When hiring a local plumber to work for you, it’s not a good idea to go in blind. The reason behind it is that some plumbers may charge you with hidden fees and may not provide you the satisfaction level you deserve. Besides, it doesn’t hurt to do some research to know which plumber can do the job well for you.
Regardless of your experience when looking for a Mississauga plumber, there are several things that you should ask, including the following:
1. Insurance
Insurance plays a crucial part in the plumber’s credentials as it’ll provide the stability required when accidents and mistakes occur. While it rarely happens, accidents, thefts, and mistakes may occur, which can cause some issues, most particularly when a plumber doesn’t have insurance.
So, no matter what your plumbing needs are, make sure to choose a plumber from a good local plumbing company with proper builder’s workers compensation insurance and bonds. This will help you stay worry-free as your plumber fix your plumbing concerns.
2. Plumbing License
This is one of the most important things that you should ask a local plumber and it’s critical to not just take the word of the plumber for it.
Some plumbers operate without a license, but some homeowners assume plumbers should have one. Being licensed means that the plumber is registered with the state’s governing body. If you’re not sure about your knowledge of plumbing licenses, you may check the licensing rules in your area.
The reason why it’s important to ask your preferred local plumber about a license is that operating without one may result in an improper plumbing job. It may also be illegal since unlicensed plumbers can’t pull the permits needed for particular plumbing jobs, which can make your plumbing projects against the law as well as susceptible to fines.
3. Physical Address
Reliable and professional plumbers have a physical address where they receive their mails. A physical address is also essential since it provides customers a place to visit in case they have questions that they like to discuss in person or have some problems they like to report.
So, to check their credibility, make sure to ask the plumber about their physical address.
4. References And Credentials
The best local plumber has years of experience. Plumbers who don’t have at least 5 quality references from their previous list of clients haven’t had enough experience to reputably take on particular plumbing tasks. So, before you bid or sign any contract, one of the things you should ask is their references and credentials.
Credentials may not denote quality workmanship. However, it shows how committed a plumber is and how they acknowledge the current techniques and practices in the plumbing industry.
Memberships in plumber unions, Better Business Bureau, and some local contractor organizations may also denote the plumber’s commitment to their job.
5. Specialties
By asking about the specialties of a plumber, you’ll know what plumbing jobs they can handle and what they can’t. This will also help you determine if a plumber suits your required plumbing task.
Basically, a good plumber is good at repair and service work of any level. However, don’t expect that all plumbers are the same. So, know first your plumbing needs before you ask around the plumber’s specialties you’re interested with.
6. Training Level
The training requirements that plumbers need to meet may vary from one state to another.
After securing a license, plumbers have the option to do training for various types of specialized work. If you’re looking for the best local plumber, you must know the training level they have.
On-The-Job Trainee – Licensed plumbers often have apprentice partners when doing their job. Having an apprentice enables their trainees to learn the basics that they require to get their license, which also allows them to get more opportunities to train.
Journeyman Plumber – After spending some years of being an on-the-job trainee, this is the next level that plumbers may reach. To be a journeyman plumber, it requires 4-5 years of training and most states require a license before they can award plumbers with this.
Master Plumber – Every state has a required minimum number of years working as journeyman plumbers before they can give anyone a master plumber certification. This is the highest training level for all plumbers out there.
There are cases that plumbing companies would let a journeyman plumber do the work together with an apprentice. Just make sure to check if they have the licenses and the right tools before they get started working.
7. Service Fees
These may be accrued when a local plumber visits your property for an estimate.
Whether or not they complete the job or perform the tasks, some plumbers will charge service fees to show up at your doorstep, which is often non-negotiable. That’s why you must ask the plumbers first before you have them visit your property. This way, you won’t get stuck with the hidden fees and costs you weren’t expecting.
8. Charge For Travel Time
Some plumbers may charge for travel time from and to the job, which can be a costly process if the plumber is far from your property.
The best solution for this is to work with the nearest plumber in your area for inexpensive travel costs. This may also help you hire a plumber who knows about the local codes and knowledgeable about the building inspectors in your local area.
9. Usual Response Time
Response time may be important in any emergency plumbing situation. Plumbing leaks may easily destroy a home, which may add more costs as time passes by. A plumber with fast response time can make a huge difference as they can resolve your plumbing concerns as soon as possible.
10. Reputation
In terms of their plumbing issues, everybody wants to hire the best person to get the job done. If you don’t want to waste your time and money, make sure to ask about how established a local plumber is.
If you can’t contact your preferred plumber, you may check online reviews on their official website to know their quality of service.
