How To Hire A Great Plumber
If you are a homeowner, you will inevitably need to hire a plumber. When that time comes, will you feel like you know enough to make that important decision? Or will you be like so many unfortunate people who scramble and make a hasty decision—and then regret it?
Read on and then rest assured that you will be ready to hire a great plumber when the time comes.
Check their license. Most states require plumbers to be licensed. How does this help you? Because the licensing agency also typically has a number you can call (or a website you can visit) where you can verify the plumber’s credentials. Also, you can usually find out what complaints have been filed against the plumber.
Check the company’s record with the Better Business Bureau This is an easy place to start because all you need is the company’s name and location. While not every company will be listed, many are.
Companies are rated on a scale from A+ to F. However, look beyond the letter grade to see the details. Some companies have a lower rating simply because they have received so few complaints that one unresolved one tanks their rating. If a company has been around for years and received only one complaint, that may say more than their rating indicates. You can also read the details of the complaint, the company’s response (if any), and the resolution.
How long has the company been in business? A long history does not guarantee a great company, but it help to know that they have been doing enough right to stay in business.
How experienced are their plumbers? As with many professions, what is learned in school is just the beginning of a practitioner’s education. A simple clog in the pipe under your kitchen sink may be an easy enough job for any green plumber, but detecting and repairing a leak in an interior wall or underground may be another matter altogether. That expertise and experience may cost you a bit more for repairs, but it could save you hundreds or thousands of dollars in mistakes, too.
What are others saying? If you active in neighborhood activities, such as a homeowners association, seek recommendations there. This is especially helpful for finding small businesses that may not be large enough to have left a big mark in the digital landscape of review sites and social media. Small, local companies can be great because they are part of your community and may take great pride in that.
There is also the internet. The World Wide Web and social media have made customer reviews commonplace. Be sure that you look beyond the rating and at the number of people who have rated it.
Hiring a plumber can be a daunting gamble. But with those big checkmarks completed, you will be well-positioned to hire a great plumber.