Whether you're a homeowner, property manager, or business owner, you’ll need to contact a plumber at some point. Even if you have a good grasp of plumbing repairs and can do some DIY plumbing tasks, sometimes, it’s better to hire an expert to get the job done.
While a bad plumber may not be able to address your plumbing issues appropriately, a good plumber can save your bacon. The best plumbers come with a top-notch skill set, knowledge, and professionalism, giving you peace of mind. However, finding the right plumber can be a daunting task at times. You need to consider certain factors to ensure you get the right professional for the job.
8 Factors to Consider When Finding the Right Plumber
Here are eight factors you need to consider when hiring the right plumber:
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Qualifications
Whether you’re hiring a professional plumber or plumbing company, the first thing you need to consider is their qualifications and certifications. This will help you determine their level of expertise, experience, and knowledge. Also, this will help you determine the type and complexity of plumbing tasks they can handle.
At the same time, you need to check if the company is registered with the right organizations. You can do it in two ways: directly asking the plumber or visiting their website. Qualified and certified plumbers always mention it on their website.
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Others’ Recommendations
It's no secret that getting recommendations and advice from people you trust is one of the best ways to find top restaurants, picnic spots, camping sites, etc. - and a plumbing service is no exception here. You can ask your neighbors, friends, and relatives about plumbers you should hire and the ones you should avoid.
One thing to note here is that not all recommendations are equal, and you may get different opinions from different people about a particular plumbing company. Sometimes, people are biased toward their plumbers even if they provide average services.
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Professionalism
There’s no doubt professionalism is one of the most crucial factors when it comes to hiring a proper, well-qualified plumber. This may even include how a plumber dresses and communicates with their clients. One of the best ways to learn about their professionalism is to check reviews on their official websites.
This will help you determine the level of professionalism your chosen plumber has. In addition, you need to check if the plumber runs their business smoothly. Finalize your decision once you're completely satisfied with all these aspects.
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Costs
Plumbing costs may vary depending on the kind and magnitude of work that needs to be done. For instance, plumbing tasks like the relining of pipes require extra effort to complete. In such cases, the plumbing costs are high.
To avoid any confusion, it’s best to estimate all the charges associated with plumbing beforehand. These charges include the plumber's basic visiting fees and the additional cost associated with the plumbing work.
Once you’ve made an estimation, it will help you shortlist a few plumbers that suit your budget as well the kind of plumbing work you require. One thing to note here is that you shouldn’t only consider cheap plumbers to ensure that the quality is not compromised.
This is crucial because some companies charge affordable costs and provide excellent services. On the flip side, some companies are considerably expensive with average services.
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Insurance
The top-rated plumbing companies are generally insured for up to a certain amount. For instance, different plumbing companies claim they're insured for up to five million dollars. This means that the plumbing job will remain covered if the plumber runs into any problems during the process.
On the other hand, you can find plumbing companies that do not disclose their insurance coverage amount. These plumbing service providers come with risks, and you should avoid trusting them. Therefore, it's best to take the time to hire the plumbing companies that are insured.
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Urgency Level
In the event of an emergency, you will want the plumber to start the fixing process as quickly as possible. This is crucial because some emergencies need to be fixed before they get out of hand. For instance, a leaking tap could flood your home if not addressed on time.
With this in mind, it’s evident that you wouldn’t want to hire a plumber that does not respond quickly during emergencies. It is advisable to choose a plumber (or plumbing company) that provides services 24/7. You can take help from the reviews and ratings while selecting the right plumber.
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Online Presence
When choosing the right plumber, checking their online presence is vital. In this technology-driven world, a website is a must for all businesses. Therefore, make sure you find a plumber that has a detailed and updated website.
When you visit their website, go through the reviews and rating section to select the right professional. A top plumber usually has at least fifteen reviews and four-star ratings.
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Online Search
Lastly, you can go for the “plumber near me” search option to get a range of plumbers to choose from. It’s advisable to go through the websites of the top three plumbers and learn about their services.
You will need to find answers to some questions while navigating their websites. These include:
- Are they insured and licensed?
- Do they offer 24/7 service?
- Do they offer free estimates?
- Do they offer finance?
- Is their work warrantied?
The answers to these questions will help you find the plumber that suits your requirements.
Final Thoughts
Plumbing issues can be a constant worry if they are not appropriately handled. Even if you have a decent grasp of DIY plumbing repairs, some jobs are better left to experts. The best plumbers have sound knowledge, vast experience, insurance, excellent ratings, and affordable costs. If you’re looking for a top-notch plumber, make sure you look for the qualities (mentioned above) in them. If you’re still unsure, reach out to Mesa Plumbing Company for top-notch, reliable, professional plumbing services.