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What to Look For in a Plumber

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Having a plumbing problem in your home can be a huge source of stress in your life, but in order to get it fixed, you’re going to have to hire a plumber, which is also a daunting task. You don’t want just anybody working in your home, and everyone has heard horror stories about people who received a poor plumbing job and had to go through a mountain of headaches (and money) to have the problem fixed. If you know the right questions to ask and the things to look out for, you’ll never have to worry about becoming one of those horror stories. Here is a quick guide of what to look for in a plumber.

 

Are they licensed?

This is one of the first questions you’re going to want to ask. Almost every state requires plumbers to have some form of a state license. If you live in a state that requires licenses and the plumber you’re looking into doesn’t have one, that’s a red flag! A plumber should be able to show you evidence of their license, so feel free to ask.

Are they insured?

“Are you bonded and insured” is another very important question to be asking a potential plumber. Any time someone is doing work in your home, you want to make sure they have insurance coverage just in case anything goes wrong, like damage or injury. These days lots of plumbers will have their insurance information listed on their website, so that it’s easy for potential customers to find.

Do they specialize in the problem you’re having?

Lots of plumbers will have particular areas they specialize in, like blocked drains, burst pipes, or dripping taps. It’s a good idea to try and look for a plumber that specializes in your problem. This means that they will have dealt with similar situations many times before and have plenty of good experience. 

Who will be doing the work?

It’s not always the case that the first person you talk to when looking for a plumber, or the person whose name is on the van, will be the person who actually does the work of fixing your problem. Plenty of plumbers have employees, helpers, or subcontractors who might be the ones coming out to your house, and if this is the case you might want to ask for some more details about that person, such as their experience and credentials.

What are the details of the price estimate?

A price estimate is a very necessary thing to get in the process of choosing a plumber, but be wary of anyone who is willing to give you an estimate without first taking a look at the issue to be fixed. A trustworthy plumber is going to want to assess the situation before offering you a quote. However, you should be just as careful of plumbers who are unwilling to give you a straightforward estimate as you are of plumbers who are too quick to offer one. A plumber who won’t be upfront about their rates or a quote is not someone you want to work with. The most important thing to look for is transparency. You should also be asking if the rate is hourly or fixed, and if the estimate includes both the cost of labor and of any new parts that might be necessary. The answers to these questions will help you avoid any surprises when the bill comes in.

How are their reviews?

One of the best indicators of a good plumber is to see what previous customers are saying about them! These days it’s easier than ever to look up a plumber online and see what their reviews are like. If you’re seeing a consistent string of dissatisfied customers, especially if they all have similar complaints, that’s a big problem. Conversely, if they have a lot of good reviews about excellent customer service and repairs that are working wonderfully, that’s a good sign that the plumber will do quality work for you as well.

 

Choosing a plumber can be very difficult, but armed with the knowledge of what you need to look for, it’s easy to find one who is reliable and capable. If you’re in need of plumbing services in the Allentown area, contact Schuler Service today! We are the go-to plumbing service in Allentown with nearly 100 years of experience.

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