If you own your own home or business, then the chances are that you will need to hire a local plumber at some point in time. A plumber specializes in installing and repairing water supply lines, sewage systems, faucets, gas lines, and other appliances that use water.
When you’re navigating the waters of hiring a plumber, there are a few things you should look for when you’re looking up ‘plumber near me’ and choose from the selection available.
What to Look For
The first thing you need to know is that not all plumbers are the same. Some can work on small jobs, such as replacing faucets or repairing leaky pipes under sinks or behind the toilets.
Others work exclusively on larger projects, such as laying down new sewage systems or helping to install a water heater. Some plumbers work with gas lines, and others only deal with the water coming out of your faucets inside your home.
When you look online for a reputable plumber, many will show up in the search results. You don’t want to hire just anyone, however. Here are a few qualities that should help you spot a quality plumber.
Experience
A seasoned professional will have the knowledge and skills necessary to get the job done right the first time around. They won’t have to come back multiple times because they did not complete their work properly. A good rule of thumb is to hire someone who has been in business for at least five years.
Online Reviews
One of the great things about living in an age where many people rely on the internet is that you can get a good idea of what previous customers think about their experience by reading online reviews. If there are no reviews, then that should be a red flag. If you can’t find any online, reach out to friends and family members to see if they are familiar with the plumber you are considering hiring.
Upside Potential
A reputable professional will have a long list of satisfied customers that will be eager to go online and sing their praises. You need to know what most people think about their work. If most of the reviews are positive, then that is a good sign. If they are negative, however, you need to keep looking.
Affordability
As with most things in life, you usually get what you pay for. While you don’t want to hire someone who is out to take advantage of your lack of knowledge about hiring plumbers, you also don’t want to choose someone whose rates are too low.
Look for reasonable rates that will allow both parties to feel as though they are being fairly compensated for their work. When you search for a ‘plumber near me’, the rates can vary depending on where you are.
Customer Service Skills
You want to make sure your plumber can communicate effectively with you. A few things to consider here are how long they take to return your phone calls, how polite they are when they talk to you and whether or not they can easily answer your questions. You might want to ask them directly about these things. If their customer service skills aren’t up to par, it may be best to keep looking for someone with better people skills.
Communication
The majority of plumbers need to contact their customers throughout the entire process, which means great communication skills are a must. The plumber should call you on the phone to discuss all of the details before they arrive on site.
A good plumber knows how to listen and how to answer questions. They need to explain your options clearly so that you can make informed decisions regarding your needs. If they can’t do that, then they may not be the right choice for you.
Trustworthiness
Don’t hire someone you don’t trust. You need to trust your plumber with your personal information, such as where your water and gas lines are located and whether or not you have an alarm system attached to your home.
You should also trust them enough to give them access to your home when you are not there, which is the case if they need to go under sinks or behind toilets.
Contacting the Plumber
Once you have found a plumber with experience, some online reviews, and reasonably priced services, it is time to contact them. Request an in-person meeting where you can discuss your needs and ask any questions that come to mind. Don’t be afraid to voice any concerns you might have about their ability to complete the task.
A reputable plumber will not be offended by your questions, especially if they are posed respectfully. So when you’re searching for a ‘plumber near me,’ know what to look for.
Before starting this process, remember to have realistic expectations about what you are looking for in your plumber. It may take several phone calls before you find an expert who meets all of your needs.