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There’s a lot to consider when hiring someone to come work on any aspect of your home. Your plumbing – all the pipes, drains, water fixtures and other water-related equipment – represents a pretty vital component of your home’s systems. It makes sense that people tend to be a little intimidated about finding the right plumber to work with.
Whether you have a leaky faucet, running toilet or are planning a bathroom remodel, having a reliable plumbing professional to work with can save you time and money. You also want to hire someone who you feel comfortable asking questions and voicing concerns.
There are some things to consider before hiring a plumber. Hopefully these tips will help you choose the right plumbing professional for your needs.
When you start looking for a plumber, you will likely notice a slew of local and national chain companies to choose from. Some people prefer to support a local business, while others feel more comfortable with a large company. You can also research a plumber’s license and insurance information through your state’s websites.
The information available on the internet is equal parts helpful and misleading, but reading reviews of a company is a valuable part of your search. There are lots of ways a company may get online reviews. Look at Google Reviews and other legitimate review sites. Do a Google search of their business and look for their business listing. You will see the number of Google Reviews they have, and be able to read individual reviews. If they have a Facebook business page, there may be reviews there as well.
The recommendation of a client is always the best marketing for any business. Ask family and friends to share their plumber’s contact information with you. Don’t hesitate to ask your neighbors for recommendations of local plumbers as well.
Once you’ve narrowed down your list of options, take some time to have an initial phone conversation with them where you will essentially interview them and discuss important details such as qualifications, experience, and rates.
In the state of Maine, to legally perform plumbing work of any kind you must be licensed. Consider only licensed plumbers, otherwise you are exposing yourself to numerous, potentially catastrophic, risks.
Only hire a plumber who can provide you with a Proof of Insurance. Hiring someone without liability and workers’ compensation insurance can make you personally responsible for any accidents and other errors.
Before starting a project, a professional should be able to give you an accurate written estimate of how much your plumbing repair or project will cost. Small companies may not provide fancy proposals or estimates, but make sure you get a clear description of the work they will perform, the costs, and the payment expectations.
Ask for 2 – 3 references from customers for whom they have performed similar work. Actually contact these references and ask for feedback on how they did, if they would hire them again, etc.
Ask about any guarantees included with their work. These may pertain to your satisfaction with the work, as well as guarantees and warrantees on new parts needed.
Ask the plumber how long they have been in the plumbing industry. The more experience the plumber or company has, the better.
Ask plenty of questions. The more questions you ask, the more knowledge both of you will gain about the job’s specifications. This will help you get an accurate quote. This conversation will also give you a sense of the plumber’s personality. Finding someone with whom you are comfortable and feel at ease talking to is also an important factor in hiring the right person.
Unfortunately, many times our need for a plumber comes when something breaks or there is some sort of plumbing emergency. These are not times when we are afforded extra time to find someone. That is why it’s so helpful to be proactive about finding a plumber to have in your phone contacts now.
With nearly 30 years of experience, Gelinas HVAC can help with all your plumbing projects. From plumbing repairs to system upgrades, and everything in between, our licensed, experienced, friendly plumbing team is here to help!