We have all reached that point when we have just had it with our plumbing. Maybe it’s a leaky faucet. Or a drain that takes forever to run. Maybe you have trouble flushing your toilet. Perhaps you have a really urgent problem and your dishwasher has just flooded the kitchen, or there is a stain forming on the ceiling just beneath the bathroom upstairs. Or maybe a home improvement project has gone wrong and you need to call in someone to help. Whether you need regular maintenance or emergency work done, you need to find a trustworthy plumber. In this article, I will explain just how you can do that.
How to Find a Plumber Near You
Most plumbers do a very good job, but there are some very bad plumbers out there. Picking an unreliable plumber can lead to very costly mistakes. Your first port of call when picking a plumber is to use a tool like the Better Business Bureau’s Plumbers Near Me tool. The Better Business Bureau (BBB) accredits plumbers so that customers know that those plumbers operate to a certain standard and have the necessary qualifications to do their job. Plumbers with a BBB accreditation are committed to upholding the values of BBB, such as: honest advertising, build trust, be honest, honor promises, be transparent, respond to customer communications and needs, embody integrity, and maintain customer privacy.
You should also search the BBB website or Google tagging the name with, “Review”, “Complaint”, or “Scam”, to see what, if any downsides are, of hiring that plumber.
Not all plumbers in the BBB’s database are accredited or will have a customer rating or reviews. If a plumber has a customer rating, that rating will tell you how other customers experienced their overall service. You can also read any customer complaints, to get a fuller picture of their service. Now, not all customer complaints are legitimate, but you should take them into account before making a decision. Based on your location, you can zero in on a few plumbers.
You should also check if the plumber’s employees have had a background check done and if they have been trained as well as certified. When the plumber’s employees arrive at your home, what identification will they show you?
Get an Estimate
So, let’s say you live in Toronto and you have found a Toronto plumber you want to hire. The next thing to do is to get an estimate of the costs of the job. Make sure you read the estimate very carefully. An estimate is just that. It is not the final cost of plumbing. Lots of variables go into the final price you will have to pay. Check what those variables are. You need to know if there is a flat rate inclusive of materials, or if the materials have a separate charge. You have to have a clear idea of what is included in the estimate. What standard of quality can you expect for the fixtures and how many will have to be bought? If there are large differences between estimates, don’t assume that the cheaper estimate is because you’ve struck gold and found a cheap way to get your plumbing done. See if the difference is not perhaps because some items have not been included in the estimate. Does the estimate include equipment fees and will there be any extra charges, such as for trips, hiring a truck, or using equipment? You also need to ask if the plumber is going to use service mats or drop sheets so that your home is protected while they work. Is the cost of cleaning up your home once the plumbing is done, included in the estimate.
Check Insurance and Warranties
Finally, you have to make sure that you hire a plumber with sufficient insurance and licences to work in your region. If you live in the United States, you can contact the state licensing agency. If you live in Canada, the licencing requirements differ according to what province you are in. Ask your local BBB for assistance. When you have your plumber’s insurance information, call their insurance provider to ensure that they have the right coverage for property damage, worker’s compensation, and personal liability in the event of any accident.
