WHAT TO LOOK FOR BEFORE HIRING PLUMBERS

Selecting a Plumbers should not be an easy job for any home owner unless you allready have a reputable plumbing company that you trust. A lot of home owners use a local plumber that they have used for a long time and they trust and they know that there reliable. On the other hand a lot of home owners own homes and have never had a plumbing problem which means if they have a plumbing emergency they google the city they live in and the key word plumber and call the first person they see. Well that’s the last thing they can do and below are some things you should look for.

What To Look For Before Hiring a Plumbing Company

Selecting a Plumbers should not be an easy job for any home owner unless you allready have a reputable plumbing company that you trust. A lot of home owners use a local plumber that they have used for a long time and they trust and they know that there reliable. On the other hand a lot of home owners own homes and have never had a plumbing problem which means if they have a plumbing emergency they google the city they live in and the key word plumber and call the first person they see. Well that’s the last thing they can do and below are some things you should look for.

What To Look For:

It seems we never think about our plumbing until it’s too late and there’s water spraying all over the walls. If you really want to be prepared for a plumbing emergency then you’ll start preparing a list of prequalified plumbers right now. Having a list of prequalified plumbers when an emergency does hit leaves you in a great position because all you have to do is call the plumbers on your list for an estimate and check their references. From that point, picking the plumber that gives you the best value is usually pretty easy. Let’s talk about prequalifying plumbers so you can be prepared when a plumbing emergency strikes:

Get Referrals from People You Know

One of the first things most people do when looking for a plumber is turn to their friends, family and associates – and that’s a good idea as always. Use this as a starting point to gather the names of plumbers until you have a list of about three to five plumbers depending on the size of your repair job. You can also get referrals from real estate agents in the area as well as your local home improvement store. The underlying message here is that the best plumbers in most towns obtain the majority of their business through word-of-mouth advertising and these are the plumbers you want. You’re looking for plumbers who know how to keep a low overhead and focus on keeping their existing clients happy.

• *Ask to see the state license- All plumbers, including sub-contractors and journeymen, are required to be licensed by the state.
• *Check proof of insurance- For your own protection, check proof of both workman’s compensation and general liability.
• *Business stability- Find out how long the company has been in business and how long it has been at its present location.
• *Building codes- In certain municipalities you’ll need to see that all building codes are met.When looking for a reliable plumbing company, you cannot simply rely on hourly rates. Plumbing companies’ billing systems vary.

While some will charge according to “time and material”, other companies will charge a “flat rate”. When you get an estimate from a company, be sure to ask what will be provided for the price quoted.
Recognize that there are several variables in developing the price. These include:

*Time that it takes to complete the installation or perform the repair.
*Quality of the fixtures.
*Number of fixtures.
Remember, the company quoting a low rate may not necessarily be the right company for you. Some plumbing companies may offer low hourly rates, but then charge additional “equipment fees” for certain tools needed on the job. Ask if there are any additional charges for equipment, truck or trip costs. Basically, when evaluating quotes, be sure you are comparing apples to apples.

You may also need to consider that most companies charge a higher rate for overtime, weekends, holidays and emergency calls. These charges vary from company to company.

Also ask about the types of fixtures and pipes that are to be installed. Make sure you are comparing similer quality products when seeking estimates. It is not uncommon for companies to require a deposit for special orders on fixtures.

If you are purchasing products yourself to be installed by a plumber, check with your plumber first. Many will not install cutomer-purchased products. If the plumber will install customer-purchased products, check the quality of the product. Look for an approval stamp, such as the Uniform Plumbing Code stamp (UPC). The National Sanitation Foundation (NSF) also places stamps on products. These stamps are similar to the familiar UL approval on electronic products. You should also make sure the product is right for your building and meets all codes. Remember, if the product fails and the problem is not with the installation, then you may have to pay for the removal of the item.

It is common to receive a warranty on the services provided. This may include 30 days on stoppage and as many as 90 days on installation. Be aware that material may have a longer warranty than labor. Look for companies that warranty for a year these plumbing companies are usually a bigger plumbing company and plans on being around which usually means its a company you can trust.

For example, a part may be under a warranty for five years and the labor for only one.

Check for membership in trade organizations, such as the local chapter of The National Association of Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors and the Association of Master Plumbers. Companies who participate in these organizations are more likely to keep up-to-date on new regulations and codes.

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