Plumbing emergencies are stressful. You want to be sure that the plumber you hire is someone who knows what he’s doing, and 10 questions can help you figure out if he does or not. The 10 questions to ask a potential plumber below are designed to help you find a good plumber for your plumbing needs.
10 Questions To Ask A Potential Plumber
1) What kind of training do you have?
Most states require licenses for commercial plumbing work, but many jurisdictions also require licenses for residential work as well. Make sure the plumber or plumbing company has both types of licenses before hiring him! You can also check your local state plumbing license requirements.
2) How long have you been in business?
Be aware that just because a plumber says “I’ve been in business 10 years!” does not mean he is legitimately qualified to do the job. The 10-year claim may be an exaggeration, or it might represent 10 years since he installed a bathroom sink without ever having received any training on proper installation techniques or code compliance. Here are some additional questions specific to this point:
3) How many years of experience do you have in this type of job?
This question gives you insight into how much training and experience your plumber has had in his career. 10 years in the industry is better than 10 months, but just because someone has 10 or 15 years under their belt doesn’t mean they’re qualified either! It’s important that your plumber knows what he is doing. You can ask him about specific jobs or houses he has worked on similar to yours to get a better idea of whether or not he will be capable of handling your plumbing needs.
4) Will I need any parts for this job?
Most reputable plumbers should carry a wide range of common plumbing parts and supplies. However, if you know ahead of time that you will need specific parts for your job (such as a 10-foot length of drainpipe or a new faucet fitting) be sure to tell the plumber so he can bring them along on his visit. You shouldn’t pay extra for needed materials, and the plumber shouldn’t expect you to provide such things unexpectedly. Discuss this question further before hiring him.
5) Do you have insurance?
This is an important question! Especially when working on commercial jobs, plumbing contractors should carry both general liability and workers’ compensation insurance to cover themselves in case they are injured at work or damage someone else’s property during the process of their work. Without insurance, the plumber may not be held responsible if someone is injured or has their property damaged by his work.
6) Do you have a license?
This question should elicit some type of response. If he says “no”, there is no reason not to look for another candidate since unlicensed plumbers can’t offer any kind of warranty or guarantees on their work. If he provides a vague answer such as “oh yeah, I’ll get it tomorrow” then this is also good reason to consider looking elsewhere. At the very least that means he has given little or no thought to getting his license and it shows that he does not take himself seriously. However, if he answers easily and truthfully with something like “yes I do!” and pulls out an identification card from his
7) Where are you licensed to do plumbing work?
Your state should require individual plumbers (and other tradesmen) to have licenses before doing work on your home. If your plumber is unlicensed and does poor quality work, it could void the warranty on any repairs he performs for you or may cause problems if you need to make a claim against them for damages after the fact. If he is licensed in another state, you may not be able to find out if he does good quality work because there may not be any guarantee available to the consumer. If your plumber is licensed in your state, then you should feel more confident that he’ll do excellent work since he’s familiar with your area.
8) What are my options for financing?
If you do not have the money for a big job upfront, there are usually alternatives available to help finance your plumbing work. In some cases, a contractor may be willing to take payment in installments or charge a 10-20% deposit and then arrange to be paid after the work is complete. Some plumbers may even offer financing options through their own banks or credit unions if they’re a member. Be sure to ask about all of these possibilities before hiring anyone, including any interest rates or fees that would apply with each payment option. Out of the 10 questions to ask a potential plumber, this one is optional because you may not require financing for your project.
9) What is your availability?
If you have a small job, the plumber may be able to make it out to your home as soon as tomorrow if he has an opening. However, many jobs take more than one visit due to unforeseen circumstances or other problems that arise. Make sure you know what kind of schedule he has and how much notice he needs if there is going to be a delay in starting or finishing your job.
10) Do we have a warranty? If so, for how long and what does it cover?
Some plumbing contractors may include a warranty with their work which covers any components they install for free during the warranty period (usually 10-12 years). This type of coverage can help ensure you do not have to pay for replacement parts or items that were not done correctly. It is important for the consumer to find out if there are any limitations of this type of warranty and what would be covered before signing a contract.
If you have any questions about the 10 Questions To Ask A Potential Plumber, please don’t hesitate to comment below or reach out to me so that I can help you with your plumbing needs!
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