4 Questions You Should Ask When Hiring a Plumber

Plumbing issues are something all homeowners will have to deal with at some point in time, and the plumber you work with will make a major difference. Working with the wrong one could end up in an incomplete or botched job, which could cost you even more to fix. The wrong plumber could also leave with your money, or even put you at risk of legal action. This is why it’s important that you take your time before hiring one, so you can avoid unpleasant surprises. Here are some of the questions to ask any plumber you’re thinking of hiring.

Can I See Your License?

The most important thing is to know if they’re even allowed to work legally as a plumber in your state. This is why you should ask if they are licensed and look for proof. You also have to make sure that they have the proper insurance in place for them or anyone they’re working with. If they end up causing any damage to your property or a third party, you will be facing personal responsibility charges if they are not covered. So, make sure that you ask for proof of insurance and contact their insurance company to make sure that it’s valid.

What Kind of Warranty do You Offer?

Before you work with a plumber, you also want to know about guarantees and warranties. What happens if something breaks right after they leave? Will they come up to fix it, or is it only limited to certain fixtures or under conditions in the case of a leak?

This is also why you want to work with a plumber that is locally based, especially if you live in a small town. Working with a local plumber will make it easier for them to respond to emergencies and honor warranties. You also want to make sure that they’ve been in the community for a while if you want to reduce the chances of them disappearing overnight.

Will You Be Working with Subcontractors?

This is another very important thing that you have to keep into consideration when hiring a plumber. You want to know if they’re working with subcontractors, and who they are exactly. You always want to know who’s in your house and how they’re standing legally. Any negligence on their part could fall on your hands if they were not properly screened.

Are You Working on a Flat or Hourly Rate?

This one is very important. Whenever you get an estimate, you have to make sure that it’s a flat fee and not an hourly rate. Many plumbers will try to sneak in a clause that obligates the owner to pay any reasonable cost to finish the work, so you have to ask exactly how you’ll be billed.

These are just some of the questions you should ask before you hire anybody to do some plumbing work for you. Whatever you do, make sure that you check their track record, work ethics, and standing in the community before you make your final decision.

About The Author: Justin Jersey is a journalist, stylist and blogger. He is an aesthetician by heart who often writes about Art, Fashion, decorating and DIY ideas. He loves sparking creativity and giving them ideas for their own spaces.  Follow him on Twitter or Pinterest.

Image by Michal Jarmoluk from Pixabay