Most home and business owners don’t look into plumbers until they are desperate for one. The toilet is overflowing, the basement is flooded, the shower drain is clogged, the sewer is backed up, or the water heater is busted. In a panic, many people choose the first New Haven plumber that they can find who is willing to come immediately. It’s a good idea to have a go-to plumber picked out in advance, but at the very least, you’ll want to take a few steps to ensure the plumber you hire will live up to your expectations. Below are some tips to help you choose a fair, honest, and reliable plumber.
Get recommendations – Friends, colleagues, and neighbors are great people to ask for recommendations. Even if they recommend against a particular plumber, that can be helpful too! You can also check online reviews and look to the BBB for any complaints or recent scams.
Ask Questions – Does your plumbing company offer 24/7 emergency service? Is there a charge for travel time? Can you provide references? What credentials do you have? Do you provide drain cleaning service? Which plumbing services do you specialize in?
Verify Proof of Insurance – The plumbing contractor you hire should have liability insurance (to protect you in the instance of failed work) and workers’ compensation insurance (to cover an individual who is injured on the job.
Hire Only Licensed Plumbers – While unlicensed workers may cost less, you take on a big risk hiring them. Plumbing work can be complicated and when done wrong it can make for a serious mess. How can you be sure an unlicensed plumber won’t leave you in a bind?
Don’t Pay the Entire Amount Upfront – It’s shady if a plumber requests you to pay in full upfront. Paying a portion upfront makes sense—after all they’ll need to purchase parts—but you should never have to pay the full amount until the job is complete and you are satisfied. Furthermore, you should consider paying with a check or credit card, so that you’ll have a paper trail should something go wrong with the repair or installation after the fact.
At Rick’s Plumbing, we hope you’ll choose us to be your go-to plumber in New Haven! Check out our website for reviews, details on our plumbing services, and money-saving coupons! Keep our number handy for anytime you stumble upon a plumbing emergency.