Finding a plumber is not very difficult to do if you feel that you need one. You can type some keywords into a search engine like “Millbrook plumber” or other keywords corresponding to your geographic location. That should let you pick and choose from among the options in your area.
As you’re getting ready to select a plumber, there are a few questions you might ask before you make your final choice. We’ll go over some of the topics you may want to bring up in the following article.
What Do You Charge for Service Calls?
Let’s say you’re calling a plumber because your toilet is leaking, or maybe you’re not getting the water pressure you want throughout the house. Those are common scenarios that can lead to contacting a plumber, but there are many more.
One of the key things you’ll want to discuss with the plumber when you get them on the phone is how much they charge for a service call. You might also see that information somewhere on the plumber’s website, but it’s best to double-check that when you talk to them.
Most plumbers charge you a nominal fee just to come take a look at a problem. In most instances, you need to pay them that fee. They’ll expect that money, regardless of whether you tell them to fix the issue or not.
Some plumbers will waive that fee if you hire them to fix the problem. Others will tack it onto the cost of the job. Make sure you understand how much that fee is and exactly how it works before you agree to have the plumber come to your home. You do not want to get blindsided by that fee when the plumber arrives.
That fee usually averages somewhere between $50 and $100. If it is any more than that, you will probably want to go with someone else.
Are You Fully Licensed and Insured?
There are some different qualifications in every state regarding how you can become licensed as a plumber. However, in all fifty states, you want someone with a valid plumbing license doing the repair work in your home if you have a leaky pipe or some other issue.
It is not rude or improper to ask to see a plumber’s license when they show up. By doing so, you can confirm that they have the expertise to handle your problem correctly. You will want to make sure the license looks valid and up to date.
You should also ask whether the plumber is insured or not. If they do not have insurance, there is no way you want them doing any work in your home. Their insurance covers things like injuries and property damage if anything goes wrong during the repair job.
How Soon Can You Fix My Problem?
Maybe a plumber seems polite and well-qualified to do the fix your problem requires. However, you usually can’t afford to wait for a long time if you’re faced with a plumbing disaster.
If you contact a plumber, maybe they seem ideal. They might say they’ve got too much on their plate that week, though, and it will take them several days to get to you. If so, you’ll probably need to hire someone else.
For the most part, you can’t sit on a plumbing problem for days or weeks. By the time you’ve decided to call, the issue has likely progressed to the point where you need someone to come deal with it urgently. You probably want a plumber who can get to you that same day or the following day at the latest.
Can I Save Money by Signing Up for a Service Plan?
Most plumbers will give you the option to sign up for a service plan when they arrive if you don’t have one of these plans already. It behooves you as a homeowner to at least take a look at the plan and consider it.
Service plans that plumbers offer typically cost a certain amount each month, or you can pay for a whole yearly plan all at once if you can afford to drop a chunk of money all at the same time. Why do you want one of these plans? A key reason is that if you get the plan, one of the benefits is typically that you can save money on any repair work that is required in your home while you are protected under the policy.
Usually, you can save anywhere from 10% to 20% on repair work if you have one of these plans. You can look at the plan a plumbing company offers you similarly to homeowner’s insurance. You may not need it, but you’ll be glad that it’s in place.
If you’ve progressed to calling a plumber already, though, you likely have an issue that needs to be fixed without delay. Signing up for a service plan on the spot might save you money on the repair. What you should do is crunch the numbers to see if signing up for the service plan makes sense from a financial standpoint.
What Payment Methods Are Available?
You should also ask the plumber what payment methods are acceptable before you give them permission to do the work. They might agree to take a personal check, or maybe cash or a credit card is more to their liking.
Not all plumbers will take personal checks anymore, as some companies view them to be an outdated payment method. Most companies will accept cash, if necessary, but you may not have hundreds or thousands of dollars lying around the house if it’s an expensive job.
Plumbers that will take a credit card are common, and that might be your best bet when the moment comes to pay for the repairs. Just make sure you have one of the payment options available that the plumber accepts before you give them the okay to start working.
