Plumbers aren’t professionals homeowners need on a regular basis. When emergency strikes, however, it pays to seek the right professional for the job. When water is spurting like a geyser or a room is flooded, homeowners are paralyzed. They can’t think how to choose the right plumber for the situation. Part of that paralysis is the realization that broken plumbing could result in other failures in the future.
The health and safety of the family are also at risk. In an effort to help homeowners, we’ve compiled a few points to consider when searching for the right plumber for your situation.
Length of Time in Business
Newly established professionals run up against the brick wall of not enough time in business. They might have been a straight A student, aced all their exams and apprenticed for an established plumber, but they’re still the new kid on the block. Check to see if the plumber you call has been established for some years.
Proper Licensing is Important
Professionals in many lines of business are required to have a license to practice their specialty. Plumbing professionals, including subcontractors and journeymen or apprentices, should be licensed by the state.
Insurance is of Paramount Importance
No plumber worth his salt will lack insurance. Liability as well as worker’s compensation is important for the homeowner’s protection. In some states, plumbers might also require bonding, so be sure to check on this.
Check Their References
Homeowners would sooner remain at home than let someone with no good references babysit their children. The plumbing is every bit as important to a homeowner as a trusted babysitter. The references of any professional substantiate their expertise and quality. Moreover, without good references, they’d be out of business. Check those references.
Thanks for the great tips for choosing a plumber. I agree that finding someone who’s licensed by the state is vital. That’s the first thing we’ll check when we hire someone to help us remodel our bathroom.
My husband and I are currently remodeling our house and we’re looking for a plumbing contractor that will be able to help us install pipes and other fixtures. So I like your advice to make sure that any professional that may be working our home is properly licensed, even if they are just an apprentice. I’ll make sure to ask every plumbing contractor I talk to if everyone on their staff is properly licensed and to even ask about proof once I’ve hired them.
Great tips! I especially like the one about checking references while choosing a plumber. My parents have recently moved into the countryside house, and they’ll need a comprehensive checkup of the plumbing system in order to be sure of their safety there. I’ll share this useful information with them.
I noticed that the toilet was backing up last night, this morning my younger sister approached me and complained about the same thing. I know I can’t do the cleaning myself, so I need to hire a professional to do the job. It was great how you mentioned making sure to check for licenses and certifications because those documents are necessary to practice their specialty. Thank you for sharing. I’ll make sure to remember this.
It was great that I came across this article because I learned that things that I need to look for if I want to hire a good and reliable plumber to fix my pipes. One of the things that I liked was when you mentioned choosing one that has the right licensing because that will mean that they received the right education and training needed to do the job. As a homeowner, I prefer that over anything else since I do not want more damage instead of a solution. I will begin my research right away. Thank you.
I agree that you would want to make sure that a plumber is properly licensed. It would be good to consider this because it would show that they are professionals. I’m looking for a plumber to replace some leaky pipes, so I’ll have to consider their licensing.
I have noticed that my water heater is not working well and there have been some leaks. I know that I can’t fix this myself, so I am looking for a plumber to come and make the repairs. You make a great point that when looking for a plumber you should find out how long they have been in business because this means that they are experienced and established in the community. Also, I will make sure to ask different plumbers for references from their previous clients so that I can find out if they provide quality work and customer service.
I like your point about proper licensing being important. My husband found that our pipes are frozen. I’ll have to find the right plumber in our area to come and help with this.
I do like that the article emphasizes the importance of proper licensed. After all, when you hire a plumber you want them to be properly trained. Their license is a showcase that they have not only received the proper training, but have been approved to run a business as well.
Today I tried to take a hot shower and I couldn’t get the water to warm up, so I think that something is wrong with my water heater. However, I have no idea what the problem is, so I need to find a plumber who I can trust to come and look at it as soon as possible. You make a great point that I should find a plumber who has been in business for many years because this shows that they have experience with repairs similar to mine. Also, in my opinion, it would be great to find a plumber who offers a warranty for their services because this shows me that they stand behind the quality of their work.
I recently bought a home and this is the first time I have ever been responsible for utility repairs and maintenance, so I am looking for a quality plumber in the area. You make a great point that I should look for a plumber who is licensed and insured. This way I won’t have to worry about being liable if there is an accident and I will be reimbursed if there is any physical damage to my home during the repair or maintenance process.
I really appreciate your tip to check and see if your state requires bonding with plumbers. My wife and I have been looking for someone to help with our bathroom in our unfinished basement. I will be sure to check our state to see if any plumber we hire needs to be bonded.
I agree that insurance is very important to consider when choosing a plumber. The company you choose needs to be insured to offer your protection. It’s good to know that in some states, the plumber might require bonding as well, like you said.
I think that making sure your plumber is properly licensed is crucial. It’s often shrugged off but I think that someone who is licensed by the state will probably guarantee a good job. I know if I was hiring a plumber, I would look for that.