all plumbing jobs, even small ones, to the professionals. We have dealt with lots of customers who wish they had not had a go themselves.” However, leaving jobs to the professionals does not mean blind trust. Like any time you enter into business with someone or a company, it’s a good idea to have some questions prepared to figure out if they are the best match for your needs. Here are some of the things to keep in mind.
Formality Questions
In general, even though a simple search of your plumber’s website can answer some of this subset of questions, you still want to take a moment to ask a few of these technical questions if you’re not sure about something or just want a piece of mind.
For starters, be sure to ask about the plumber’s licensing. Basically, any working plumber has to perform certain government testing at various points to prove that they are certified for plumbing at their county, region, or state levels. Most plumbers have to get re-certified on an annual basis to ensure that they are up to date with certain building codes. This is an important distinction to make. Why is licensing so important? Well, if your plumber doesn’t know the current building codes, your plumbing may actually be against the law. There is also the practical concern of a plumber who may not know what they are doing. This is extremely rare, but it can’t hurt to ask.
Another thing to check for is to see if your plumber has proper builder's risk, bonds, and workers' compensation insurance. This means that you have the stability in the case of accidents or thefts, rather than risking you being on the hook in the case of an accident. Depending on the nature of the job you may need to be done, it may also make sense to ask for credentials and references. Most established plumbers will have no little difficulty putting together references from past clients. Keep an eye out for memberships with local contractor organizations, the BBB, or plumber unions.
Pricing Questions
These issues will generally sum up whether or not this plumber is safe to work with. The next thing to be concerned about is whether or not this plumber is within the budget to work with. To start, you need to figure out exactly what service fees they charge. Generally, while you have to pay for a job and labor fees for a plumbing job, there is also a service fee that gets charged just for the plumber to come out. This is essentially compensation if you get cold feet and don’t want the job done or can’t have it done right away. Asking now means no surprises later.
The second thing to ask about is the actual estimate for the job and how they want to be paid. For larger jobs, most plumbers will charge per milestone on the project, and for smaller jobs, they will simply get paid upon completion of the task. Asking for upfront payment is a red flag that you may not be working with a professional. Some plumbers charge for travel time as well, so be sure to ask that over the phone before getting one to come over. A plumber making a long trip can be prohibitively costly, even if they are the best match for the job.
Plumbers are an essential service for any homeowner, but not all plumbers are equal. This doesn’t mean one is good or one is bad, but different plumbers specialize in different areas. Doing research beforehand and asking the right questions helps you piece all of these matters together.
Popular Articles
Three Places to Spend Money on the Exterior of Your Home
When you have the exterior of your home remodeled, you are investing, time, energy and convenience into the project and you want to make sure that...
92350 Views
Homemade Headboards-Make an Upholstered or Wooden Headboard
Homemade headboards can add a lot of personality to any bedroom. They can be coordinated with existing furniture and room decor or they can be the...
73169 Views
When to Use a Brush, Roller or Sponge Brush
Brushes are a good choice for painting trim and woodwork. They are also useful for cutting in the edges around the top and bottom edges and corners...
71270 Views
Creating a Cottage Kitchen with Bead Board
Kitchen decor can range from modern and bold to elegant and elaborate by using strategic kitchen pieces. One of the most popular decorating trends...
51725 Views
Gas Fireplace Diagnostics and Troubleshooting
Follow these steps for diagnosing and troubleshooting Gas Fireplaces repairs. For the average DIYer, this may seem intimidating, depending on the...
30177 Views
Latest Articles
Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs): A Beginner's Guide
By combining the advantages of stock market and real estate investing, Real Estate Investment Trusts, or REITs, offer an alluring investment...
on Dec 19, 2024
Global Real Estate Trends: What’s Driving Property Investments This Year?
For investors hoping to optimise returns in the ever-changing world of real estate, knowing current trends is not merely a matter of staying...
on Dec 19, 2024
5 Reasons to Use Gutter Cleaning Services
Gutters protect your home from water damage by directing rainwater away from your roof, walls, and foundation. However, they often required regular...
on Nov 14, 2024
Before You Sign: How Home Inspections Identify Hidden Hazards in Your Future Home
Buying a home is exciting, but hidden dangers can turn that dream into a nightmare if not addressed early on. Beyond what is visible during a...
on Oct 18, 2024
The Appeal and Longevity of Natural Oil Finishes for Hardwood Floors
Hardwood floors exude warmth, character, and timeless appeal in any home. To preserve and enhance these qualities, choosing the right finish is...
on May 17, 2024
Featured Articles
What Type of Licensed Contractor Should You Hire?
on Feb 28, 2017
Hire Contractors / Estimates
Looking for a specialty project? There are many types of contractors available for your home improvement needs. Finding the right type of...
Sponsored Articles
Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs): A Beginner's Guide
on Dec 19, 2024
Real Estate / Finance
By combining the advantages of stock market and real estate investing, Real Estate Investment Trusts, or REITs, offer an alluring investment...
Global Real Estate Trends: What’s Driving Property Investments This Year?
on Dec 19, 2024
Real Estate / Finance
For investors hoping to optimise returns in the ever-changing world of real estate, knowing current trends is not merely a matter of staying...
Actions
Top Categories
- Garden / Landscaping / Patio — 263
- Kitchen / Bathrooms — 240
- Real Estate / Finance — 200
- Appliance / Repair — 186
- Interior Design / Decor — 184
- HVAC / Air Conditioning — 147
- Cleaning / Maintenance — 144
- Improvements / Remodeling — 131
- Plumbing / Basements — 118
- Floors / Tile / Hardwood — 116
- Doors / Garages — 113
- Safety / Security — 113
Articles Archive
More DIY Articles
Choosing Vinyl Flooring
It is sometimes very hard to determine the advantages and disadvantages when choosing a new vinyl floor for your home. You may remember it as the...
Things You Need to Add to Improve Your Kitchen
Do you finally want to make your dream kitchen a reality? If you do, there are some of the things you need to invest in. If you decided to work...
5 Reasons to Install a New Garage Door
Replacing your garage door is a significant decision. Depending on what way your home faces on the street, you might want to change the door in...
Tracing Roof Leaks
It is a beautiful sunny day, but it does not mean you can ignore the fact that your roof may be leaking. You may not know what to do when this...
How to Compost and How it Works
Look at any thriving forest and you will see composting in action. The complex interplay of green plants, fungi, bacteria and other microscopic...