There are a number of reasons why you may need to call on a plumber. A burst geyser, water leaks, blocked drains, or poor water pressure to name a few. However, we have all heard a horror story or two of people who have hired inexperienced or unlicenced plumbers and ended up with a badly botched job that ultimately cost them an arm and a leg to fix.
As such, you should consider the plumber you choose carefully. You want to hire someone who is both affordable and reputable. And qualified. And ideally, you want to be able to call on their services again in the future, knowing that you will be getting the service you need.
Below is a list of factors to consider when you are hiring a plumber or a plumbing company, to help you make a good choice.
Licensing
Check if the plumber is licenced. Many people may claim to be plumbers, but they might only be ‘handymen’ and may lack the necessary certification. A fully qualified plumber will be registered with Plumbing Industry Registration Board (PIRB). Avoid a plumber that is not registered because they may not possess the knowledge or skills needed to comply with the plumbing standards issued by the PIRB.
Experience
Choose an established plumbing company with experience and know how. One that has been around for a couple of years will have the experience to know how to diagnose an issue and repair it quickly, and are generally more reputable.
Reliability
How the plumber presents themselves and their company will speak volumes about their trustworthiness and reliability. You want to see a vehicle that is well maintained and with visible branding for the company. It is important for a plumber to always conduct themselves professionally. This means that they should maintain a neat and clean appearance and they should be punctual. They should also be polite and have clear, direct communication with you and be willing to answer questions. They should also be respectful in their conduct towards their staff. They should also be fit enough to do physical labour, as plumbing can be physically taxing work.
Good reviews
If the company was not initially referred to you by a friend or other members of your community, it’s a good idea to check on their reputability in some way. Often the quickest way to do this is to check online for reviews. Alternatively, you can ask the plumber directly for contact details of a recent previous clientele. Make sure you get their name, number, email and place of business to ensure that it is a legitimate client and not just a friend of the plumber. Ask questions about how long they have made use of this plumber, what services they provided, were they on time with their work, did they stick to the quote provided, was the work done well and was there anything specific they liked about this company.
This will provide you with peace of mind. And a reputable plumber will have no problem providing good references, so don’t be afraid to ask.
Costs
Plumbers usually have a call out fee, which is an upfront fee that they charge for coming over to diagnose the problem. The call out fee is usually standard, unless the call out occurs after business hours or on public holidays. Any business should be able to provide this cost to you over the phone.
Once they know what the problem is, they can let you know how they plan to proceed and how much this may cost you. This is very important, as the cost of the services could be higher than you expected. What’s more, a dodgy plumber may choose to go ahead with the fix without informing you of the full cost, which could leave you with a considerable bill on your hands.
Once they have provided you with a quote, make sure that all the different costs of the repair are listed for you. If there are potential variables, such as the possibility of a repair taking longer than they are quoting you, make sure that this is disclosed and discussed beforehand. A breakdown of all fees should also include materials and labour costs and a warranty.
Also be sure to ask how the plumbing company prefers payment, when and if they have an hourly or flat rate. A reputable business will be happy to work with you on building a payment plan that accommodates your budget. Note that quality of work is sometimes associated with the cost and hiring the cheapest plumber available may cost you more in the long run. Another thing to look out for is if the company has a business bank account. A registered company should have a business account and the lack of one is a red flag to watch out for.
Warranty
Do not hire a plumbing service that does not offer a warranty. Those that offer them are confidant in the quality of the work and are also willing to correct any mistakes that may occur during a job. A good plumber will typically offer some kind of guarantee on the work they perform.
Insurance
There is always a risk of something going wrong during a repair job, no matter the experience level or great reviews a company may have. Inquiring after their insurance policy is a good idea. Ask them to specify what kind of insurance they have, not just that they have insurance. You want to make sure they have a type of insurance that can cover any damage done during, or as a result of, the repair they performed. This will can help to cover costs of problems like water damage, moulding, and so on.
If you hire a company that does not have insurance and something goes wrong, you will be liable for the cost of any damage they cause.
Workers
Your home’s plumbing may be fixed or maintained by a single plumber or a team. When the plumber comes out to give you a quote, check if they will be completing the work personally or if someone else will be. Make sure you know who will be completing the work, and that they have credentials and experience. If you’re not comfortable with the person who will be working on your plumbing or you are not happy with their credentials or experience, don’t feel obliged to continue working with them.
Certificate of compliance
Plumbing Certificates of Compliance are issued by licensed plumbers to certify that their plumbing work complies with all regulatory installations requirements. This will hold a plumber accountable for the work that they have done. Make sure your chosen plumber can offer this to you.
By considering these points when deciding who to work with, you are more likely to get great service from someone that is professional, experienced, and suitably accredited to work in your home. If you find a great plumber, save their number for next time. You never know when your pipes might play up.