Bad plumber? Good plumber? How can we tell the difference? The fact is, bad news travel much faster than good news. In most cases, people will share a bad experience before sharing a good one. If we’re honest with ourselves, we probably think all plumbers are the same, and we usually end up hiring someone on cost alone. Like all tradespeople, some take great pride in their work. Then there are others who strickly work for the almighty dollar. Everyone has their own idea of what a good plumber should look like. For instance, some homeowners might think a good plumber will answer their business phone come to the job site well-groomed and well-mannered. A fast response time is important for many home and business owners.
Take The Few Extra Minutes To Find A Good PLUMBER
The first place most people search before jumping online is with a friend or neighbor. While that may work, you’ll still want a plumber with a track record of consistency. At best, ask for a contractor’s license number and website address. That way you can complete a minor search, gathering a few reviews to see what others are saying. We are well aware that we should no longer be in the dark ages, including one’s reputation. We have Google My Business, Yelp, and Facebook, to name a few that will give you the “411” on almost any plumber that provides transparency.
Your Plumber Must Have A Contractor’s License
Here are some no-brainers when hiring a plumber for your job. Number one, and without question, your plumber must have a license. You can check on the status of a license by going to the Department of Consumer Affairs State License Board (CSLB), type in the license number of the plumber or plumbing company you decide to hire for your job. The CSLB will provide you with essential business information such as name, address, phone, and corporation information. Additionally, the CSLB will provide you with license status, license classification, as well as insurance information which includes insurance, bond, and workman’s compensation information.
Being a good plumber or plumbing company is only part of the equation. Ensuring your plumber is adequately covered by insurance is one more step to being a good plumber or plumbing company. For example, suppose your plumber gets sent to your home from a plumbing company. They’ll need to be covered by workman’s compensation insurance.
A Good Plumber Has Experience
Nothing can replace the plumbing experience, especially interacting with the customers daily. Before becoming a contractor, your plumbing contractor must have years of experience under a journeyman plumber. There is much more to plumbing than replacing a sink or faucet. Successful plumbing companies provide plumbers with excellent communication skills and won’t leave a customer in the dark. They will effectively and patiently communicate the plumbing problem and the cost to the customer.
Plumbing Is More Than Drain Cleaning
Remember, plumbing isn’t only about cleaning your drains. First, the best plumbers will know how to diagnose the issue using the latest equipment. Then, they will give their customers options. For example, if the water heater breaks, they will give the customer options for repairing it or replacement. Finally, they will take the time to educate the customer on all their options. That means that they take the time to learn about the latest plumbing technologies to pass that information on to their customers.
What makes a good plumber:
- The plumber or plumbing company will answer their phone.
- Fast response time when called upon
- Well-groomed with a clean uniform and a business card
- A good plumber will be well mannered and well educated in the trade.
- They have excellent reviews.
- The company or individual has a nice website that represents them well.
- They have had a sex offender and criminal background check.
- Their contractor’s license and insurance is in excellent standing.
- They bring good value to the customer.
Plumbers Must Show Some Responsibility
A responsible plumbing company will answer their phone. Some plumbing companies offer emergency services 24/7 and answer their phones around the clock, while others let them go to voicemail. If a plumber or plumbing company cannot make arrangements to have their phone answered during working hours, then you should eliminate them from the list of plumbers. Along with being a responsible plumber, they will show up to the job site with a clean uniform representing their company. Also, they should have up-to-date tools and equipment to maximize their time to bring their customer the best value and plumbing experience.
Hi there! For almost a week now, some of the pipes in my basement have been leaking albeit mildly. Thanks for reminding us to only rely on a certified plumber with vast expertise to handle our plumbing issues. I’ll hire someone reliable to fix the leak as soon as possible.
I’m glad when you said that an important aspect of being a professional plumber or plumbing firm is ensuring that your plumber is appropriately insured. The pipe in my kitchen is leaking and smelling and my mom told me to call a plumber for help. I look forward into hiring a professional plumber to help me fix my pipe or sewer problem. Thanks so much for the article!