Whether you have a leaky faucet, broken pipe, or simply need a new water line installed, you don't have a lot of time to spend looking for a reputable plumbing service in your area. You need the problem fixed immediately, but the last thing you want to be is up Shit's Creek without a paddle. Knowing where to start looking, and what questions to ask, can be overwhelming. Luckily, here are a few quick tips to help guide you through the easiest and quickest way to track down competent, local plumbing services in your area.
Do Some Quick Research
There are dozens if not hundreds of sites out there ready to help you track down whatever type of plumbing service you need in your area. Start with a quick web search for "plumbing services" or "plumbers" in your city and state. This should give you an idea of what local or national review and services sites operate in your area. You may also find a handful of local plumbing service websites as well.
Choose 3 of the top plumbers from all sites that you come across and write down their contact information.
Look Them Up Online
Most business today have their own website, and you can learn a great deal about that company simply by taking a quick look at their site.
Some useful things to look for:
• Services and specialties - Do they deal with basements? Support old piping? Sewage systems?
• Customer Reviews - Do they showcase customer reviews on their site? If so, are they reputable (Names, contact information, etc.) or do they appear fictitious?
• Years in Business - Did they open last year, or is this a 3rd generation Mom and Pops business? The longer they've been operating, the more likely they are a reputable service!
• Contact information and business hours - It won't do you much good unless they are only open Every 3rd Tuesday and Sunday from 8A.M. to 4P.M. Check their hours.
• Quality of their website - A lot can be said about a company when they invest in themselves. Do they value appearance? Is their site up to date? This is your initial face-to-face. Be thorough.
Give Them a Call
Once you have a few plumbers ready, and you've done all preliminary homework, call them one-by-one and find out exactly what you're dealing with. A company may look great on paper but in reality be a terrible service, so call them up and ask some tough questions.
Some great questions to ask are:
• Do you have a plumber's license? When was it granted or last renewed?
• How long have you been in business?
• Can you show me any customer reviews?
• Do you offer a warranty or guarantee on your services?
• What do you specialize in?
• Are they available immediately for a review or estimate?
Sometimes just asking some simple questions can tell you a lot about a business. Avoid asking for a quote over the phone as any plumber worth your time will need to review the problem first. It is fine to ask about their hourly rate, but it is best to discuss these things in person. If you have any additional questions, ask them once you meet face-to-face.
Making Your Final Decision
Now is the time to weigh each of the plumbing services you've reviewed. Don't just make a toss of it. Put some thought into it. If you have a neighbor, friend, or family member who you know has recently had any plumbing work done, run these names by them to get their input. When in doubt, go with the plumber who has the best reviews, quality of work (if available), and demeanor. Someone who has cheaper rates and dislikes what they do is usually not a strong indicator of a qualified plumber.