We’ve all been there. You wake up one morning, and you’re having a really bad day. You walk into the bathroom, and there’s a puddle of water on the floor. Or maybe there’s just an obnoxious drip coming from somewhere. It’s enough to make you want to cry—but at least you have a working toilet!
It happens to everyone at some point in their lives. But when it happens, the last thing you want to do is try and fix your plumbing problem yourself. You don’t know where to start or even if it’s safe for you to do so. What you really need is professional assistance from a reliable, experienced plumber.
In fact, whether it’s because of an emergency or because you want to improve the quality of your life with some new plumbing fixtures, it’s important that you hire the right plumbing company for the job.
But how do you know which plumbing company is right for you? How can you be sure that your plumbing project will be completed by a professional who will do the job right, at a price that’s fair and affordable? Here are some tips to help you find the best plumber for your needs.
7 Things to Look for When Hiring a Plumbing Company
As you’ve probably noticed, plumbing is something that you can’t ignore. Whether it’s the faucet in your bathroom or the water heater in your basement, your plumbing is always there to serve you and make your life easier.
But what if something goes wrong? What if you need to fix a leak or replace your old water heater? In these situations, it’s best to hire a plumber. After all, they are the ones who know what they’re doing, right? Not always. There are plenty of amateur plumbers out there that will give you an inferior job and charge you a lot of money for it. And that’s why it’s important to know the signs of a good plumber—one that won’t rip you off or leave behind a mess. To help you out, we’ve compiled a list of the top seven signs that your plumber is trustworthy and reliable.
1) Are they licensed and Insured?
One of the first things you should ask when you’re looking into hiring a plumbing company is whether or not they are licensed and insured. It’s a simple question, but it can tell you a lot about the company’s integrity and professionalism.
Plumbing is a specialized trade that requires extensive training and education. In order to become licensed, plumbers must pass an examination given by their state’s board of plumbing examiners. They also have to meet specific requirements for experience, training, and education in order to qualify for their license.
The same is true for insurance. You should always ask to see a copy of your plumber’s license and insurance papers before you hire them. Being insured protects both you and the company from being held responsible for any damage done while working on your plumbing system, so it’s important to verify that they are covered before hiring them.
2) Can They Provide References?
When you’re looking for a new plumber, it’s important to be sure that they are a quality company that you can trust. One of the best ways to ensure this is by asking them for references. A good plumbing company should be able to provide you with at least three references from customers who have used their services in the last few weeks or months. You can then speak directly with these customers to see what their experiences were like and if they would recommend this company to others.
This is also an important step because it shows that your potential plumber is willing to stand behind their work by offering references for previous customers who have had positive experiences with them. It shows that they have confidence in their own abilities, which will make you feel more comfortable hiring them for your job as well!
3) What Kind of Customer Service Can You Expect from Them?
If you’re looking for a plumbing company, customer service should be at the top of your list. After all, you’ll be spending quite a bit of time with these people—whether it’s an emergency or just a regular visit.
So, what does good customer service look like? It starts with prompt responses to phone calls and emails. A plumber should always respond within 24 hours to any sort of call or email, even if it’s just to let you know that he or she can’t make it out that day.
You should also be able to get through to someone on the phone quickly and easily; if there are long hold times or only voicemail, then something is probably wrong with your plumbing company.
What about the plumbing technicians themselves? They should arrive on time, wear professional uniforms and be knowledgeable about their work. A good plumber will also explain everything they’re doing so that you have a clear idea of what’s going on with your pipes or water heater.
Butler Plumbers from Oklahoma City, being a locally owned and operated business, takes immense pride in the quality of our workmanship and customer service. They strive to provide their valued customers with a positive experience, no matter what the plumbing needs may be. And when it comes to customer service, Butler Plumbing Inc. is second to none. They go above and beyond to ensure that their customers are satisfied with the work they perform and that they are 100% happy with the service provided.
4) Provide Written Estimate Before Starting
Hiring a plumbing company can be a scary prospect. You don’t want to get stuck with a bad plumber, and you definitely don’t want to be taken for a ride by an unscrupulous company. One way to avoid these problems is to get an estimate of what the job will cost before the work begins.
When you’re looking for a plumbing company, ask them if they’re willing to provide written estimates for their services before starting any work. If they say no, or hesitate to give you one when asked, then that’s probably not the company for you. You should also ask them about their pricing structure—are there any hidden fees? Are there extra charges for things like travel time or extra materials? If so, make sure you know what those are upfront before signing any agreements.
In essence, only work with a plumbing company that’s willing to answer all of your questions and doesn’t try to pressure you into making any decisions. When it comes to plumbing issues, you need someone who will be upfront with you about what needs to be fixed and how much it will cost.
5) Clean-Cut, Professional Employees
You want to work with a plumbing company that employs professional, clean-cut workers.
It’s not just about the work itself—you want to be able to trust the people who come into your home. You want them to be knowledgeable and experienced but also honest and personable. You want to know that they’re going to stand behind their work and that they’ll do everything they can to keep your home safe and healthy.
But when it comes down to it, you just want someone who’s going to treat your house like it was their own—and that means hiring someone whose personal appearance reflects the pride they take in their job and the respect they have for their clients. Sometimes, a good first impression is all you need.
6) Reasonable Pricing
Perhaps the most important thing to look for when hiring a plumbing company is reasonable pricing. You want to hire someone who is equipped to do the job right, but you also want to make sure that they are not going to charge an arm and a leg for their services.
And though there are things that can affect the price of plumbing services, including how long it takes for them to complete the job, if there are any additional parts or supplies needed, and what kind of tools need to be used, you should make sure that your plumber is not charging you for anything beyond what is reasonable. You should also make sure that you are being charged a flat rate for the job and not hourly. Some plumbers will charge by the hour, which can add up quickly. That’s why it’s best to have your plumbing company give you an estimate before they begin working so that you know exactly what it will cost.
7) Do They Have an Office in Your Area?
Local presence. This is a big one. If you’re looking for a plumbing company, it’s important to know that they have an office in your area—and not just a PO Box!
You want someone who can be there for you when you need them. If the plumber you hire lives out of town or even out of state, what happens if something goes wrong? You can’t expect them to drop everything and drive all over town to fix a clog in your toilet. They might not even be able to get there within a reasonable time frame.
That’s why you should always look for a company that has an office in your area—and preferably, one that’s close by.
Final Verdict
If you’re looking for a plumber, there are many options out there. It’s up to you to do your research and find someone who can handle the job at hand—and someone who will be available if something goes wrong. Hopefully, our guide has helped you to understand the process of finding a plumber and how to avoid some common mistakes.
