Need a plumber? There are likely to be many plumbing services to choose from in your area. The quality and cost of these services can vary, so it’s important that you take your time to choose a plumber – especially if you’ve got a big job planned such as replacing a boiler or installing new bathroom fixtures. This guide lists a few of the top qualities to look for when choosing a plumber.
Relevant certification/experience
In many states in the US, plumbers must obtain a plumbing certificate or license to work. There are usually three levels of plumbing license: apprentice, journeyman and master. Journeymen typically require 3 to 5 years experience, while you’ll usually need about 10 years experience to become a plumbing master. With certain jobs it can be worth choosing a specialist plumber such as a gas engineer or a pipe fitter. Look at a plumber’s website to see if they have any information of past work such as case studies or photos – it’s easier to trust someone who has plenty of experience carrying out your chosen task.
Positive reviews/recommendations
You should look out for positive online reviews such as the great reviews for this company when choosing a plumber. This shows that a plumber’s work is appreciated and trusted by other customers in the area. Plumbers with no reviews or lots of negative reviews could end up carrying out poor work, which could cost more to correct. Along with reviews, it’s also worth seeking out recommendations from family and friends. If someone has hired the same plumber for many years, they are likely to be trustworthy and you may even be able to get a discount by telling them that you’re a friend/relative.
Fair pricing
Plumbers will often charge different rates depending on their reputation, experience and the types of jobs they carry out. Pricing will often not be advertised on a plumber’s site, so you may have to call/email them for a quote, or invite them round to survey the property first (in the case of big plumbing jobs). Consider collecting a few different quotes to get an idea of the average price. Avoid plumbing services that charge a much higher rate than all the others, but similarly be wary of plumbers that charge a much lower rate than everyone else (they may be making up for a poor reputation).
Availability to work
Some plumbers are very busy and may not be able to carry out your job for several weeks. This can be a good thing, as it shows that plumber is in demand. However, it’s not any use if you need an emergency repair or need to get a plumbing fixture installed by a certain date. Therefore it’s important to check when a plumber is available.
A warranty/guarantee
A final perk that can be worth looking out for is a warranty or guarantee. This is when a plumber promises that a job will meet certain standards – if it doesn’t, they will fix the work for free (in the case of a warranty) or give you all your money back (in the case of a guarantee). Make sure to read the conditions of a warranty of guarantee on their website – some warranties/guarantees last a few months while others last years, and some will cover all work while others may only cover some parts of the work.
