Things to Look For Before Hiring a Plumber

By: Christine Dunbar

Opening your home up to a plumbing contractor should be done with caution. read on to learn some of the most important things to look for when hiring a plumber.

How to Hire a Plumber

Hiring a plumbing contractor for a plumbing issue in your home, whether it be a simple leak or a complete kitchen sink overhaul, can be a little unnerving. After all, this is your home that you are trusting this contractor with and actually paying him a considerable amount of money with the expectation to do the job quickly, efficiently and with great diligence and care. Who ever you decide to hire will be working on your home, which is not just a personal investment but an essential part of your life. Following some of these suggestions can help ensure that the plumbing contractor will work just as hard as you did for your home.

Don't Be Afraid to Do Your Research

The worst thing that you could do is not ask any questions. Hiring a plumber without inquiring about the contractor's history and work ethic could jeopardize the quality of the job. The whole point is to make sure that you hire someone that you are absolutely comfortable with. If you don't feel comfortable asking plumbers a few questions then a good way to find out more is to talk to your neighbors. This is beneficial because your neighborhood most likely have similar plumbing (depending on the area) and those who live next to you may have used a plumber that they could refer to you. In some cases a neighbor may have used the same plumber for years and completely trusts their work.
Licensing And BBB

Contact your state, city or county about contractor licensing (who you contact will depend on your state). To find out who to contact you may simply do a quick search online or contact your local city government and they will be able to point you in the right direction. This step is especially important because if you hire a plumber without proper licensing the contractor will not be liable for any mistakes that were made on the job. A license guarantees that the plumber is capable of doing the work. Also, contact the local Better Business Bureau office and see if the contractor you wish to hire is registered with them. If they are it is a definitely indication that the contractor sincerely cares for the quality of work that he or she does.

Get All The Details
So you think you've got the right plumber and you are ready to move on to the next step and hire them. However, the last thing you would want is to hire a plumber and then be blindsided by handing you the bill. Upon further examination of the invoice you notice that you were not only charged for the hourly labor, but for parts and other unexpected expenses. Before you confirm that the contractor is hired ask them to give you a written breakdown of all expenses that will be needed to complete the job. That way, if the plumber finishes the job and indicates that it will be more than the contractor initially quoted you will have written documentation of what was agreed upon.