4 Important Things To Look For When Hiring a Plumber
If you are looking for a plumber, then chances are you already have a big problem and you are not looking for another one. You need someone who is reliable and professional, but how do you find them? There are often an overwhelming number of choices, and we have all heard horror stories.
Time is of the essence, too. Plumbing problems often get worse the longer it takes to fix them. Here are the most important things you need to know to choose quickly and maximise your chances of hiring the right person for the job.
- Relevant Customer Reviews – Thanks to the internet, customers are now able to review most contractors for others to see. If you already know the names of some plumbers, google them and see what people have to say about them. Or you can search using the name of your area, such as ‘Quaker Hill Plumbers.’
Obviously, a lot of negative reviews are a red flag. Positive reviews are a good sign, but remember that you have a specific problem to solve. Skim through the reviews and see whether anyone had a problem similar to yours and whether they were satisfied with the outcome.
- Appropriate Insurance – Once you have checked the reviews and narrowed down a shortlist of plumbers to choose from, then it is time to ask them some questions. An important thing to ask any prospective hire about is insurance.
Who needs to pay for repairs if the plumber accidentally damages your property? What about if the plumber gets injured while working for you? Professionals should be covered for these. Even if they are very good at what they do, they know accidents can happen and that their customers should not have to pay for them.
- Experience – Insurance is a must, but it is much easier if nothing goes wrong in the first place. Reviews are a good starting place for avoiding them, but sometimes it is hard to find any that are relevant to the job you need doing. The next best thing is to ask the plumber about their experience.
Plumbers with lots of experience are more likely to have dealt with your issue before, which means they can probably give you a better estimate of the cost and time. They may also be able to complete the work faster.
- Warranty – The last line of defence against faulty workmanship is a warranty. This is an agreement that the plumber will fix their work at no extra cost if it turns out to be faulty within a certain amount of time.
In some places, like Western Australia, this is the law, but experienced professionals are usually happy to guarantee their work. However, you should clarify this with them before they start.
Conclusion
Do not be afraid to ask about these things. Any genuine professional will answer your questions and try to put you at ease. They will understand that you are just being diligent, not questioning their ability or character.
And if researching these things leads you to the right plumber, then remember to help out others who might be looking by leaving a good review.
