Minor plumbing problems are easy to solve, but what are your options when the faucet won’t stop dripping? In all seriousness, complex plumbing errors at your residence can affect the overall quality of your life. When ignored, these problems often get bigger and result in property damage. The easy way out is to simply pick up your phone and call professional services.
Here’s how to find a reliable licensed plumbing contractor in your area:
Get to know your neighbours
Let’s not kid ourselves here. First hand recommendations are always more reliable than those newspaper advertisements. Check on your neighbours – whom do they call up for plumbing problems? If things worked out well for them, chances are that you’ll be in good hands too. Don’t settle with just one contact, go for more. Try asking more people, you might end up with better prospects.
Look Online
If you don’t happen to get any good leads from your neighbours, the next best thing to do is to look online. A simple Google search will list all local plumbing services in your area along with customer ratings. Although some reviews might be inaccurate, they’re largely trustable. List down services that impress you the most and check for their business website. Here, you should be able to get a fair idea of how each service will be able to help you. It’s also worth mentioning that services that have their own websites are more credible than the rest.
You probably won’t need to do this nine out of ten times, but if all else fails, you could always find some yellow pages and scrape through for more leads.
Getting Hold Of A Plumber Who Means Business
Once you’ve zeroed in on your prospects, it’s time to hold some serious talks and come up with a good deal for yourself. But here’s the catch – how do you zero in on the perfect plumber? There’s a set of standards every great plumbing service will adhere to. The sad truth is that most homeowners are ignorant about these facts. Here’s what you should be doing:
Check For Certifications
The primary requirement is that of a valid license. Without this, you’re going to risk your property if things don’t go according to plan. Remember, your insurance won’t cover third party or unlicensed plumbers. Furthermore, lack of a license speaks volumes about your prospect’s expertise in the field.
Ask Lots Of Questions
Try finding out more about their previous projects in order to get an idea of how efficient they are. Pay attention to their customer management skills. If they don’t treat your enquiry as a priority, you’re probably approaching the wrong plumber. In addition, find out more about their experience and service guarantee. They must be willing to accept responsibility in case of a bad execution.
Be Clear About Your Budget
True professionals are always clear when it means business. Plumbers who bargain in the phone or inflate quotes unreasonably should be avoided at all costs. Ask your prospect to hand out a proper break down of the whole undertaking. Every process should be stipulated along with its corresponding cost. This way, you’ll keep a tab on your expenses and know exactly what you’re going to be paying for.
Get Things Straight
Let’s face it – time is of the essence to everyone. Make it clear that you won’t tolerate delays or any sort of shortcomings. When you agree to an hourly pricing scheme, plumbers don’t mind taking their own sweet time. Make it clear that they can only charge you when they’re at the house working on the project. Often times, plumbers don’t show up on time and drag projects for days together. Nobody likes to chase servicemen at every step to get things done. If you have a bad feeling about your current plumber, don’t hesitate to get rid of him instantly.
Conclusion
Finding an ideal plumber isn’t hard when you’ve done your homework right. It does seem time consuming at first, but let’s not forget that you’re dealing with your property here. In some cases, the pipelines are interconnected with your neighbour’s residence. Compromise isn’t an option in such scenarios. Besides, it’s always better to be safe than sorry.