There are over 100,000 plumber businesses in the USA and over 3.5 million worldwide. But more than half of the plumbers have no more than a high school diploma. And to install, repair, or maintain a water system, you need the right plumber with the skills and capabilities required. But how do you choose the right plumber?
First, you must confirm the plumber is licensed and insured in case of damage during a repair or maintenance job. You can also choose one based on their reviews online or request referrals from persons who have hired one before.
The article lists various factors to consider while choosing the right plumber and how to do it. Read on to learn more.
Factors to Consider While Choosing the Right Plumber for a Job
You may be at risk of hiring a plumber who may not have the skills you require, especially if they’re still unlicensed. Luckily, there are various things you can consider while choosing the plumber to ensure they meet your standards and do a good job. And here are the things to consider:
1. License
One of the crucial factors to consider while choosing a plumber is whether they are licensed. A license is necessary as it allows you to get an idea of a person’s expertise since most states require a person to complete tests before they’re insured.
A license also creates more confidence that the person you are about to invite into your house is actually a plumber. A plumbing license in most states and countries contains the person’s name and registration or license number.
2. Experience
Another factor to consider while choosing an ideal plumber is their experience. And experience can be determined by how long the company that the plumber is working for has been in the market.
Companies with many years in service usually have experienced plumbers working for them. They are also less likely to quit on you or change terms mid-work.
3. Reviews
If you’re online browsing for a plumber, the next factor to consider is the reviews. The review sections contain comments from people who have had their plumbing work done by a specific plumber or plumbing company.
You can tell a plumbing company’s cons and pros through the reviews and decide from them. Also, you’ll tell what most customers are complaining about, and if you end up choosing the company, you can work around it.
Websites like Yelp or Angi lists contain reviews from customers on many companies and can be useful.
4. Insurance
Another crucial factor to consider when choosing an ideal plumber is whether they’re insured. Insurance is crucial, especially when dealing with repairs and maintenance works in areas prone to damage.
If the plumber causes damage to anything in the house, they should be able to pay for it. Insurance is one way of ensuring they can pay for damage, which makes it crucial.
The insurance should also be for the plumber in case he/she injures himself/herself while working.
5. Training
In case you’re considering hiring from a plumbing company, it’s necessary to know the team of plumbers who will be assigned to the job. This knowledge is important to determine their experience and skill.
Also, some solo plumbers are not the ones who do the job but rather assign to other persons. Clear with them to ensure they do the job and if not consider hiring from other companies.
6. Cost
Another necessary factor to consider when choosing a plumber for a job is the cost. The cost varies with the company and is mostly determined by factors like the plumber’s experience and the equipment they’ll use.
Also, some plumbing companies or individuals may prefer an hourly rate rather than a fixed rate. Explore different options to determine which cost suits you better without compromising on the quality of work you expect.
Once the rate is determined, you need to consider the payment due date, which is when you pay for the services. Some prefer a down payment and the rest cleared as the work proceeds. Avoid companies or individuals who want you to pay in full upfront.
The cost of materials should also be among the factors as some plumbers prefer using their own equipment. Most times the cost of the equipment bought at the plumbing company workshops is usually cheaper.
7. Response to Emergency
Once you get your plumbing work done by a certain company, it is important to be the ones responding to your emergencies and future repairs. Therefore, a plumber’s ability to respond to an emergency matter.
You need a fast-responding plumber in case of a serious leak that risks damaging the hardwood or the carpet if not stopped immediately. So explore the reviews to learn what people say about the company or the plumber’s response to emergencies.
8. Location
Location is a crucial factor especially when dealing with the earlier-mentioned emergencies. Most experts prefer you hire a plumber leaving around your area for quicker response time during an emergency.
During a search, especially online, filter the results to show local plumbers and plumbing companies first. Other than ensuring first responders during emergencies, you will help the local community grow by supporting local businesses.
9. Background Checks
For your own safety, it’s necessary to do a background check on a plumber you’re about to hire. You can begin by ensuring their names and license number match the information on their identification numbers.
Background check is a crucial factor as it can help you discover a fake plumber before inviting them to your house. There are a lot of cases where owners, especially those who are not at home to supervise, found some of their items stolen.
How to Choose the Right Plumber for a Job?
With the factors mentioned above in mind, you can now begin the journey to choose the right plumber for your job.
1. Begin the Search Early
Time can decide the quality of plumber you get and whether they’ll be up to your standards. You must start searching for one early so you have enough time to compare companies and go through the reviews.
Starting the search sooner will also give you enough time to get all the finances and materials the plumber or the plumbing company will need.
2. Compare Companies
Don’t settle immediately on any plumbing company or plumber you find and allow yourself to evaluate more options. Comparing companies will give you more options regarding the cost and time the job will take to complete.
You can use websites, like craft.co or Glassdoor to compare your findings and decide the best one.
3. Referrals
Ask friends who have hired a plumber for referrals on a plumber or plumbing company they used. You can also ask people who have worked on other parts of your home for a referral.
4. Consider Multiple Quotes
After deciding on a shortlist of plumbers or plumbing companies that you can consider hiring, request a quote from each. Ensure you’re clear on whether the rate is hourly or fixed not to get a surprise bill. You can also request a cost breakdown to understand what is covered in that quote.
Also, request to know how long the job will take and all the fixtures that will be needed. The information on price and time is crucial and experienced plumbers should be able to give you an accurate quote.
5. Look for Guarantees
Request for a guarantee from the plumber or the plumbing company that their work will be satisfactory. A guarantee may be a person that you may know that they had worked for.
However, in most cases, you just take a word from their manager. For companies with websites, you can find guarantees from the reviews and ratings from their previous customers.
FAQs
Following are the frequently asked questions on this topic and their answers.
It’s necessary to hire a plumbing professional living near your area, mostly due to emergencies. They’ll be able to respond to an emergency faster, and visiting their offices is also easier.
A plumber who is licensed is more trustable both professionally and ethically. It’s beneficial to you to hire a licensed plumber since most states require plumbers to have a license. However, you can compromise if the job doesn’t require too much professionalism.
The hourly rate for most plumbers is between $40 and $200, varying with the professional and the type of work. In an average home, you can spend past $4,000 to install a new kitchen or bathroom high-end faucet.
Conclusion
Whether it’s an emergency or you’re installing a water system in your house, you’ll need to hire a professional. After considering the factors listed in the article, you should have an idea of how to get one.
If you can’t find a plumber you can trust, you can request help and references from friends or contractors who have worked for you. Once you get your ideal plumber, ask for the crucial details on cost and time to get an estimated value.