Project Description

Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Plumber

When you hire a plumber, you need to make sure that you are hiring the right person for the job. The plumber you are going to hire should know what his job demands. A good way to know whether he is capable of performing the task efficiently is to ask the right questions and notice how he answers the questions. Here are a few questions that may help you interview a plumber.

Is your company licensed?

In most states, plumbing contractors need a license to practice. Licensed plumbers are likely to do a good job because they have to adhere to some requirements. These requirements include undergoing a criminal background check, fulfilling supplemental training obligations and passing a licensing exam.

They also have liability insurance and they have to pay if they cause any damage to your belongings. So it is important to make sure that the company is licensed.

What are your specialties?

Before asking a plumber to work on a project, make sure that you are asking the right person to do the right job. If the plumber does not specialize in this particular work, there is a chance that he will not do a great job. Someone who specializes in repair work may not do very well in a remodeling job. For a great outcome, choose the right person to do the job.

How much will the project cost?

A professional plumber should have a clear idea of the work and give you an estimate of how much the project may cost. Licensed plumbing companies usually provide detailed written estimates, because they can easily figure out how much the labor and materials will cost for a particular project.

Do you have references?

To know that, you can also visit referral websites such as Angie’s List. The websites of Better Business Bureau can also help you know whether the company has a good rating. You can also know whether any client filed complaints against the company and whether the company resolved the complaints.

If the company you are interviewing belongs to an organization, learn a bit about the organization. A good plumbing contractor is likely to have referrals from previous customers.

Who will do the work?

The plumber may have helpers and you must know whether they have the required experience. There is a chance that the plumber you are interviewing will not do the job. It will be done by his less experienced helpers. In that case, you may not be happy with the result.

Can you explain how the problem occurred?

An experienced plumber knows what caused the problem and how to solve it. Most often the problem is simple—the toilet or sink is clogged. But sometimes you will find it hard to detect the cause of the problem. An experienced plumber can easily figure out the cause and tell you how he is going to solve the problem.

Will you clean up your mess?

It is important to ask this question because there some plumbing companies that do not clean up the mess when they finish working. In that case, it is the homeowner who has to clean the old parts and dirty mess. Make sure that your plumber takes the matter seriously includes this task as a part of his regular work.

Will you charge an hourly or fixed rate?

When your plumber gives you an estimate, ask him if it is a flat rate or hourly rate. If the rate is flat, it will not change regardless of how many laborers work. If the rate is hourly, ask him if the cost of materials is included. There is a problem with hourly rates: If the job takes longer for any reason, you will have to pay more—even if the same materials are used.

Have you included the charge for travel time?

There are plumbers who charge for travel time. If the plumber comes from a distant place, it can be expensive for you. If you must pay for travel, consider hiring a local plumber. Hopefully you will find a plumber who lives nearby.

Do you offer emergency service?

While some plumbing companies provide 24 hour emergency service, others do not. If you find that the company you are interviewing provides 24 hour emergency services, contact them whenever a plumbing problem occurs. If the company does not provide the service, ask them to recommend a company that offers emergency services.