Recipe for Creating a Long-Term Relationship with a Plumber Near You
Regardless of where you live, it is wise for you to establish a good relationship with a plumber you can trust. Chances are, as a homeowner, you will need to depend on a professional to help you escape many plumbing emergencies you might encounter in your home. So, whether you’ve got leaky pipes or a toilet that won’t flush properly, finding and keeping a good plumber in your town is essential for keeping your house running smoothly.
Reputation Is Everything
The first step is talking to your friends, your family and your neighbors about who they trust with their plumbing business. You will also want to find out who they have worked with that might not have been the best choice. A plumbing business with a good reputation for great service is an absolute must. One thing you’ll find is that people love to talk about those businesses whose customer service and ability to fix the problem are top-notch. Word of mouth is the best way to find a plumber in your area who will do the job right the first time. It’s also a good idea to ask for referrals from other professionals you’ve trusted in the past. Your auto mechanic or roofer might have an inside scoop on who the best plumbers are around where you live.
It’s always a good idea to protect yourself, regardless of what your friends and family have suggested. You will want to be sure the plumber you’ve chosen is properly licensed and carry the necessary insurance to protect you and/or your neighbors from the possibility of a plumbing disaster. The internet is a great resource to check for reviews of people who have used their services before as well. Keep in mind though, many times when people have a positive experience with a professional, they don’t always leave reviews. You will also want to call the company and find out how long they have been in business. Most of the time, it’s the newer companies that end up fading away while the companies who have been in business for years tend to be the guys you can depend on.
Get The Details
Many times when you’re in the middle of a crisis, it can be easy to forget to ask about the details of the services you’re getting. You’ll want to find out what kind of guarantee the plumber in your area offers. Is their guarantee written on the invoice you’ll receive? Another question to ask is how they quote prices to their customers. Good plumbers will want to be in front of the job that needs to be done before giving a price on what it will cost to fix it. So, be wary of any plumber that gives you blanket quotes on specific jobs without actually seeing the problem first. More often than not, there are problems that will come up during the course of the job that will drive the price up and you’ll end up paying more than you originally planned.
Compare Before You Decide
A good rule of thumb when choosing any professional to do work on your house is to interview several professionals in that area and find out what their basic prices are, what their policies are, and how they compare to each other. You may find someone who is highly recommended but their prices are not competitive with the plumber you happened across while searching the internet. You never know when you will find a hidden gem in your area who was not recommended by anyone you know.
Once you find the right plumber for your household needs, you will want to hang on to him or her for dear life. The knowledge plumbers have is very valuable for you as a homeowner. Finding a plumber in your area that you can trust will go a long way toward making your home-owning experience happy and as stress-free as possible.
Sobieski serves Wilmington, Delaware and the surrounding areas. Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC & plumbing systems).
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Image Credit: Cláudia*~Assad
