A government report suggests that a tiny leak in your home lets out over 10,000 gallons of water. If you’re moving into a new home, you must hire a good plumber. Plumbers can be expensive, and it’s not worth hiring someone who doesn’t do the job correctly in the first place.
You must ensure that the plumber you are hiring is good at their job. You can only do so through due diligence and by asking them relevant questions personally. Here are some of the top questions to ask a plumber before hiring them.
What Type of Plumbing Experience Do You Have?
When interviewing a plumber, it’s vital to ask them the relevant questions. If you are unsure, you can take a look at some of the most common questions plumbers are frequently asked. Plumbers with more experience are more likely to be able to handle your job and may have more ideas on how to improve your plumbing system. It is because most plumbers either learn on the job through apprenticeship or a vocational-technical school.
Ask any potential plumbers what they do and where they work. Listen carefully when they answer because this will tell you a lot about them as well as their business practices. If a plumber asks questions about your home, take that as a good sign. They want to ensure that the job is done right for you, which means fewer complications down the road (and fewer calls back).
Ask if there are any particular types of homes or situations in which they’ve had trouble with plumbing before. Then ask how they handled those situations and if they learned any lessons.
Can You Please Provide Some References?
When you’re ready to make that initial call, it’s crucial to ask for references from the plumber. References can be a good way to check out the company and determine how well they do their jobs. You can get references through a friend, neighbor, or coworker who has had similar jobs done. The best way to ensure an accurate assessment is by asking for multiple professional referrals from customers who have had similar work done in their homes.
Referrals are valuable because they come straight from customers who’ve hired your potential plumbing company before and not just from any random friend or family member. A good approach is asking multiple people (ideally at least three) if they would recommend this particular company or not. If you get more than one yes answer, then that’s probably a good indication there aren’t any major issues with them as far as customer service goes, which means it’ll probably go smoothly when working together too.
Are You Bonded and Insured?
A bond is a commitment to reimburse your costs if a service provider fails to complete the job or does it incorrectly. A bonded plumber will be responsible for fixing any problems caused by their work, even if they’re not at fault.
Insurance protects you and your plumber in case of an accident while they’re working in your home. It can help pay for medical bills should someone get hurt on site and also cover damages caused by faulty equipment or materials used during installation. According to a recent report, the number of fatal injuries in construction during 2021/22 was 30. Therefore, you must ensure your plumber or plumbing company has insurance.
Because bonds and insurance are vital parts of providing quality service, it’s important not to cut corners when looking for a new plumber, especially if they aren’t already covered by one. Ensure they have both before signing any contracts with them so that you don’t end up paying more than necessary later.
Can You Provide Me With a Detailed Cost Estimate?
When you are trying to choose a plumber, one of the most important things you can ask them is for a detailed cost estimate. It should include all parts and labor costs and any additional charges that may apply. For instance, if you need a new garbage disposal installed, it would be good to know if your plumber will charge extra for this service or whether it is included in their price quote.
If your plumber provides free estimates, ensure they’re not just trying to get into your home so they can sell you unnecessary work. You should get written estimates on any major plumbing repairs so that there’s no confusion later on down the road when the bill comes due.
What Type of Warranty Do You Offer?
You should always ask if a plumbing company offers a warranty on its work. A warranty is an assurance that the company will fix any problem with the pipes, drains, and other systems at no cost to you if something goes wrong. There are two types of warranties, implied and written.
The implied warranty is an agreement between you and the plumber that everything they do will be done safely and effectively without breaking anything else in your house and that they’ll stand behind their work for at least six months after installing it. It can be as vague as “we guarantee our work,” so make sure there’s some written confirmation from the plumber stating this before signing any contracts.
If something happens during those six months, for example, one of their workers broke a pipe while installing something new, they need to fix it immediately or give you some sort of compensation, depending on how much time has passed since installation day. After six months have passed, though? You’re out of luck unless there’s an explicit provision within their contract about honoring warranties beyond this initial period. Otherwise, it becomes “at their discretion” whether or not they will continue servicing faulty installations through their company.
Conclusion
These are just a few questions to ask before hiring a plumber. But don’t be afraid to get some references and vet the plumber you choose. Hiring the right person can make all the difference when it comes to getting your new home up and running smoothly.
