How do we hire a plumber that is not out to make a quick buck? In short, you will know if you do your research. Let me give you an example of someone out to make a quick buck. My refrigerator stopped cooling. We contacted the maker, whose phone number was listed on the inside of the refrigerator. They recommend a certified appliance repair company to work on that specific model.
Get A Second Opinion Even If You Have To Pay For An Estimate
The repairman came out to give us an estimate. He opened the door and told us we needed to rebuild the fridge, which would cost $2500. I told him to order the parts. He then promptly took my $69 for the estimate. That night I thought about it and said to myself, “That guy didn’t check anything; he never lifted a finger.” The next day I phoned the repair company and told them not to order the parts. I started calling around and scheduled a different company for a second opinion. The new technician removed the refrigerator panel and said, “You have a broken fan motor.” The cost was $250!
Don’t BE Left with regrets, Hire The Right Company
What if I allowed the first company to order the parts and rebuild the refrigerator without ever calling around? I would have been ripped off and would have never known it. To make matters worse, they would have rebuilt my refrigerator, and I probably would have given them an excellent review. I’m sure the person that gave me the estimate had good intentions, but he was looking out for himself. What caused me to rethink the order was that the technician never did a thing to diagnose the problem. He was also the technician that was going to complete the rebuild, which is a genuine conflict of interest.
Sometimes You Need To Trust Your Instincts After Gathering The Facts
So, what I did right was trust my instincts and look online for a different company that had good reviews. I called them for a second opinion. The estimate would have cost me another $69, and it was well worth it. Keep in mind that the manufacturer referred the first company we called. Another thing I would like to point out is that not all employees have their employer’s best interest at heart, especially when they’re being paid commission.
Don’t Always Go For The Cheapest Estimate
When you hire a plumber, especially for a large job, it’s best to get more than one opinion. However, most tradespeople, including plumbers, are hard-working people passionate about their careers. We also run the risk of wanting to hire a plumber with the lowest estimate. Sometimes, it’s best to hire a plumber you feel comfortable with, especially if the company has good reviews. There is no reason you can’t ask the company to price match, especially if the numbers are close.
Let The company Make It Right Before Leaving A Bad Review
Remember, we’re all mortals, and even the best companies with the best reviews will misdiagnosis a plumbing issue. We should always be a little forgiving, especially if no work was ever completed. Remember what I told you about the refrigerator? I called the first company soon after I got the correct diagnosis and talked to a manager. The manager was clearly upset and apologized for his worker’s poor diagnosis, then returned my $69. The manager never talked down about his employee but said that he would address the issue. I never thought it was worth leaving a bad review.
What Should I Look For When I Hire A Plumber?
Unfortunately, some people put personal gain above the interests of the customer. The real question is, “What should I look for when I hire a plumber or a person from a service industry, such as an electrician, carpenter, handyman, or appliance repairman?”
- A misdiagnosis isn’t always intentional.
- Don’t be quick to pull the trigger on a bad review. Allow people to make it right, especially if they have a history of good reviews.
- Some tradespeople work solely for money, while others want to be the best at what they do regardless.
- Always get an estimate, even if you have to pay for it. Most companies won’t charge for the estimate if they get the job.
- Ask the person giving the estimate if they receive a commission for selling the job. If they do, then, of course, there is a conflict of interest.
- Always look for options when your plumber is bidding on a job. For example, if your water heater is broken, listen for options for repair as well as replacement.
- If, for any reason, you don’t feel comfortable, get a second opinion, no matter who referred them.
- Check reviews – the more, the merrier. Yelp, Google My Business, and Facebook all have a place for reviews.
- Check their contractor’s license. Most home and business owners don’t know how easy it is to check a contractor’s license. Ask for their license and check it here.
- View their record on the Better Business Bureau.
Hire a plumber with a history of fair, honest pricing and excellent work. Another thing to keep in mind is that most plumbing issues need troubleshooting. For instance, if you have low water pressure, it could be:
- Faulty Regulator
- Constricted pipes
- An unseen water leak in your plumbing system
- Partially closed shut-off valve and more
Some plumbing issues may require significant work to diagnose the problem so be fair with your plumber. They cannot go to your home and diagnose the problem for nothing, which goes for many plumbing issues. If you live in Murrieta, Temecula, Menifee of the Inland Empire, call Big B’s Plumbing and discuss your issue with one of our customer care agents. Then, hire a plumber from Big B’s Plumbing. You’ll get a highly-trained technician with your best interests in mind.
I appreciate the advice about always asking for an estimate when you are looking for a plumber to hire. It seems like it would be a good idea to have several plumbers inspect your problem so that you can get multiple estimates. That way you can pick the plumber that gives you the best value and will perform good work.