Plumbing problems always seem to come at the worst time. But once they happen, it’s better to find a licensed professional who can quickly and efficiently. You don’t want to risk your plumbing system by fixing the project yourself. Therefore, the plumber you choose should be qualified and reputable.
There’s more to choosing a plumber than just calling up the first one you find online or in the phonebook. So today, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know to choose the best plumber near you.
Can’t I just DIY my plumbing repair?
With the abundance of videos and tutorials available online, most people consider the thought of doing home projects by themselves. Unfortunately, this idea can lead to costly problems. Here are some of the reasons why you shouldn’t DIY your plumbing fixes:
- You may not have access to proper equipment, parts, and tooling.
- You can misdiagnose the problem at hand.
- You can create new problems when trying to solve your current ones.
- You lack the knowledge and training of a professional.
- You could void the warranties on your appliances.
- You aren’t insured as a professional is and could have to pay out-of-pocket for any damages that occur.
- Your repairs could take even longer.
The above points are good reasons why you shouldn’t DIY your home plumbing projects. You could end up causing new problems that cost more money and take longer to repair. Leaving it up to the professionals is your best move.
Why shouldn’t I choose the first plumber I find?
It’s easy to open your browser, search for plumbers near you, and pick the first one from the top of the list. But this usually isn’t the best solution for solving your plumbing problem. In fact, this could lead to high bills, more problems, and longer time required for repairs.
By choosing any plumber without a bit of research behind the choice, you could face a lot of issues. For example, you could be overcharged for simple fixes, or your plumber might work without a license and could void warranties on your plumbing appliances. These are just a couple of the problems you could face.
Ways to find plumbers near me
Now that we’ve covered why it’s so important to find the best plumber for your repairs. Let’s dive into how you can find them.
Search engines
Using a search engine is one of the most popular ways to find a business near you. With a search engine like Google, you can utilize a special feature—Google My Business. This feature lets you see all types of information about a business. Not only their contact information, but you can also see reviews from other customers.
Using features like this is a great way to see a company’s online reputation. This will give you more insight into their credibility and their past work.
Personal recommendations
Another great way to track down the best plumber near you is to talk to people you trust and listen to their recommendations. This is a great way to find out which plumbers to avoid as well. If you aren’t sure who to ask, here are some examples:
- Coworkers
- Neighbors
- Family members
- Friends
Listen to their past experiences with the plumbers and draw your own conclusions about which ones you want to work with. Keep in mind there could be some biased opinions at hand, so you’ll still want to do some extra research on the side.
Talk to your local hardware shop
Your local hardware store can be a hidden gem when it comes to finding utility repair companies. They’ll often be quite knowledgeable about any local companies or contractors and can recommend which ones to work with and which to steer clear of. If you’ve found a company already, you could ask them for their opinions about the company.
What qualities to look for in a good plumbing company
When choosing a plumbing company, there are some important qualities you’ll want to keep an eye out for. This can tell you a lot about the company and give you more insight into whether you want to work with them. Ensuring that the company you work for has all three qualities is the best way to guarantee that your repairs and installations are done correctly and efficiently.
Credentials
Before hiring a company to perform any repairs or installations, ask about their credentials. You’ll want to see these, and any certified plumber will happily show you they’re legit. Here are some credentials to ask for:
- Licensing certificate
- Insurance
- Plumbing certifications
- Bonds
Without these, you are at high risk for problems. Most companies will list their credentials on their websites. Otherwise, you can ask for copies of these. Ensure they are up-to-date and active.
Customer service
How the company treats you is a significant indicator of the quality of your work. Pay attention to how they treat you over the phone and whether or not they are punctual during the initial inspection. If you notice they are rude or unwilling to answer questions, show credentials, etc., you might want to check out another company.
Good online reputation
Be sure to check out their online reputation. This is so important, and looking at other customers’ reviews will let you know a lot more about a company. For example, you can read about how other people were treated and the prices they received. If you notice a lot of complaints about the company, this is a major red flag that you should move on to a different plumbing company. On the other hand, if you notice they have no online reputation at all, this is another reason to be wary.
You can look at how the company is doing on sites like the Better Business Bureau; this is a great way to find out if the company is legit or not. For example, the company WorksPlumbing has an A+ rating on the BBB site. Of course, you’ll want to find a company with a glowing review like this one.
