When you are choosing a plumber, the circumstances will help dictate the best approach for selecting the plumber you can trust.
If you have a stoppage or burst pipe, you will need to decide in a hurry.
However, if you are adding or remodeling a bathroom, you need to take your time and do your due diligence.
Hands down, the best way to find a good plumber is to get a recommendation from someone you trust.
So, the first thing you should do is speak to your family, friends, or coworkers to see if they have used a plumber recently, and if so, what their experiences were.
Chances are you can't go wrong with this approach.
If you are fortunate enough to know a general contractor, they are an excellent source of information.
A good general contractor will know who he trusts and chances are you can trust them too.
But what if you can't get a recommendation from someone you know and trust? Well, then you need to start making calls or get online and start doing your research.
It's easy to search and get a list of a few candidates for the job, but how do you know you are making a good decision? One possible avenue you can take is to call the local Better Business Bureau and see if anyone has filed any complaints against the potential vendors on your short-list.
just take into consideration that not all plumbers are members of the BBB since they charge a fee to be a member.
One of the most important items is to insist on hiring a licensed plumbing contractor.
Ask the plumber for his license number to be safe.
Plumbers take their licenses seriously.
They know that if a number of complaints are filed against them, their licenses can be suspended or revoked.
You should also see if the plumber will quote you a fixed price upfront.
Get a written estimate so that you will know the total cost before any work is ever started.
Having a written estimate from a few potential vendors will help you narrow down the list by price and help you to make a wise decision.
Is there a warranty on the work? All reputable plumbers will provide at least a one year warranty on all parts and service.
Have this written on your estimate! By keeping these tips in mind while choosing your plumber, you should be able to find a good one.
Then be sure to share your experience with your friends to help them when they are in your shoes.