Choosing a plumber is something which shouldn’t be done lightly, because plumbing is such an important part of the home. Unfortunately, with the best will in the world, things happen, and so you will at some point need to find a plumber.
The good news is that there is a lot of help available for people who need to find a plumber – you just need to look around for it. Different people have different ideas of what is okay though, so you should still be wary when trying to find someone to help you with your issues.
- Check the license they hold
All plumbers need to be certified in what they do, as well as hold licences which allow them to work on plumbing systems. Make sure that the plumber you hired has certificates and license for the work you are hiring him to do.
- Check what they can do
Many plumbers will offer a range of plumbing services to their customers – you should check that your specific issue is part of that. This is quite a tricky problem, because there are a lot of plumbers who can work on many different issues, but there are also many who specialise in specific areas. You need to be careful when choosing a plumber because many of them use these qualifications as a shield.
Most plumbers are good at what they do, and if they say that they are capable of providing a range of services and repairs, then you should believe them. Unfortunately some plumbers say that they are capable of many things just so that they can widen their net for work – these plumbers may have basic skills, but they are not capable of anything other than these minor things, and so should be avoided by anybody who needs extensive repairs. Plumbing is very important, and should be done by a complete professional.
- Prices
This is quite tricky, because while most people are looking for somebody who will fit within their budget, they also want good work, and good work normally costs more. Plumbers can be quite expensive, so juggling the two problems is something takes some skill.
Remember that you pay for the work you get, so that a plumber who is more expensive than the average will most likely be one who really knows what he is doing, and can be trusted with his repairs.
Also remember that price goes up as the time you are in business lengthens – your time becomes more valuable as your client list grows.
- Business
How long has the plumber been in business? It is always better to get a plumber who has been working for longer, even though (as discussed above), they will most likely be more expensive. If someone has been in business for a long time, then you can be sure that they will have at least some experience which is relative to your needs, and so will be more suited to your work.