How to Hire a Qualified, Reasonable & Reliable Plumber

Looking for a Plumbing Contractor?

Stuck with a leaky faucet? Thinking about redoing your bathroom or kitchen? You could use a plumbing contractor. There may be a lot of pros out there who can do the job for you. Here’s how to determine what you need.

On This Page:

1. How to Find Reasonable & Qualified Plumbers
1. Read Reviews
2. Check License & Insurance
3. Independent Plumbers vs. Large Companies
2. Questions to Ask When Hiring a Plumber
3. 6 Steps to Save on Plumbing
4. FAQs
5. Find a Good Plumber Near You

How to Find Reasonable, Qualified & Reliable Plumbers

Dealing with plumbing issues demands quick action, but you need to know who to call. The cost to hire a plumber is only one part of the equation. Before you start asking for estimates, do a little research to narrow down the list to the most qualified service professionals in your area.

Read Reviews & Get Recommendations for Trustworthy and Reputable Plumbers

When homeowners need to hire a professional, they often start asking local friends and family for suggestions. This approach can help identify someone near you who has a reliable reputation. Remember that some personal recommendations may not be appropriate for your project, and that you should always verify the pro’s qualifications on your own. Start by visiting online directories with pre-screened professionals to read reviews about various companies and contractors you might call. While you might see a negative review or two for any business, a series of problematic experiences should raise a red flag. You’ll be more likely to get balanced feedback from organizations that follow up on the pros listed on their sites.

Research a Plumber’s License and Insurance

States generally control licensing for people in professional trades like plumbing. You can usually visit the state licensing board to see if a person holds a current license. Most of the time (but not always), a valid license means that the professional also carries state-mandated insurance and bonding. When you start vetting companies, ask for proof of insurance.

Choose Between Independent Plumbing Contractors & Large Companies

As you start to browse through your options, you’ll discover independent contractors and companies with several plumbers on staff. Bigger businesses could have a team of people available to address your problem at any time. However, the person who comes to your home may not be the one holding the company’s certifications. Independent plumbing contractors with a current license often have more experience, but they may book up quickly. The one you pick depends on what you need done, and how quickly.

Questions to Ask When Hiring a Plumber

When you make the first phone call, pay attention to how you feel as you go through your list of questions to ask a plumber before hiring. To get more information about the company, describe your concerns in as much detail as you can.

Find out about:

• proof of license, registration and insurance
• references
• experience
• payment expectations

6 Steps to Save on Plumbing

Sooner or later, we all need to call a plumber. It is expensive and there’s no way around that. But, there are a variety of ways to get the most value and save money hiring a plumber.

1. Compare Plumbers’ Hourly Rates

The first, and often only thing, that consumers zero in on is the hourly rate. People figure that they should hire the reputable firm with the lowest bid. Sounds simple and direct, but this isn’t always correct.

Consumers can get confused over the meaning of “reputable.” If people have heard the company name many times over the years, they may feel that the firm must have a high degree of credibility. Unfortunately, this is often untrue. In the plumbing field, several of the most highly promoted companies have troubling reputations. This is why it’s important to go through a prescreened plumbing service that provides reviews for listed professionals.

It is also difficult to compare rates because of the many ways plumbers bill for working hours. Travel time is a factor that should be considered. Pros spend a good part of their day driving from job to job. They must be compensated for this time.

The best way to select a plumber is in the professional’s overall ability to deliver consistently good service. Customer satisfaction considers all these issues and constitutes an accurate indication of value received.

2. Minimize Plumbing Needs

An entirely different approach to saving money on plumbing is to reduce the need for them at all. The most common calls have to do with drains. Many homes have one or two problem drains and several that never need any attention at all.

Grease buildup serves as a likely source of kitchen drain clogs. You can counteract this by doing things to reduce the buildup. Avoid pouring greasy substances into the sink. Take care when using cleaning products that may eat away at the pipework. Hot water can help to soften fats in the pipe, but you might want to consult a plumber before dumping boiling water in the sink.

Hair is another common factor in many plumbing problems. In most cases, hair collects in the screen or shower drain cover. Next time you schedule a plumbing consult, ask about ways to prevent the hair from getting in the drain. It’s much easier to gather it off the screen periodically than it is to deal with a clogged pipe.

Another costly, but preventable, problem is frozen pipes. Make sure that all your pipes are in heated spaces. If any are not, add extra insulation for them. Each fall, when the weather turns colder:

• disconnect and drain your garden hoses
• turn off the indoor cut-off valve located near the faucet
• open the outdoor faucet

If there is no cut-off valve, consider installing one. Any water left in pipes exposed to temperatures below 20 degrees Fahrenheit may freeze. Even pipes located inside the home can pose a threat if they sit in unheated areas.

