What Kind of Questions Should I Ask a Plumber?

When hiring a plumber, it is important that you ask the right questions. Guaranteeing that you have the right contractor for the job is often not only a matter of money and time, but one of health as well.

To ensure that you find the best candidate for the job, below I will provide you with a few questions you should be sure to ask before agreeing to anything.

1) Are you licensed? 

This is without a doubt one of the most important questions on this list. You may assume that every plumber is required to have a license, but you’d often be wrong. Many states do require plumbers to have one, but there are still many areas that do not have any such regulations. 

With this inquiry, it’s suggested you do your own research instead of taking the plumber’s word for it. Many online resources are available to make this easier. 

Along with this, it is important to ask who will be doing the work. Oftentimes larger companies will have different workers attending to different parts of the job. The person sent out to get an estimate may not be the same plumber who will do the final work. Be certain to clarify with your company as to who they will send to give you an  estimate and or who will be assigned to fix your problem so that you can ensure all workers are licensed. 

2) What will the total cost be? 

While this one may seem obvious, it can actually be quite tricky. There are a few things to remember when requesting the total. 

-Has the contractor surveyed the damage? A number given over the phone before a worker has arrived on site can not always be trusted. Allow a plumber to personally check out the issue before you begin negotiating the price.

-Does the given estimate include material costs? This is also an important question to ensure that you aren’t hit by surprise fees. The final price will involve not only labor but materials purchased for the job. 

-Is the price hourly or flat rate?

As a last tip, it is suggested that you get the price in writing. This will be easier to fall back on should any problems arise. 

3) Is clean up included? 

This is another hidden fee/problem to look out for. While many plumbers include clean up as a part of their job, not all will provide the service. This many leave you with a huge mess of leftover parts. Some may charge for the clean up service, but it’s always in your best interest to ask so that you are prepared for the end result of the visit. 

4) Is there a warranty? 

This is also an important question to present before signing a contract. It is always a good idea to make certain that you have a warranty in writing in the event you are left with a faulty appliance or inadequately done job. 

Aside from the questions you ask the professionals, there’s another equally important question you may be asking yourself during all of this planning. Do they provide what they say to do or do they disregard this after you’ve hired them? To better understand the quality of work they provide make sure you read their online reviews and go over their mission statement to get a feel of what kinds of service they actually offer.

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