While there are many minor repairs that one can comfortably employ various DIY techniques to solve, it’s never recommended to do plumbing repairs by yourself. Plumbing is sensitive, and a minor problem can easily exacerbate and end up costing thousands of dollars if not diagnosed and repaired in the right way. 

An inexperienced plumber can also do a terrible job that may be costly to a homeowner. This is why it’s always crucial to seek the services of professional and certified plumbers for all Plumbing Services. Since most plumbing problems are often noticed at much more advanced stages, it’s always advisable to have a trusted plumber on speed dial instead of taking a gamble with just any unvetted random plumber on short notice. 

Identifying a reputable plumber shouldn’t be much of a hassle if you know what you are looking out for. Many people often narrow down their expectations of an excellent plumber to whether or not the rates they charge are affordable to them, throwing everything else under the bus. Plumbing charges are just a tiny fraction of the essential aspects you should consider and shouldn’t be a determining factor in itself. It’s even better to incur expensive plumbing rates and get quality services than get cheap rates at the expense of costlier future problems. 

The purpose of this article is to guide you on what qualities and qualifications to look out for in a professional and reputable plumber to enable you to make the best choice. Below are five things to consider.

Experience level 

During your selection process, ensure that all the potential plumbers you seek have the relevant experience. An amateur plumber may find it hard to complete complex or unfamiliar jobs compared to an experienced one who has been exposed to many similar or related scenarios. For the best results, you can narrow down your experience expectations to a specific task, such as if the plumber has experience dealing with cutting and assembling pipes or fitting fixtures, depending on your job offer. 

Their license

A great way to gauge the qualifications and ability of a potential plumber is by asking to see their license. You can confirm its validity by searching the license number on the relevant state website. Some unlicensed plumbers may fix minor plumbing repairs here and there, and although they may seem cheaper, there is a real risk of them doing a shoddy job which may require redoing, or even worse, ruin your plumbing system. Hiring unlicensed plumbers may be momentarily cheap but cost more, in the long run, to get a shoddy job redone. 

Their insurance and bonding status 

You should ensure that your potential plumbing contractor of choice is both bonded and insured. This will go a long way in protecting both of you in case of unforeseen issues that could lead to damages or hefty costs. Although an experienced plumber is expected to finish up a given job on time without any mishaps, it’s always good to ensure that they have adequate cover for any eventualities to be on the safe side. 

On the other hand, a bonded plumber is crucial as you’ll be protected if they don’t finish up the job properly as indicated in the contract or if they neglect to pay technicians working with them. If you have any complaints about the job and want to be compensated, you can raise the issue with the surety company from which the plumber took the bond. 

References for past jobs 

References are an integral part of any job application, and the search for a qualified plumber isn’t any different. It’s a great idea to ask for references for past jobs. If possible, have them show jobs most similar to yours in scope and size. This will offer insights on the kind of job quality to expect from a particular plumber and whether or not you’re okay with it. 

Their quotes and how they charge clients

While most plumbers often give an approximated but negotiable range of estimates over the phone, a plumber who gives you clear-cut estimates before assessing the job in question should raise doubts. A competent and honest plumber will need an inspection of your home to ascertain the amount of work required, including the materials. It may be prudent and beneficial to compare quotes from various plumbers to get a rough idea of what you should expect. It would be best to inquire how the plumber charges their clients. Depending on the nature of the job, they may allow piecemeal payments throughout the job. One who asks for the full amount upfront should raise questions.

By Manali