3. Buy Your Own Plumbing Fixtures

A popular and effective way to save money on plumbing calls is to buy your own fixtures. Traditionally, plumbers sell you the toilets, sinks, and faucets that they install. Typically, they’ll get the items at a discount and charge you full price. Plumbers do this to make money and to cover the costs of dealing with purchases, returns, and storage.

In recent years, however, some of the home center stores now charge you prices that are even lower than the contractor prices that plumbers pay their suppliers. As a result, you may do better buying your own fixtures, providing you have the time to invest in shopping around.

While this approach can save you big bucks, there are three caveats to keep in mind:

1. Many fixtures that appear to be great buys are poorly made or are missing adapters, installing kits or other components that normally come with similar products. Shop carefully.
2. If you supply the fixture and something goes wrong during installation, there is likely to be some confusion as to whose responsibility it is. One way to get around this is to check with the plumber up front about recommended brands or lines, and then buy those brands.
3. Every product line has its own installation quirks. Choosing a fixture that is familiar to your plumber ensures that you will get the full advantage of the professional’s expertise and experience. If you choose an unfamiliar brand, expect to pay for some on-the-job learning mistakes.

4. Reduce the Plumber’s Chargeable Time

Wasted time means higher costs on these projects. If you do what you can to make starting the job quick and easy, you might save a lot. Before you call a plumber, go through your home and check every faucet and fixture. Make a list of everything that drips, runs, or is clogged. Then, when you bring the plumber out, arrange to take care of all the problems at once. You’ll avoid additional trip charges, set-up time and the hassle of scheduling multiple visits. You might even get a discount.

Anything you can do to save the plumber time will also save you money:

• Be organized and ready to present your list of specific items to address
• If you’re not sure what the problem is, be ready to describe the symptoms
• Clear the work area
• Handle some of the clean-up yourself

5. Install Water-Saving Plumbing Fixtures

Water and sewage treatment cost money, and the amount you pay is partially based on your usage. When you reduce water consumption, you can save on both counts. If you have an older water-guzzling toilet that needs assistance, give serious thought to replacing it entirely.

Instead of spending money on what will probably be a continuous string of repairs, invest wisely and get a reliable fixture that will save you money over the long run.
This is also true for faucets and showerheads. Anytime these need attention, consider replacing them with new, water-saving units.

6. Remodel the Smart Way

If you are planning more substantial remodeling work, make sure you get three quotes. More than likely, each plumber will have different suggestions. Listen to their suggestions and reasons, and decide which ideas make the most sense to you.

Always get a fixed price for the job and make sure that model numbers are present in the contracts you sign. If the plumber installs the wrong fixture and you can’t figure out whose fault it is, you might have to pay the cost to replace it.

FAQs

Do You Tip a Plumber?

Your plumbing professional bills you by the hour at a rate reflecting their skill and the requirements of the task. Generally, tipping isn’t customary. If you want to offer extra thanks for a job well done, give a good online review.

How Do You Pay a Plumber?

When a professional completes inspection of your plumbing problems, you should receive a detailed estimate. Find out about acceptable payment methods, such as cash, check, or credit card. In most cases, homeowners should not have to pay any money before the job begins. For very complex projects, they may ask for a “good-faith deposit” in advance, often 10% or less. Most will call for the full payment after completing the job. Complicated work that takes weeks could mean you make several payments over the course of the project.

Do Plumbers Give Free Estimates?

Many pros will offer a free estimate to help secure your business. You will want to confirm that the estimate is accurate. Don’t trust a guess based on your initial phone call, or prices given only verbally. Ask for a breakdown of all costs in writing.

Is There a Down Side to Hiring a Cheap Plumber?

As with any kind of service you pay for, there’s an important distinction between competitive pricing and cheap work. Plumbers who underbid others by a long shot may cut corners in a variety of ways. A plumbing company that prides itself on low prices over value may expect you not to know the difference. By comparison, someone who works hard to keep costs down without sacrificing quality may give you a better deal, even if they charge more.

When Should I Call a Plumber?

Although developing a few handy skills can save you money, there are some cases where you’ll want to call a professional:

• persistent clogged drains
• pipe leaks
• bathroom fixture repairs
• water damage
• pipefitting or installation
• kitchen or bathroom remodels

How Do You Find a Good Plumbing Pro in Your Area?

Now that you know how to identify a great plumbing pro, you can search for available plumbers near you and locate a few choices that will meet your needs. Use this information during your investigation, you’ll be glad you did.

No Comments Yet