Plumbers assist with the installation and repairs of your plumbing system. Therefore, even if you love DIY projects at some point, you’ll need the help of a professional plumbing contractor. Unfortunately, for many people, they only begin looking for one when a plumbing issue arises. However, it’s essential to have an expert plumber who you can call at any time whether for leaking detection, toilet unclogging or any other service. Bear in mind that plumbing issues not only affect the value of your home but also pose risks to your health.

But, with many plumbers available, how do you determine the best one for you? We’ll talk about some of the qualities to look for in an expert and which questions to ask.

First, Understand That Plumbers Are Different

Before we get to the tips, it’s important that we begin our discussion from this point. Contrary to what many people think, plumbers are not the same. You, therefore, should determine the type of plumber you need before searching for one. Plumbers have different areas of specialization. While others prefer to install new plumbing systems as you’ll need in a remodeling job, others don’t mind service calls like drain cleaning.

These technicians have specialty licenses that indicate their designation as per their experience. Journeymen and master plumbers are the most experienced. But, usually, master ones have their businesses while journeymen work under a company.

Things to Consider When Looking for a Plumber

Although plumbers vary in specialty and experience, there are some common things that you’ll find in professional plumbers. These include:

License and Insurance

Proper license and insurance protect both the plumber and the client. A license indicates that an individual can offer expert plumber service while insurance frees you from any liabilities should a contractor get injured on the job.

Ensure that they have a valid and up to date license. You can check your state website for this information. Again, look for at least $500,000 in liability insurance. Of course, homeowners are offered some protection by standard policies. But the last thing you want is to be held liable for accidents since your technician isn’t insured.

Ask to see the insurance certificate and if possible call the insurer to determine which policies are enforced.

Members of Trade Associations or Community Groups

This is often an overlooked factor, but very important. Businesses that don’t receive support from their community will likely not survive for the long haul. Homeowners should, therefore, look for companies that are members of trade associations like the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), International Code of Council (ICC) and National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA). Or you can determine whether they’re members of community groups like Chambers of Commerce that sponsor school events, fundraisers as well as leagues. Businesses that invest in their community are likely to have earned their reputation from providing top-notch services and not through slick advertising.

References

For plumbers who’ve been in the industry for a long time, you can read reviews on their websites. But, new ones may not have many reviews since they’ve done a few projects. In this case, you can ask for references from recent projects. Ensure that you call those references and ask questions like: What was the experience working with plumber X, which projects did they work on, would they hire plumber X again, etc.

Warranty

Professionals have confidence in their work and will stand by it. Plumbers should offer a workmanship warranty for their clients. Also, they should be familiar with the manufacturer’s warranty on the products they install.

Great Personal Attributes

Even if a person is an expert plumber, if they don’t have great personal attributes, you’ll not enjoy working with them. Find out how they talk with their clients. Are they respectful, polite and patient? Specialists who pay great attention when interacting with clients will most likely do a good job.

Where to Look for a Plumbing Contractor?

With the advancement in technology, homeowners can search plumbing companies near them on the internet. However, not all companies that appear on top pages are reputable. Some are simply savvy digital marketers. That, however, doesn’t mean that a company cannot be good at both plumbing and digital marketing.

The best place to find an expert plumber is to get recommendations from friends or family members you can trust. You can also use online referral sources like HomeAdvisor but be careful on these sites. Additionally, you can check print or TV ads, but plumbers who advertise here are expensive compared to those who rely on word of mouth.

Questions to Ask a Plumbing Contractor

Well, after going through various sources you should write a list of few plumbers to call. Don’t make this list long. About four to five companies are enough. However, the real challenge usually is what to ask. Here are some questions that homeowners should ask.

• Hong long have you been operating?
• Have you worked on this similar project before?
• Approximately how long will this project take?
• What community groups or Associations do you belong to?
• Do you offer quotes?

Final Thoughts

Finding a good plumber takes some work. However, it is worth it since plumbing projects are complex and expensive. Once you find one, remember that communication is essential for a successful plumbing project. Ensure that your technician knows about your expectations, concerns, budget, modifications, etc. Proper communication helps minimize mistakes or surprises. The Plumber Inc prides themselves on great communication and quality service.