No doubt, sooner or later, you will need to hire a contractor to offer plumbing services. You can only pray not to realize rather too late that you need a professional plumber. Even so, if you are not experiencing an emergency, and you do not mind getting a little bit dirty, you can try and fix the problems yourself.
While this will potentially save you a lot of cash, you should know that you cannot do as good a job as a professional plumber. This is why; it is always recommended that you let the professionals do all the tasks. However, the sheer number of professional plumbers available today makes it hard to find the right plumber to suit your plumbing needs, and budget. This calls for some due diligence. Here are some critical questions you need to ask your plumber prior to hiring.
Are you licensed, insured?
Unfortunately, some plumbing companies and contractors do a great job but operate without all the necessary credentials. The sheer fact that a contractor is not licensed says a lot about their level of professionalism- lack thereof. Unlicensed contractors are not accountable to regulators. And, most of the time, they are not available whenever things go amiss. Always ask for a license, and do not take the contractors word for it. Be sure that you see proof of license and insurance.
How much experience do you have?
There are obvious benefits of hiring a contractor who has been in the plumbing industry for long. First, they have handled different plumbing jobs. They have been able to come across different challenges and problems to solve. Also, they must have achieved quite the reputation and are able to give references who can verify their competence. It is one thing to have your potential plumber say that they have been in the industry for over 20 or so years, and that they provide quality, reliable service. And, it’s another thing for them to provide credible sources and references to verify their claims.
Can you provide a detailed estimate?
Just like any professional service, a plumbing service can cost quite a lot. It is crucial that you ask for an estimate that itemizes what you will be charged for. Professional plumbers are able to carry out a quick survey of the job and tell how much equipment, manpower, and time is required to complete a particular task. From this survey, they are then able to provide a breakdown for what you will be charged. Be sure to ask if the total at the bottom of your estimate bill is all that you will pay. This will clarify that there are no extra charges to the service. Do not assume.
Do you offer any guarantee and warranties?
In the event that something goes wrong after the plumbing job, you want to be sure that you will not bear the liability cost. Especially since you had to pay quite a lot for the plumbing job. This question may make it seem like you already doubt the quality of the service to be offered, but really it is simple being careful enough. It allows the contractor to showcase their professionalism, guarantees and quality assurance.