Know Your Plumber Before You Hire

Inevitably, every household will need the services of an experienced plumber. No matter how handy you are, there are some jobs that you just can’t DIY and you shouldn’t delay these plumbing repairs either. Plumber costs can be extremely pricey, especially if you hire just anyone to handle your plumbing issues.

There are a few things that you need to bear in mind when hiring a professional contractor.

License is Key

This is vital. Ask to see their state license as a “just in case” precaution as well ask for their proof of insurance. A licensed contractor is not only registered with a governing body, but can therefore be held accountable if anything does go wrong. Licensing means their work is up to code as they have met the state requirements to work as a plumber. The best part is that if anything does go wrong, they can be held liable for contravening against the local regulations.

Clean up on aisle “home”?

Now, it may seem like a completely normal thing, but some contractors just don’t care. Ask if they clean-up once the job is completed. Remember that some may charge a clean-up service fee to do so, but rather be safe than sorry. Asking won’t kill you, but the clean-up may break your back.

Know your cost

While it may be amazingly convenient to call various contractors, and describe the problem to them, it’s not always worth it. It’s worth it to pay the few extra bucks for a call out fee and get a quote than to get a rather stunning surprise when you receive the bill. If you don’t work in the industry, all you can do is describe the basic problem, which may be a lot more intricate and costly. Rather than waste time on the phone have a contractor inspect the problem first hand and then give you a quote. Ensure that the written quote has everything listed such as materials and labor as well as the rate (hourly or flat), before you accept it.

Paying the Plumber

It’s understandable that the plumber may want an initial deposit to cover costs of equipment and the like, but if he asks for the full amount from the get-go – hire someone else. You’re more likely to lose your money AND have to pay someone else to fix your plumbing, if you give your contractor the full amount upfront.

Need a hand?

Remember, the size of the job will determine how many contractors you need on site. Make sure that you know exactly how many contractors will be on site as well as the qualifications and experience of those assisting him. Remember, it’s your home – you need to make sure that you know exactly how many, as well as who, will be coming and going while your problem is being fixed.

At the end of the day, nothing stresses you out more than having to fix something that’s faulty in your home. At Art Plumbing, Air Conditioning & Electric we do everything we can to ensure your peace of mind. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact us.