When it comes time to choose a drainage company, there are a few things you should keep in mind.
- Experience -you want a company that has been around for a while and knows what they’re doing.
- Customer service -you want a company that will be responsive to your needs and willing to work with you.
- Price -you don’t want to overspend, but you also don’t want to go with the cheapest option.
- Reputation -choose a company that has a good reputation and is known for quality work.
- Licensing and insurance -make sure the company you choose is licensed and insured.
So let’s have a look at a few of these things in a bit more detail and help ensure that if you are unfortunate to suffer any kind of drainage damage you will get it resolved quickly, effectively and at a price that doesn’t break the bank.
Experience
One of the first questions to ask when you are choosing a drainage company is how long have they been established and what level of experience they have. While being in business for a long time isn’t necessarily a guarantee of quality it does at least demonstrate longevity. The fact that someone has been in business for an extended period generally means that they have been doing something right and will over that period have encountered and dealt with all manner of drainage issues. In most cases, experienced drainage engineers will have the skill and knowledge to resolve issues quicker which will result in much less disruption for you.
Price
When you discover you have a drainage issue it is natural to want it resolved as quickly as possible. However, that doesn’t mean you should just choose the first option you come to. For example, some companies may advertise a no-call-out charge or a fixed price for unblocking your drains. Our advice would be to always speak to the contractor and find out exactly what that covers. You should always try and get a full quotation for the work involved before work starts to ensure there are no hidden surprises when you get the invoice. Remember you are the customer and while you may be keen to get things sorted quickly a little bit of research can save you a lot of money.
Reputation
In the internet world, there is no excuse for not doing your research before hiring a contractor. There will usually be online reviews for most companies, and these will usually give you a good idea of how they operate. However, if at all possible we would advise that you try and get recommendations from friends and family who have used the company concerned. That way you can be 100% sure of the service you will receive.
Customer Service
Customer service is a key component of any successful business and as such when choosing a company for Essex Drainage, or one based anywhere you should look at what they offer. For example, do they provide a 24/7 call-out facility so you can get them when they are most needed? Things like not charging a call-out fee are usually signs of a company that looks after its customers. Another good indication of good customer service is how they react when answering the phone or other enquiries. If they answer quickly and in a friendly manner it usually tells you they are a company that is keen to work with you.
Insurance
When you’re choosing a drainage company, it’s important to make sure that any work they carry out is fully insured. This is especially important if you are using someone for the first time. This protects you in case anything goes wrong while the work is being done. It also ensures that the company is qualified to do the work properly. You don’t want to hire a company that doesn’t have the proper licensing and insurance, because you could end up with a lot of expensive problems down the road.
Hopefully, your drains will continue to operate as they should, and you won’t need to employ the services of a professional drainage company. But if you do, following the tips we have highlighted above should help ensure you get the right one.
