The Questions to Ask a Plumber Before Hiring
Plumbers are crucial professionals for society. And they impart immense values to the community.
From a broader perspective, you can regard plumbers do the planning, installing, and servicing of various plumbing systems. In addition, plumbers also service fixtures, piping equipment and control elements.
The functions of piping systems are well-known—the systems transport water and waste.
Plumbers do the following types of work:
- Measure and bend pipes using the right tools
- Estimate costs
- Determine the plumbing layout
- Spot the positions for connections and fixtures
- Bore holes through walls and floors to accommodate pipes
- Choose the type and size of pipes required
- Assemble and install valves and fittings
- Join pipe sections
- Test pipe systems for leaks
- Install an underground storm sanitary and water piping systems
You are likely to feel the need to hire a plumber to fix your plumbing work one day or the other. And, you should ensure that you hire a competent plumber as that will result in getting your job done smoothly.
If you hire an incompetent plumber, you will face negative consequences after the work gets done.
Such a plumber can aggravate the defect, and that will require the hiring of another plumber to fix the fault. As a result, you will have to spend more money on your project.
So, how to ensure that you hire the right plumber? One of the practical answers could be—to ask a few relevant questions, such as:
#1. Are You a Licensed Plumber?
Hiring a licensed plumber makes sense because they passed the necessary tests to obtain the license.
Therefore, you should confirm whether your prospective plumber is licensed before you hire him for your job.
Many plumbers operate without a license. Such plumbers pose a significant risk to their clients. And hiring a plumber without a license is likely to pose risks that can result in wastage of money.
However, the prospects of such risks are lower if you hire a licensed plumber. And such plumbers are registered with the Ontario College of Trades.
The license permits plumbers to work in a specific area by adhering to a set of guidelines and codes.
Again, plumbing work by unlicensed plumbers might fail inspections, so you need to hire another plumber to redo the job. In such a case, you will suffer losses because you have already paid for the job, and there is nothing you can do to recover the losses.
Moreover, some plumbing jobs require the plumber to carry a permit. And only a licensed plumber is awarded a plumbing permit.
#2. What Are Your Charges?
The next question to ask is about the charges of the plumber. It will let you know the cost of hiring the plumber.
The plumber should assess the expenditure to make an accurate estimation of the cost. And, you should not take any plumber’s estimate for granted that is made over the phone. Instead, you should consider the estimation made on the site.
A comprehensive estimate of the involved costs will help you avoid surprises once the job is done.
You should ensure the estimated cost comprises the cost of labor, material, and a contingency for possible risks.
Again, you should not fail to ask your plumber for any consultation fees or follow-up costs.
You should examine whether your plumber has included every single detail in the quotation list and if anything is overpriced. Moreover, check if there are any hidden charges or unclear entries.
Usually, good plumbers Brampton include everything in their quotation lists.,
#3. Are You Insured?
After shortlisting one of the best plumbers in Brampton, you should ask your plumber whether he is insured.
Nowadays, every plumbing company provides its workforce with insurance to protect them from the dangers of their job.
Insurance can also cover any unforeseen damages to your property caused by the plumbing activities of the plumber.
If you engage a plumber who has no insurance, you should be paying for medical bills and other expenses in case of any injury during the work.
An uninsured plumber will not disclose it to you. So, you have to ask him about his insurance coverage.
It can so happen that you are unconvinced by your plumber’s verbal answers. If so, you should ask him for proof of insurance.
You should ensure the plumber has at least a day’s insurance, especially if your project is dangerous.
While speaking with any of the plumbers in Brampton, you should also ask for his plumbing emergency rates because he can charge higher fees on holidays, weekends, or after business hours.
#5. Do You Offer Any Guarantees?
If your prospective plumber offers a guarantee for his work, it could be of significant value to you.
Therefore, you should ask your plumber whether he provides any guarantee for his work.
It often happens that plumbing jobs often go wrong. In such a case, the plumber needs to redo the job. In such a case, you need to pay him again for the same.
But, things can be different if the plumber offers you a guarantee. Then, you need not pay him again.
Plumbing jobs often go wrong; find out whether the plumber is confident enough to stand by their work.
Warranties offer assurance and protect your plumbing investment. Remember, only confident plumbers Brampton can provide you with a guarantee for their work.
Again, check if your plumber does routine checks after doing your job every couple of months or annually.
If your plumber offers a guarantee, ensure that he provides that in writing.
#6. What Are Your Experiences?
It is an important question. So, you should not skip it.
Remember, your plumber needs to have enough experience to determine the nitty-gritty aspects of the plumbing profession.
Therefore, you should not forget to ask him to tell you about his experiences. And that will also help you figure out whether he is the right fit for the job.
Conclusion
Hiring a plumber straight away is not a good practice. Instead, you should assess your prospective plumber by asking a few relevant questions, which will help you figure out whether the plumber is the right fit for your job.