The average American moves more than 11 times in their lives. Each time you move, whether it’s across town or to a new state, you end up finding repairs and issues that need repair once you move into your new home.
Though some repairs can wait, you should never put off plumbing repairs.
You need to find a plumber you can trust to handle those problems quickly. Though searching online for a “plumber near me” is a great place to start, you have more work to do if you want to find the best expert out there.
Here are a few proven tips to help you find a reliable plumber you can work with for years to come.
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1. Ask Your Network
The best way to find a plumber you can trust isn’t to search the internet for “plumbing companies near me.” It’s to ask the people you know and trust.
Talk to your friends, family, coworkers, and anyone else in your network that you trust to refer you to a professional. Even if they don’t know of a reliable plumber, the chances are good that someone in their network will.
Create a list of the plumbers that your network recommends and pay close attention to any names that come up more than once. If more than one person recommends a specific plumbing contractor, it’s likely that you’ll be happy with their services.
That said, it’s worth following up with each plumber your network recommends. This way, you’ll be able to compare their services and find the best fit for your needs.
2. Read up on Reviews
Once you have a few names in mind, take the time to read reviews posted online. This will give you a simple way to see what previous clients and customers thought about each contractor’s services.
Start your search with the Better Business Bureau and see if there are any outstanding complaints against them. If there aren’t, read reviews posted online and get a feel for the quality of their work.
Pay attention to the general tone of the reviews. If most are positive, you’ll probably have a similar experience. However, if most of the reviews mention the same types of problems, you’ll likely experience those issues yourself and you’ll want to work with a different contractor.
3. Get Estimates From Several Plumbers
Though reading reviews will give you an idea of which plumbers are worth working with, they won’t tell you much about the prices they charge. You’ll need to schedule estimates from at least a few plumbers in your area before you can make a decision.
If possible, try to schedule an in-person assessment of your home’s plumbing. This allows the plumber to more accurately assess the problem. After they make the assessment, get an estimate in writing for the repairs.
Don’t hesitate to ask about any incidental fees you might expect from their repair work. These could include mileage charges, emergency surcharges, and any other additional costs not included in the main estimate.
Once you have a few written estimates in hand, compare them in detail. See what types of work each plumber recommends and how much they’ll charge for the service.
4. Make Sure They’re Licensed and Insured
Before any contractor works on your property, you need to make sure they’re licensed and insured. At a minimum, each contractor should have a comprehensive business liability insurance policy in place and be willing to provide you with proof of that insurance policy.
This protects you from having to pay for any damage they do to your property while working on your plumbing. Without liability insurance, you could have to pay for additional repairs out of pocket.
The plumber should also have a valid workers’ compensation insurance policy in place. This insurance covers the cost of any medical treatments resulting from injuries their team receives on the job. If they don’t have the policy, you could be liable for the damages.
Once you’ve verified their insurance coverage, ask for their business license number. This shows that they’re registered with the local government and perform all repairs and plumbing work up to current codes. The last thing you want to do is have to pay for another plumber to fix the damage caused by your first contractor.
5. Ask About Their Experience
Take the time to find out about each plumbing company’s experience and their familiarity with the types of plumbing problems you’re facing. The last thing you want to do is end up with a plumber that’s not familiar with your types of plumbing fixtures or problems.
Remember, pay attention to the experience the contractor has, not the overall length of time they’ve worked with a certain company. You may find a new company that’s founded and operated by a plumber with decades of experience under their belts.
6. Don’t Make a Decision on Price Alone
Though it’s tempting to search the internet for the “cheapest local plumber near me” and make a decision based on price alone, don’t. You often get what you pay for when it comes to plumbing repairs.
More experienced plumbers will cost more than less experienced plumbers. You’re effectively paying for their knowledge and experience. That experience can make all the difference in the quality of the workmanship you receive.
Keep in mind that the more expensive plumbers should still charge fair prices. You don’t want to choose a contractor that will break the bank just to fix a dripping faucet.
When in doubt, look at your budget, your comfort level with the plumber, and the experience they bring to the table.
You Don’t Have to Struggle to Find a “Plumber Near Me”
If you’re worried about the plumbing in your house, the sooner you can get it inspected and fixed, the better off you’ll be. Searching the internet for a reliable “plumber near me” is just the first step you’ll need to take.
Keep these tips in mind and you’ll be able to find a plumber you can trust to repair your plumbing problems in no time.
Though your plumber will be able to fix both minor and major plumbing issues, it’s far better to prevent them in the first place. The best thing you can do is learn how to maintain your home on your own. Check out our latest posts for more tips and tricks to make taking home maintenance into your own hands.
