Top 5 Questions to Ask Your Residential Plumber Before Hiring Them
Many people may have experience tinkering with their own plumbing, but when it comes to hiring a plumber to do major work, you want to make sure that they have the proper credentials. This includes licensing, insurance, and references.
You should also ask if they offer a warranty on their work. This will give you peace of mind in case something goes wrong after the job is finished.
1. How long have you been in business?
It’s important to hire a plumber who has extensive experience handling the type of plumbing job you need. For example, if you need a new water heater installed, you want to be sure your plumber has plenty of experience in that particular field.
It can also be helpful to ask for references from previous clients. This can give you a sense of their professionalism, work quality and pricing.
Additionally, find out whether or not the plumber charges by the hour. If they do, it’s important to get this information in writing, so you’re not surprised with a bill later on. Most plumbers will provide a quote once they’ve looked at the job and understand its scope. This will include the cost for labor and materials.
2. Do you have a license?
Many states take plumbing licensing very seriously and require all plumbers to be licensed. This will also ensure that they are insured and bonded, which is a huge benefit for you as the homeowner.
This is an important question to ask, as it will give you peace of mind that the plumber is not going to be scamming you or overcharging for their services. You can check online to see if they have a license by visiting your state’s government website.
If they don’t have a license, it is not a good idea to hire them for any type of work at your home. This could lead to a lot of headaches down the road for you and your family. Also, if they request money upfront before beginning the job, this is another red flag.
3. Do you have insurance?
If you are hiring a plumber to work on a home plumbing issue, you should find out whether they have insurance. This question will help you avoid a bad experience if something goes wrong during the repair or installation process. This is because most plumbers have insurance that covers them for accidents and other incidents that may occur on your property.
Additionally, asking about the plumber’s insurance will ensure that they take their job seriously and have a professional attitude. A good plumber will also be willing to provide you with references from previous customers who have hired them for plumbing services. If a plumber doesn’t have any references to give you, it is a red flag that they don’t take their jobs seriously.
4. Do you offer a warranty?
A plumber that offers a warranty will give you peace of mind knowing they are confident in their work. If something goes wrong with the job they’ve completed, they will come back and fix it for free.
This is an important question because you want to make sure the plumber takes their work seriously and has a solid track record. If a plumber has a lot of issues with their license, it’s probably best to look for someone else.
It’s also good to find out if they offer any upfront pricing, or at least a rough estimate over the phone. If they can’t provide an accurate price without visiting your home, this is a red flag and should be avoided. A reputable plumber will be able to give you an estimate once they see the scope of the project.
5. Do you charge by the hour?
If your plumbing problem is urgent, such as a burst pipe, it’s important that the plumber you hire be able to give you a reasonable estimate of when they can come to fix the issue. Choosing a plumber that has a lot of experience with the type of work you need will mean that they know how to do the job quickly and efficiently, saving you money in the long run.
Ask the plumber if they offer a guarantee on their work, and if so, what it covers. This will protect you if they accidentally damage something in your home while working on it.
It’s also a good idea to find out if cleanup is included in the estimate. Otherwise, you could end up with a huge mess to clean up after they leave!
