As a homeowner, maintaining the property in good condition is important. Where it comes to plumbing work, all maintenance and repairs must be done by a professional plumber. When searching for a plumber, it is typical to come across plumbing commercials as well as hundreds of comments and testimonials detailing the different services plumbers provide on a daily basis. With a mixture of good and bad reviews, it's difficult to realise which is the best plumbing contractor for you. If you need to pick out a reliable plumber, this article will provide you information on how to make a smart choice.

Look at their previous work

Not all plumbers perform the same services. If you need your gas cooktop repaired or a new hot water system installed, you can’t hire a blocked drain plumber. Not only is it not their area of expertise but they might not end up doing a good job for you. A good plumber should be able to provide you with several references. Contacting a few of a contractor's previous customers gives you a clear sense of the general efficiency of their work. One crucial thing to discuss with other homeowners who have used a certain contractor is whether or not they completed their job on time. This detail should be included when comparing the estimates you've got. Other considerations to consider by guidelines include a contractor's willingness to commit to a budget as well as the long-term consistency and reliability of their work.

Check their licenses

You should verify that the plumber is properly licensed to do all types of plumbing work. You can only hire a plumber who has the necessary licences to safely and effectively resolve your plumbing problem. A plumbing licence certifies that they have completed the necessary training and education and can lawfully do plumbing work. Keep in mind that if you need work done on your gas systems, you must hire a gas fitter or a plumber with a gas fitting licence. In the event that something goes wrong after a licenced plumber has done the job, their insurance will cover the repair and damage. You and your plumber are also covered, and neither of you are spending money out of pocket.

Consider at least 3 quotes

Although minor plumbing jobs can be completed quickly, it is often a good idea to develop a decent lot of different options for a major job. Until making a decision, get at least 3 plumber quotes. Don't be afraid to ask a plumber for more details. This allows you to compare quotes more conveniently. For all plumbers in the same district, material costs should be approximately equal. However, labour rates range greatly from one business to the next. Remember that the cheapest contractor is not necessarily the right match for the requirements. Experienced plumbers with refined capabilities should expect to be paid extra for their services. Make sure all the plumbers are quoting for the same job and have included all their costs such as equipment cost, labour cost, post work cleaning cost etc. 

Get recommendations

When you look at the plumbing services industry as a whole, it can be a bit overwhelming. It is much easier to narrow down the search if you ask friends, family, and neighbours for advice. Ask a few questions whether they have any tips or whether they have recently hired a specific plumber. Learn about the plumbing problem they had and how the plumber fixed it. Firsthand experiences provide an ideal way to assess the level of service knowledge that a specific plumbing contractor can offer. They should not, though, be your only reference. You may also look up web reviews and recommendations from a third party. These are extremely useful, particularly if you lack a personal point of reference.

Get a written contract

A handshake deal simply isn't enough. If it is in writing, then the plumber can’t back down from delivering the project on time and within the budget. When you've completed all of your research and selected the best plumber, cover yourself by writing down the specifics of your agreement. A proper contract or a written document on paper/ email should provide a detailed description of the job to be done, the supplies needed, and the costs paid to the plumber. Find out how much a plumber costs. Schedules should be established for both the plumber's job and your payments. A permanent record of the agreement will hold all sides accountable before, during and after the job. 

Selecting the right plumbing contractor is important. Remember to follow the above steps to get the most from the money you have invested in your house/ work plumbing. Choosing the best plumbing will go a long way in ensuring that you won’t need any major plumbing services for the next couple of years.

Guest Contributor: Arth Camacho