Having reliable plumbing is vital for any home. From leaky faucets to burst pipes, plumbing emergencies can cause extensive water damage if not addressed quickly. Finding a qualified, professional plumbing service you can count on is crucial. Here are tips for choosing the right plumbing services company to meet your home’s needs.
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Ask Around for Recommendations
Word of mouth is one of the best ways to find a quality plumber. Ask friends, family members, neighbors and coworkers if they have a plumbing company they recommend. People who have had great experiences will be eager to refer you. This can help you quickly find plumbers with proven track records.
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Look for Licensed Plumbers
Make sure any plumbing company or technician you consider hiring is fully licensed in your state or municipality. Ask to see an active plumbing license. You want to avoid unlicensed plumbers who lack the proper training and expertise. Hiring a licensed pro protects your safety.
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Verify Insurance Coverage
Don’t risk hiring a plumber who lacks insurance. A reliable company will carry liability insurance as well as workers’ compensation. This protects you from responsibility for accidents, injuries, or technicians damaging your property. Ask for proof of current, valid insurance policies.
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Check Online Reviews
Do some research to see what past customers have said about plumbers you’re considering. Look for online reviews on Google, Facebook, Yelp and other sites. This gives insight into pros and cons. Look for plumbers with consistently positive reviews and few complaints.
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Compare Experience
An experienced plumbing company that has been in business for years is ideal. They will have encountered a wide range of plumbing issues and have proven systems to diagnose and fix them. New companies may still be developing skills and building a customer base.
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Ask About Emergency Services
Plumbing disasters can happen at any time of day or night. Look for a 24 hour plumbing company that offers emergency services. This ensures you can get a fast response for urgent issues like broken pipe works flooding your home, even outside normal business hours.
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Consider Range of Services
Choose a plumbing company that provides a full spectrum of services, including installations, repairs, drain cleaning, leak detection, sewer line repair, and bathroom remodeling. Having one company handle all your plumbing needs makes things simpler.
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Look for Use of Technology
Modern plumbing companies use advanced technology like sewer cameras for inspections and digital locating equipment for leak detection. This specialized tech allows them to assess and fix issues precisely. Look for plumbers who embrace tech tools.
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Discuss Plumbing Materials
When hiring a plumber for installations or replacements, ask which plumbing materials they recommend and why. A reputable company will explain the pros and cons of materials like copper, PEX, and PVC. They should provide options at different price points.
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Get a Detailed Written Estimate
Avoid plumbers who won’t provide a written estimate for work. A good plumber will assess the issue, explain what’s needed to fix it, and provide a line-item estimate for parts, labor and fees. Never hire a plumber who just quotes a vague ballpark figure.
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Look for Accountability
Choose a plumbing company that stands behind their work and offers a warranty on repairs and installations. This shows they are confident in the quality of their plumbers’ skills. They should fix any issues stemming from their work at no cost.
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Ask About Permits
For major plumbing jobs, your contractor is responsible for obtaining proper permits from local authorities. A reliable company will handle this paperwork rather than cutting corners. Make sure they pull all required permits.
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Read Reviews on Punctuality
Time is money, and you don’t want plumbers who show up late or never arrive. Read online reviews to check if past customers had issues with technicians arriving late for appointments. Punctuality is a sign of professionalism.
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Compare Pricing
As you evaluate plumbers, compare price estimates on services. While you don’t want to go just for the cheapest option, an estimate far higher than competitors should raise eyebrows. Look for fair pricing that matches the quality of service.
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Verify Contractor’s License
In addition to the plumber’s personal license, make sure the company has an active contractor’s license required for residential plumbing work in your area. Unlicensed contractors could do subpar work that doesn’t meet code. Check that their contractor’s license covers the needed services and was issued by your local licensing authority. There should not be any current complaints against the license. This helps ensure professional work.
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Ask About Drain Cleaning Equipment
A full-service plumbing company should use advanced drain cleaning tools like high-pressure water jets and long augers. This quality equipment can thoroughly clear blockages and remove roots or debris. Ask specifically what drain cleaning methods and gear they use. State-of-the-art equipment is a must for unclogging drains effectively.
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Look for Water Efficiency Experience
See if the company has experience with water saving fixtures and systems. A plumber knowledgeable about water efficiency can help identify leaks and install updates like low-flow toilets. Ask about their experience with water conservation, leak detection, EPA WaterSense fixtures, recirculating pumps, and more. Expertise in efficiency reduces waste.
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Request Local References
Ask the plumbing company for references from recent customers specifically in your area. This gives you insights from neighbors on the quality of work performed in local homes. Local references are especially useful for understanding reliability, timeliness, service quality and more. Speaking with nearby customers provides relevant info.
Choosing the right plumbing service takes a bit of homework. Do your research to find plumbers with proven skills, a broad range of services, advanced technology and a commitment to quality. Take time to make the best choice – you’ll rest easy knowing help is there when you need it.
Conclusion
Having a professional plumbing service or home electrical installation you can rely on provides peace of mind. Take time to assess options by checking licenses, insurance, experience, services, and customer reviews. Weigh factors like responsiveness, use of technology, materials, warranties and pricing. Investing in the right plumbing partner will save you from dealing with flooding, leaks and other headaches on your own when issues arise. Don’t wait until an emergency strikes – find your ideal plumbing company today.
