Charlotte Plumbers Buyers Guide

So you have decided it is time to bring in a professional plumber into your home. Regardless of the size or type of job, there are many things to consider when making this important decision.


10 Steps in finding a good plumber:

1.)Check to make sure that they have a contractors license. This is often displayed directly on their trucks. If not ask for it.
2.)Get two or more references and make sure you call them. You may be surprised how many companies give bogus references or that the customers were not at all satisfied with the work.
3.)Ask how long they have been in business.
4.)Get at least two other estimates for the job to make sure they are not ripping you off.
5.)Find a plumber that will give you pricing for small jobs over the phone.
6.)Get flat rate estimates so you know the total you will pay beforehand.
7.)Look for plumbers with good trucks meaning one who is organized and stocked. This is a sign they do clean work and will have what you need on hand and will not have to leave the job to get parts.
8.)Make sure they are listed online. If they have a website, check for customer testimonials. You can also check review sites to see what experiences other people had in your area.
9.)Avoid big companies, as they tend to have higher overhead. This means higher costs. Try to find a good local owner-operated plumber who doesnt have to pay workmans compensation or travel far and pass these expenses onto you.
10.)Stay away from the local yellow pages. These ads are very expensive and the costs will be passed on to you the consumer. Online is a great place to start your search.

The best place to start asking about a plumber is your family, neighbors, friends, and colleagues. Other good sources of referrals include contractors and real estate agents. Your city may even be able to provide a list of recommended plumbers who are familiar with the codes in your area. Another option is local unions associated with plumbing and/or construction. They should be able to properly direct you to a good plumber who is certified and specialized. Lastly, you may be able to find the ideal plumber through your local chamber of commerce. When asking for referrals, be sure to check the type of job the plumber was called in to accomplish. You are going to first identify the type of job you need and find a suitable plumber with experience with your type of project. Also, determine if the plumber specializes in residential or commercial work.


Some good questions to ask...

Were you happy with the quality provided by the plumbing contractor?
Everybody has their own ideas of quality, so you should take a look at their work and judge for yourself. Pay attention to details such as caulking and soldering. Are they using superior materials including reliable brands and top-quality hardware?


Did the plumbing contractor protect surfaces and areas around the project?
Depending on the nature of the job, moving and protecting furniture may be a major concern but dont forget about the walls and flooring. If a plumber was sloppy with one customer chances are they will be sloppy with all of them. If you are left to clean up after your plumber this will cost you more time, money, and frustration.


Were they courteous and polite?
This is a very important consideration. The entire experience, from beginning to end, needs to be as stress free as possible. Plus if the plumber enjoys their job, the quality and attention to details will be better. The plumbers attitude can and will affect the entire job as well. Hopefully this will be the first question you ask. If the answer to this question is no then do not go any further, you dont want to work with that person.


Is the warranty included?
If a warranty was included find out if it has a reasonable amount of time before expiring, 3 years is enough, and if it has any value. Simply stating a warranty isn't enough. Get it in writing and understand its limitations! A good plumber is happy to stand behind his warranty. Good plumbers use quality materials and know their level of expertise. If a plumber will not offer a warranty this should be a red flag. This is not a sign of professionalism and you should pass on them.


How to Hire a Plumber

Think about the last time you purchased a car. Chances are you didnt go to the yellow pages, choose a dealership at random, and buy your car from the first lot you visited. Many times, though, this scenario describes the way homeowners find a plumber -- they look in the phone book and call the plumber with the largest ad or the first one listed. But much like purchasing a car, finding a qualified plumber requires research and comparison-shopping.


Ask For a Free Quote
Invite plumbers to look at the job and ask for a quote in writing. In the quote also ask them to specify the time it will take to complete the job. It's difficult to try and live in a house with a broken toilet, clogged drain, leaky faucet or something more major like no hot water or flooding due to broken pipes. Make sure the contractors are quoting on the same specifications.

Execute a Contract
Execute a contract specifying the work to be done, total cost, payment schedule, start date, and
estimated completion date. Make sure the contract includes the brands and hardware that will be used in each location. In addition, make sure the contract specifies that the plumber is responsible for cleanup and the removal of trash and materials from the job site.


Things to Look For in a Qualified Plumber

There are a number of qualifications that can set a professional plumber apart.


Insurance - Be sure that the prospective plumber you are considering is fully insured.
Your selected plumber should be able to provide you with a copy of his or her insurance policy.

Better Business Bureau - Contact your local Better Business Bureau to find out if any
complaints have been filed against your potential candidate.

Use review sites Check www.AngiesList.com, www.Kudzu.com or www.Yelp.com to name a few to see what others have to say about the company. If a plumber has good reviews then it's a good chance they will do good work for you too.

Safety Commitment Accidents can happen with almost any home improvement project. So ask your prospective candidate what steps he or she will take to prevent injuries and property damage. Again, if a plumber is good at his work he or she will be able to answer this question with ease.

Clean Up Ask the plumber how he or she intends to leave the work area once the job is completed. You dont want to be cleaning up after a plumber for hours after theyve left your home.


Tips...

* Small business plumbers will be much more affordable because their overhead is lower.

* If it's a big job, ask a number of plumbers and discard the cheapest and most expensive
options. The cheapest will have underestimated and will sting you for it later and the most
expensive doesn't really want your business, probably because they have more work than they can handle.

*Look for a plumber that has been in business for a long time. If they were dishonest or didnt do good work, then chances are they would have been out of business long ago. This also means theyll be around in the event you need any warranty work performed.

*If green is important to you, find a certified green plumber that participates in sustainable plumbing practices. This is a unique certification whereby the plumber learns how to perform his/her job by saving water and energy. They are trained in topics that include climate care, water care, solar hot water, efficient technology, and inspections.

Conclusion:

Dont let choosing a plumber become a daunting task. Not all plumbers are created equal, and while all plumbers may be able to handle simple jobs such as drain cleaning or toilet repair, some local plumbers may not be able to handle larger more complicated work or projects.

Make sure you do your due diligence using the steps outlined above. This will insure you contract the right individual or company for your needs and avoid getting ripped off by paying more than you have to. This will also enable you to be reasonably certain that the work ethic and customer service is at a high standard.

The steps in this report can be taken by any business or homeowner to ensure the work they are having performed on their plumbing system is met competently and responsively by a professional who meets or exceeds the needs of their customers.

Once you find a plumber that adequately meets your needs, you can develop an ongoing business relationship with them. Getting to know your plumber builds a relationship of trust and may even lead to more responsiveness to an emergency situation that may require immediate attention.