Your home’s plumbing system can cause significant damage when leaks or other problems aren’t fixed right away. Whether you have multiple clogged drains or leaky pipes, it’s important to find a company that offers dependable plumbing services quickly. You might also need to find a reliable plumber for plumbing installations or routine maintenance. The following tips can help you find a trusted plumber to handle all of your home’s plumbing needs.
Ask Family and Friends for Plumber Recommendations
If you have friends or family living near you, ask them to recommend a plumber that you can count on. You can also ask neighbors you trust for recommendations on local plumbers. Find out if the plumbers your friends, family, or neighbors hired showed up on time and performed quality work. Turning to people you know and trust for recommendations is a simple way to find a good plumber.
Read Online Reviews
What happens if you don’t know anyone who can recommend a plumber in your area? You can search for local plumbers online, and read through reviews from past customers. Avoid plumbers with red flags, such as more negative than positive reviews. Keep in mind that having a few negative reviews is expected, especially for plumbers who have been in business for years or even decades. However, their overall reviews should be positive. Taking the time to go through these reviews can help you find plumbers who have a reputation for providing dependable plumbing services.
Verify Information with Local Business Organizations
Business organizations in your area might be able to verify details on plumbers you’re interested in hiring, such as how long they’ve been in business or whether they’ve had any serious complaints lodged against them. Check these organizations for this information as you compare local plumbers.
Check for Valid Licensing
The plumber you hire for your home should be properly licensed and registered. When you visit websites for different plumbers in your area, look for their licensing information. These plumbers should list their licensing number on their website. You can also check the state licensing board to see if they have a current or valid license. In Arizona, for example, you can check the Arizona Registrar of Contractors for licensing information on plumbers.
Ask for Proof of Insurance
When you talk to local plumbers, ask for proof of insurance. Plumbers should have commercial general liability insurance and workers’ compensation. Commercial general liability insurance covers accidental damage to your home when you’re having plumbing work done. Workers’ compensation covers the cost of lost wages and medical bills if a plumber is injured while working on your plumbing system.
Look for Experienced Plumbers
When you’re looking for local plumbers you can rely on, find out how long they’ve been in business. Plumbers who have been in business for several years should have a solid reputation for providing high-quality plumbing repairs, installations, and maintenance. Hiring plumbers who have only been in business for a short time means you might not be able to find enough reviews on them, and they might not have much experience doing plumbing work.
Get an Estimate in Writing
Reputable plumbers should assess your plumbing issue before coming up with an estimate on the cost, whether you need repairs or installations done. Ask for an estimate in writing, and make sure it includes the cost of parts and labor. Having an estimate in writing means you won’t get hit with unexpected fees or costs added on.
Ask About Maintenance Contracts
Reliable plumbers usually offer maintenance contracts to help homeowners reduce their risk of leaks and other plumbing issues. These contracts can also play an important role in preventing problems that homeowners insurance companies might not pay for. Routine plumbing maintenance helps ensure that even minor issues are detected early and repaired before major damage occurs. You should have your plumbing checked and maintained at least once a year, so look for a company that offers these plumbing services.
If you’re looking for a reputable plumber in the Phoenix area, please contact Merlin’s AC & Plumbing. Our experienced plumbers can help you set up a maintenance contract to keep your plumbing system in good condition and lower the risk of repairs.
Sources
https://roc.force.com/AZRoc/s/contractor-search
https://www.homeadvisor.com/r/save-when-hiring-a-plumber/
https://www.thisoldhouse.com/plumbing/21014885/hiring-a-qualified-plumber