A broken tap and leaking pipes can be a real headache; you’ll look at inflated water bills and wet spots on the walls and ceilings. A leaking pipe can also damage the design of your house, especially if the pipe is concealed. If you’re experiencing any of these issues, either a leaking pipe or a broken tap, don’t be in a hurry to contact any available plumber. First, obtain crucial information before you hire a plumber.
With a quick search on the internet to find a plumber, you’ll see complaints about plumbers who failed to repair the problem and made it even worse. You’ll also read of cases on Trust Pilot and other review websites where some expert plumbers will offer their services. You can check on the reviews and services they offer before hiring one.
You can also have a list of questions and ask them, especially before you agree on a payment plan. The objective is to ensure that you hire a professional plumber who won’t fleece you or mislead you. To make it easier, read on and note these top five questions to ask your plumber to ensure you’re in good hands.
1. Are You Certified?
Establishing if the plumber is certified is very important. A licensed plumber is proven to be knowledgeable and experienced in any plumbing job. A license also proves that the plumber has undergone a government assessment to be licensed as a state, district, and local plumbing services provider. Another advantage of hiring a licensed plumber is that they are conversant with construction rules and guidelines, guaranteeing their work is excellent.
2. Do You Have Insurance?
This is a very important question to ask the plumber. A plumbing company must have insurance coverage against claims arising from damages and injury to other people and property.
For instance: an apartment on the 20th floor measuring 1,500 sq. ft. If such a space is filled with water due to a broken water pipe during repairs, it may cost over $900,000 if it floods the apartments below it. If the plumbing firm hasn’t taken a cover for general liability, the apartment’s owner is legally answerable for any damages caused. Therefore, ensure the plumber you hire has a liability insurance cover that’s enough to insure any possible losses.
Another insurance cover that a plumber should have is Worker’s Comp (Workman’s Compensation). It indemnifies a team member against accidents and injuries that might occur while working. Suppose a plumber shows up with employees who may need to be properly categorized (meaning they receive their payments off the record). In that case, they can’t be compensated under Workman’s Compensation insurance cover in case of an accident. So, if a team member was working in your bathroom and fell and were injured, they might go after the property owner for compensation.
To confirm, you can ask the plumber to show you a valid certificate of insurance with proper coverage. This is a common practice, and a plumber should be able to show you the certificate without hesitation.
3. Do You Provide Emergency Services?
Establish if the plumber offers emergency services before you give them the go signal to start working. Why is this question important? You’ve now realized that plumbing hitches emerge when you’re not expecting them. Such as very early in the morning, on a weekend when you have planned to do your laundry, just before you leave for the office, or when it’s inconvenient for you.
The unfortunate thing about plumbing is that no issue is small. An issue that appears small may cause significant damage if not fixed. Go for a plumber who can be there for you in case of an emergency on the same day. Ideally, the plumber should give a 1 to 2-hour time slot to avoid an instance where you must wait all day.
4. What Are Your Charges?
Before allowing a certified plumber to start working, establish the fees. You don’t want to find out later that you can’t afford it. Please note that a plumber will only determine the charges after they assess the damage. If they fail to fix the issue on the same day, it’s common for plumbers to ask for a service charge. So, make sure you ask this question to prevent unexpected expenditures.
5. Do You Offer a Warranty?
Why is this question important? Why should you ask this question before work begins? It’d help if you were certain the plumber you employ could assure quality guarantee for their work. This means they are ready to return without charging a single dime if any problems emerge after repairs since they’re sure they won’t have to return.
Final Thoughts
Finding a plumber might be stressful, particularly for the first time. But knowing the appropriate questions to ask will save you a lot of time and money. A professional plumber is focused on offering excellent service. As a result, the plumber should tell you how to avoid future problems so you don’t have to call them after a few months to repair the same issue.