11. Customer Satisfaction
This is another thing that you should ask a local plumber. If a plumber can’t provide you the highest possible level of satisfaction, you’ll just waste your time and money. So, to get good results in the long run, make sure to check the customer satisfaction of the previous clients of a plumber.
12. Clean Up After Work
Not all local plumbers will clean your place after they’re done with their job. That’s why it’s best to choose the one who can do their job and will also leave the affected area in better shape.
Besides, you don’t want plumbers who’ll leave your property in a mess, most particularly if you’ve gone through so much stress with your emergency plumbing problem.
13. Fixed Or Hourly Rate
If you want to make the most of your investment, one of the things you must ask a local plumber is the rates they offer. To avoid any surprises once the repair job is done, clarify the estimates you get.
If the local plumber tells you that the rate is hourly, ask about their experience and how long they can finish the work. If the qualified plumber has more experience, there’s nothing you should worry about as you can guarantee that they can provide you accurate estimates and can finish the repair immediately. But take note that it may depend on the property’s plumbing system since not all pipes are accessible and can be complicated to repair.
14. Total Cost Of The Services
To provide accurate estimates, plumbers have to perform a work assessment. So, as a client, you must be wary of plumbers who offer quotes without making an extra effort to see the damages and assess the entire plumbing problem. This is because good plumbers always check the issues first before they provide the total cost of the services required to resolve the issues. In this way, their clients won’t be surprised about how much money is involved just to fix their major plumbing problems.
15. Payment Arrangements
Others assume that clients know the payment requirements of plumbers. However, for you to get clarity, you must always ask regarding the payment arrangements before a plumber starts working.
On bigger plumbing jobs, it’s typical for plumbers to ask for an upfront payment and would ask the balance after the plumbing work is done. Depending on your preferences and convenience, choose a plumber that can provide you clear details on payment arrangements to avoid any inconvenience.
16. Independent Contractors And Their Licenses
Even if the majority of master plumbers who hire contractors that have their own licenses, references, and credentials, this doesn’t mean that some independent contractors are licensed. Therefore, you have to know if the person has a license.
If you’re having second thoughts, it’s also a good idea to request for references and credentials. In this way, you can be comfortable that the contractor who’ll provide plumbing services are certified and would do quality service for you.
17. Who Will Perform The Plumbing Services
There are times that plumbing companies consist of several plumbers. However, there are also instances when master plumbers may hire other independent contractors. In such cases, it’s essential to ask who’ll perform the service for you.
If it isn’t the one who gave you the quote, it’s essential to know the person. If you’re not comfortable or happy with them, you must express your concerns as soon as possible and ask for more options until you’re satisfied.
18. Warranty
Any plumbing installation or repair must have a warranty. If there’s a problem related to the service provided or the initial problem, any local plumber must agree to make replacements or repairs within a month after they provide the plumbing service, unless it’s not included in the contracts. If this is the case, you might need to pay for extra plumbing services, which can cost you more money in the end.
19. How Fast They Start Working
It can be a crucial consideration once you decide to hire a local plumber. If your pipes are badly leaking, a quick response time is very important. Even if you’re insured, watching your house flood is always a stressful experience.
If you’re not insured, the difference between the local plumber who arrives fast and the one who doesn’t can be huge. It may also be the difference between having to move into a temporary accommodation or stay in your home.
20. 24/7 Service Operation
It’s important to take note of the legit plumbers and the differences between those that offer around-the-clock emergency plumbing service and those that don’t. Usually, the latter won’t give you any response in case of an emergency plumbing issue. Therefore, it would be best to ask your potential plumbers if they operate 24/7 or if they can help you anytime you need help with your plumbing concerns.
21. Charge For Parts
Even if a professional local plumber has the right parts for the work, there’s always a chance of unexpected problems being detected. For this reason, some parts may be needed. Thus, determine whether the purchasing of the new parts will have an effect on how much you’re charged overall.
22. Subcontractors And Suppliers
Upstanding contractors have no problems sharing where their supplies come from and who they hire. Regardless if the plumbing solution requires a water-heater or solid copper pipe, craftsmanship matters a lot.
23. Inspections And Permits As Required
More often than not, there are plumbing jobs that may potentially harm the city’s sewer systems or the residents if done improperly. These types of jobs will need an inspection and permit to ensure work is done properly. If a local plumber is certified, they’re aware of the instances in which inspections and permits are needed. This way, they can ensure that permits are pulled and inspections are scheduled.
Final Thoughts
Finding the best and right local plumber for your plumbing needs can be challenging and confusing at the same time, especially if you’re surrounded by plenty of options. However, it doesn’t always have to be that way. By asking the questions above, you’ll get an idea of who you should hire, helping you make well-informed decisions.
