Top Tips When Hiring an Emergency Plumber

What would you do if a pipe in your house broke in the middle of the night? An emergency plumber is a must-have contact. Read the extract below to learn the various considerations to make when hiring an emergency plumber.

Reputation

Work with a qualified and experienced plumber. He or she should have the right licences to conduct business in your state. Ask friends and family to recommend reputable plumbers in your locality. Alternatively, you could conduct some social media research to know the reliability and reputation of various plumbers in your area.

Professionalism

The plumber must exhibit a high degree of professionalism. For instance, he or she should have the right tools for the job. Besides, the plumber must show sufficient understanding of his or her profession. For example, he or she should inspect your home and give a few preventive maintenance tips such as how to prevent leaking faucets and clogged pipes. 

Preferably, the plumber should be affiliated with professional plumbing associations. It is a sure way to ensure that he or she observes a strict code of conduct. The plumber should have general liability insurance to ensure his or her clients do not incur losses in case an accident happens due to their negligence.  

Terms and Conditions

Inquire about the emergency plumber's terms and conditions. Some of your considerations should include; 

Is the plumber available on weekends and holidays?

Does the plumber subcontract some of his or her work? If this happens, the plumber should ensure that they are insured.

Does the plumber provide guarantees on his or her work? A guarantee is an assurance that the plumber will conduct high-quality work.

What would happen if you had a dispute with the plumber regarding the quality of work or pricing? Work with a plumber who is ready to consider dispute resolution mechanisms such as arbitration. 

Pricing

You must understand the plumber's pricing mechanism from the onset. For example, inquire if the plumber charges per hour or if the prices are fixed. What extra charges will you incur? Some plumbers will charge a consultation fee. Besides, you might incur additional fees if you live far from the plumber's area of operation.

How will you pay the plumber? Most plumbers will give a quote and ask for a deposit before commencing any works. Always ask for a contract detailing the scope of works and the agreed payment plans. 

The primary considerations to make when choosing an emergency plumber are his or her reputation, professionalism, pricing, terms and conditions.