Earlier this morning, you went to the bathroom as usual. However, you noticed that your bathroom sink is leaking even if you didn’t turn it on. Aside from the sink, the drainage in your shower isn’t working well either. It’ll take so much time to drain, so you end up walking around your shower with water that’s ankle-deep. For you, this is unsanitary and stressful at the same time. All of the things you’ve experienced in your bathroom were enough for you to hire a plumber. You need your home’s plumbing system to be fixed as soon as possible. Here’s what to ask a plumber before hiring one.
Regardless of where you’re living right now many plumbers promise to give you the best service. Don’t fall victim to these lines. You should be careful in hiring a plumber because, it usually costs a lot of money and your home’s amenities are on the line. To help you come up with a sound decision, ask a plumber these questions before hiring one.
Are you licensed?
This is the first question you should ask a plumber. When a plumber is licensed, they have the adequate training and experience needed for their job. A licensed plumber also means that the relevant authorities actually permitted them to work as a plumber and their services are at par with the safety regulations. If you hire an unlicensed plumber, their services might be illegal, and you’ll end up paying for more fees.
Is this the total cost?
With the number of plumbers available nowadays, there’ll be some who’ll give you estimates over the phone. While this might be a convenient and fast service, watch out. A good plumber will choose to visit your home, check your plumbing and give you estimates in person. Once they do, ask if the price they’ve given is the total cost. If not, ask if there’s any additional costs and fees for the repair. You want your plumbing problems to be fixed right way, not end up with a sink that’s lying around in one corner because you can no longer afford the services needed.
When do you want payment?
Aside from the price of the service, knowing when they require the payment is also as important. Before having the plumbers start work, the payment options should be clear for both parties involved. Ask if they would require a down payment before working. If they do, ask for the exact amount. If they don’t, inquire when they need the payment. Will you have to pay them daily, weekly or monthly? Information like this will give you an idea of how you’re going to budget your finances, without comprising anything in the long run.
Who’s doing the work?
Professional plumbing companies will employ more than just one plumber especially if they’ve signed up for a large project. If you think you’ll need more than one person to do the job for you, always ask who the plumber will be. Is this an employee in the company or are they outsourcing contractors? These things matter because you’re actually allowing someone to work inside your home. If you work with someone who doesn’t have a clean track record, your safety might be compromised.
The Bottom Line
Hiring a plumber to work in your home isn’t just about who’s the cheapest or the most convenient to hire. If you want to end up working with the best plumbers who can give you what you need, you should take the time to assess them in different areas. Make sure that when you ask these questions to a plumber, you’ll get the answers you’re looking for. If you’re living in San Diego, a Rancho Bernardo plumber may be a good option for you.
Mitch Kenney is the owner of Colepepper Plumbing in San Diego, California. He is an active real estate investor and also owns Pipes Media, a digital marketing firm specializing in SEO & PPC. Mitch enjoys surfing, drinking beer and spending time with his family.