Service providers and professional contractors are a necessity sometimes. Businesses rely on a number of contractors to help them continue running. Expansion may require electricians, builders, and plumbers to assist. And homeowners will use these types of skilled workers to help with renovations and remodeling.
But, finding quality workers isn’t always simple. While most businesses are run by reputable people, there are some whose work may not meet the standards you were hoping for.
If an emergency plumbing issue occurs you won’t have the time to research quality plumbers. That is why it is important to have quality plumber’s details to hand, but how do you find one?
Why are plumbers necessary?
When a pipe suddenly bursts, it can lead to flooding extremely quickly. Thousands of gallons can gush forth from a broken pipe in mere minutes. If this occurs, it will be necessary to call for professional help.
Emergency plumbers such as Sunset Plumbing of Bend provide services to minimize the damage caused by burst pipes and leaks. Fast responses from a plumber can mitigate repair costs from water damage.
Yet, there are plenty of other reasons for using professional plumbers. These include maintenance work and installation of plumbing fixtures. New homes require plumbers to install water supply systems and heaters.
And quality plumbers are necessary to ensure work is of a high standard and future problems are avoided.
How do you find a quality plumber in 2023?
The common way to find service providers today is to look online. Generally, people like to check out online reviews and consumer opinions. These can indeed be useful, but they aren’t always wholly accurate.
You could also ask for recommendations from trusted sources. This could mean family members. Business owners can ask people in their network or their peers. Besides reviews and word of mouth, there are some other ways you can use to locate a quality plumber.
Use online platforms to locate plumbers in your area
It is nearly always best to use a local plumber. Not only will they guarantee a faster response in an emergency, but their reputation will be easier to check. Local plumbers live by their reputations, and this will hopefully lead to quality workmanship and excellent customer service.
Start your search by using consumer platforms online such as these:
- TrustMark
- Better Business Bureau
- HomeAdvisor
- Checkatrade
- RatedPeople
- MyBuilder
And of course, use Google to find local plumbers. After compiling your list, you can begin whittling it down by using the following criteria.
Assess their knowledge of energy-efficient fixtures
Quality plumbers are more about just fixing leaky taps. They should know about water-efficient fixtures and energy efficiency. A plumber’s inspection should help a homeowner make changes that lead to a more environmentally friendly home. Simple changes such as insulation can make homes more energy efficient.
Ask your plumber about their knowledge of energy-efficient plumbing systems, and heaters. Energy and water efficiency are linked closely. The more water used, the more energy that is needed for delivery systems and the like.
For instance, toilets account for 30% of water usage. If just 1% of homes switched to low-flow toilets, the energy saved could power 43,000 homes.
Check emergency services availability
The first time you use your chosen plumber may be in an emergency. It is wise to check what their availability will be like during a plumbing emergency. Not all plumbers provide 24/7 emergency services.
Small independent plumbing businesses may only operate regular working hours plus some weekend work.
Ask for certification and licensing
Verify what certification the plumber holds and that they are licensed. It takes several years for plumbers to be certified and for good reason. Plumbing work requires skill and expertise. Poor plumbing repairs could lead to a catastrophic failure resulting in huge water damage. Or, poor installation of a heating system may result in a gas leak.
There are a number of different plumbing certificates available. Many quality plumbers will seek to further their skills by obtaining extra certification. Manufacturers provide certification for approved installers. And there is also certification for Master Plumbers.
State licensing and certification show that a plumber has reached a professional standard.
Customer service and responsiveness
Assessing customer service before you hire someone isn’t always easy. But, you can gauge responsiveness and communication styles. Ask questions about services and response times to emergencies to assess how communicative the plumber is.
A quality plumber should be happy to address your questions or concerns. And you should be able to build a picture of how you might be treated as a customer later on.
Maintenance and servicing
Business owners will have separate needs from homeowners. If applicable, ask about maintenance contracts, and regular servicing. Ultimately, your chosen plumber will need to be able to deliver all the services you require.
As a homeowner, you may also be interested in preventative maintenance. A plumbing inspection may reveal problems you didn’t know you had. For example, you may not spot small leaks that are causing potential problems.
There are many reasons not to ignore water damage, including potential health problems such as mold growth. Plumbing inspections will spot these, and maintenance will prevent further concerns.
Ask your plumber what kind of maintenance services they provide, and whether they carry out home inspections.
Compare quotes and estimates
Although comparing quotes won’t guarantee quality, it will help to reduce your list of potential plumbers. Any unduly high quotes should be questioned, as should any that seem too good to be true.
Look for pricing transparency. Quality plumbers will; be transparent about labor costs, and parts, and not hide any extra charges. Low quotations may be legitimate, but they could have hidden charges.
Use of technology
Smart devices are becoming more important in modern plumbing systems. Smart appliances and gadgets help to improve water efficiency making your home more sustainable. Saving water means reduced utility bills too. One of the best ways to care for your water supply is to use technology and maintenance.
Ask your plumber about their knowledge of smart devices such as leak detectors. Plumbers that stay up to date with change will be able to advise on technology to save you money. Water monitors and leak detectors help to spot anomalies in water pressure and use.
Length of business operations
One metric that may point to a quality plumber is the time they have been operating for. A business that has thrived for years points to one with a good reputation.
As mentioned previously, local reputation counts. A long-established local plumber is likely to provide quality workmanship.
And local knowledge is also important. A local plumber who has been working for a length of time will know all about building codes in your area, and other service providers. If your project needs an electrician, for instance, your plumber will be able to recommend one.
Summary
Having a plumber on speed dial for emergencies is one way to mitigate the damage done by a burst pipe. But, having a quality plumber on your phone can lead to further benefits.
A reputable plumber will ensure your plumbing project is compliant. New installations will be energy efficient. And your plumber will spot potential problems that you may have missed.
Following the advice above should lead you to finding a plumber who has local knowledge, and provides guaranteed quality workmanship. And hopefully saves you money.
