5 Questions to Ask a Plumbing Company Before Hiring Them

Plumbers are professionals who are trained to install, repair and maintain your drainage, water and gas systems whether in commercial or residential buildings or industrial complexes. They work on fixture, pipes and appliances that facilitate the efficient and safe flow of water and waste disposal.

You need the right plumbing company to maintain the integrity of the water systems of your home. Whether it is a routine maintenance, a simple repair or a major project or installation, employing a skilled and reputable plumbing company will save you stress, money and time. That is why you need to do your due diligence to find the right fit for your project.

The following are 5 important questions to ask your potential hire to help you make an informed decision: –

No.1. Are You Licensed and Insured?

One of the foremost and vital question to ask is whether the company you want to hire is insured and licensed. Before a company gets licensed, their staff must have undergone the necessary training to acquire adequate knowledge and skill required for their profession. So, when you hire a licensed outfit, it you are dealing with not only a legally qualified entity but also a skilled and knowledgeable one.

Insurance on the other hand indemnifies you from damages or injuries that may occur on the job, on your property. You do not want to have to pay for any damage to your property or bear liabilities for any injuries sustained in the course of the job.

What to Look For

The following are what to look for: –

1. Ensure you see the license and verify that it is the right one(s) for your state.
2. Make sure they have both worker’s compensation coverage and liability.

No.2. What Is Your Experience with Similar Plumbing Issues?

Plumbing covers a wide range of issues; from minor fixture leaks to major home renovation or installation projects. It is therefore important that you find plumbers that have experience in the specific area that you have challenges with your plumbing.

Experience is a big deal because it is more likely for an experienced (oftentimes also entailing long years in the business) plumber to quickly and accurately diagnose the problem and also fix it efficiently. They are also more likely to have encountered whatever complications may come up in the course of executing your project.

Specific Questions to Ask

1. How many years of hands-on experience do you have?
2. Have you come across similar issues like the one I want you to handle? Did you handle it successfully?
3. Can you provide customer reviews and references for past projects?

Even after asking these questions, you need to go to the company’s website and read customer reviews. However, while you are at it, beware of fake reviews. Visit this site: https://www.forbes.com/ for tips on how to spot fake reviews online.

No.3. Do You Offer Written Estimates and Upfront Pricing?

Transparent pricing system is a very important issue when hiring any service and it is recommended that you ask for a written estimate because a verbal one can cause trouble down the line. With a written estimate, there will be no misunderstanding, both parties will be clear on expectations as scope of work and cost. Best of all, you will not be blindsided by unexpected cost.

What to Look out For

The following are what to look out for as regards pricing: –

1. A detailed written quote with itemized costs of materials, labor and any other fee/charges.
2. Find out whether they charge per hour or flat rate.
3. Find out the possibility of any unexpected charge in case of complications.

No.4. What Is Your Warranty or Guarantee Policy?

Any reputable plumbing company should offer guarantees and warranties on both material and labor as a show of good faith and confidence in their integrity. It is very important to deal with a company that offers warranty and guarantees their services because you can then rest assured that they will effectively and amicably take care of any unforeseen issue that comes up in future.

Specific Questions to Ask

1. What does the warranty cover?
2. What is the duration for guarantees and warrantees for both labor and materials/parts?
3. How do you take care of warranty or guarantee claims?

No.5. What Is Your Availability for Emergency Services?

Plumbing emergencies are so called because they happen without notice and they must be fixed immediately; imagine having a broken faucet in your bathroom or kitchen? It is therefore important that you have a company with fast response time to avoid water damage and costly repairs. A knowledge of the emergency service policy of the company will help you know whether you will have the needed help as at when due.

What to Look For

1. 24/7 emergency service
2. What is their average response time?
3. Are there additional fees for holidays or after-hour services?

Additional Tips for Hiring a Plumbing Company

The following are some additional tips to help you make an informed decision.

1. Find out whether they cleanup after they have carried out the job and whether cleanup comes with additional fees.
2. Ask whether they are the one that will handle getting permits needed to carry out large projects that require government permits. Click here to get an idea of the kind of projects that require plumbing permits.
3. Check out reviews from 3^rd party sites such as Yelp, Google and BBB (Better Business Bureau).
4. Don’t forget to ask for references from past customers.

Red Flags to Watch Out For

1. Lack of License and Insurance – Make sure you do not hire a plumber that has no license or insurance.
2. Ambiguous Pricing -Steer clear of any company that is not willing to give you a written quote.
3. High-Pressure Sales Tactics- Avoid any company that pressures you into making decisions on the spot or buying additional fixture or adding services that you feel is unnecessary.
4. Poor Communication – Any company that doesn’t respond promptly to enquiries will not prioritize their customers.

Conclusion

Asking the right questions will help you make an informed decision when looking for the right plumbers to work with. We have shared 5 important questions to ask and also added additional tips to help you. Bear these tips in mind as they will come in handy for your hiring process.