- July 2, 2021
5 Key Things to Look for When Hiring a Residential Plumber
Plumbing is the life blood of your home. When things go wrong it can be a super stressful time. What is even more stressful is finding an experienced plumber you can trust to get the job done. Problems can occur at the most convenient times and general wear and tear happens as your property ages.
Plumbing needs to be fixed quickly to make sure the problem doesn’t become larger and costlier. While you’ll probably jump straight onto Google to find the nearest, most affordable plumber. You need to know what to look for and what questions to ask. Here are five key things to look for when hiring a residential plumber.
Check Credentials and Insurance
The first thing you need to find out is if the plumber is licensed and insured. This should be clearly available on their website and you can verify this by running the company name through http://www.licensedtrades.com.au/.
All plumbing contractors are licensed by the Plumbing Industry Council which is supervised by the Queensland Building and Construction Commission.
Reviews and Recommendations
Ask your friends and relatives for plumber recommendations. There’s nothing better than getting a first-hand review from someone you trust. Next, check reviews and recommendations online on the company website, on Google and on social media where they have a presence. These can be very eye-opening and give you a great insight to a plumber’s reputation.
Experience History
How long has the plumber been trading for? It’s a good idea to check the plumber is experienced enough to do the work you need. If they’ve been trading around your area for many years, it’s likely they have a great reputation for good work. New plumbers shouldn’t be written off though; everyone has to start somewhere. But just make sure they have the skillset to work on your problem.
Compare Rates with Other Plumbers
While it’s tempting to always go for the cheapest rate, try not to make a rash decision. Ask around and get estimates from three local plumbers. Don’t be afraid to ask for a breakdown of pricing e.g. labour costs, materials, travel time etc. While material costs should be the same with all Queensland plumbers, labour cost may vary due to experience.
Get a Written Contract or Agreement
Once you’ve chosen the best plumber for the job, ask for a written contract or agreement. This should include a summary of the job, materials required and costs to finish the job. It’s also a good idea to agree on a date to have the work finished by. Having everything written down, protects you and the plumber and makes everyone aware what is expected.
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