Need to hire a plumber but afraid of being taken advantage? That’s not uncommon. In fact, when most consumers become homeowners for the first time, they quickly learn about remodeling and all those extras that go with owning a house. Having to hire a plumber is just one of many, but it often brings sticker shock when the estimates start coming.
First of all, it may not even be necessary to hire a plumber. There are a lot of problems that can be done without much experience and without needing specialty tools. For instance, replacing a leaking sink faucet or unclogging a drain. But other situations like low water pressure through the entire house, a backed-up sewer line, frozen pipes, water heater replacement and no hot water are instances when you should hire a plumber, according to Dummies.com.
How to Find a Plumber
Like hiring any other contractor for a job, be it big or small, you want to hire a plumber that’s professional. And, actually does the work himself rather than farming it out to a subcontractor or an apprentice. You can ask family, friends, and coworkers for referrals. Also, inquire about what they didn’t like so you aren’t taken completely by surprise. After all, it’s best to know what to expect than just go with half the picture. This way, you’ll know if one or another is a better fit, for whatever reason. It’s just a good idea to be in-the-know as much as you possibly can.
Steps to Take to Hire a Plumber
Of course, it’s always a good idea to take recommendations from family, friends, co-workers, fellow church parishioners and neighbors. Still, you’ll want to choose wisely.
After all, per-hour costs range substantially. For basic work, you can expect to pay between $45 and $65 per hour when you hire a plumber. Specialty work and emergency calls will be considerably more, between $70 and $125 per hour. And that doesn’t include the service call fee or parts, according to This Old House. With these costs in mind, here are some more steps you can take when you need to hire a plumber:
- Check with your local Better Business Bureau. Look at each provider’s rating. And be sure to read through any customer reviews. You’re likely to discover a consensus, with a majority agreeing or disagreeing on the level of service. Plus, you’ll find interesting bits of insight.
- Check necessary legal documents. Make sure each potential service provider is currently licensed and is insured and bonded. In addition, you can search the local court records to see if there’s any ongoing or previous lawsuits and/or liens.
- Compare rates. When you hire a plumber, there’s more than just paying for time on the job. Hourly rates are charged on the job and when getting necessary parts. Most plumbers also charge a service call. And of course, if there are parts needed, that will be part of the total bill.
- Look for discounts and guarantees. If you need to hire a plumber, you already know it won’t be cheap. Look on their website for free service calls, customer discounts and any guarantees.
Response time is also important. And many plumbers will have it on their website or tell you over the phone. When you actually hire a plumber, take note of his communication skills–all of this will be useful in the future, when you again need to hire a plumber.
If you are considering buying or selling a house in Orlando’s Hunter’s Creek, or another community, contact us for the latest market information. We are local and experienced in all facets of residential real estate, here to help you, when you need it.