Master Rooter

Did you know the US plumbing industry is worth $134 billion? With such a vast industry, though, it can be difficult to know where to begin when you’re choosing a residential plumber. How can you know you’re making the right choice? What should you even look for?

Luckily, we’re here to help you learn all about it. Read on for the complete guide to finding a plumber.

Conduct Thorough Research

Before you make any calls, hop online and conduct a quick search to find options for plumbers in your area. Taking a few minutes to do this before you start making calls can be a great help, as you can also check their website to make sure they offer the service you need.

Most plumbers offer free quotes, so you’ll be able to set up a time for them to visit your home.

Ask the Right Questions

When they come to assess the problem and give you a quote, you should also be sure to ask them as many questions as you need. Here are a few you can use to get started:

• Do you have a specialty?
• Are you licensed and insured?
• Do you offer a warranty?
• Do you have any references I could speak with?
• Can I have a breakdown of all your fees?

These are a great place to start, but there are a lot more questions you can ask. If you need something special done, you can also ask about the specifics of that repair and the potential timeframe they have surrounding it.

Check Their Credentials

Once you’ve spoken with a few plumbers, it’s time to make sure they mean everything they said. You can do this with a quick scan of their website, and also by looking up their license. Every state requires a plumber to have their license before they can work anywhere.

Regardless of how trustworthy you think a plumber is — or how cheap they are — it’s important to make sure they’re both licensed and insured. If you ignore this step and something happens while they’re on your property, it could mean more money spent in the long run.

How Professional Are They?

Do you trust the person you’re speaking with? Do they put you at ease, or do you just feel stressed whenever they speak?

If your immediate thought is, “I don’t want to work with this person,” then you should move on. It’s important to only hire people you trust and get along with, otherwise, you probably won’t be happy with the end result.

If you feel like they prioritize you as a customer and have an organized way of working and communicating with you, then that might just be the plumber you’re looking for.

Do They Fit In Your Budget?

While budget isn’t the most important thing you should worry about during your search, it is something you need to keep in mind. You should always check the price that each company offers you before making a final decision. Be sure to get an itemized quote from them with a breakdown of each expense.

This is going to help ensure you’re getting the best deal without jeopardizing the quality of work you receive. On the other end, you shouldn’t ever hire a plumber that can’t answer the questions you have about their rates and charges.

Also, if they want you to pay upfront for their services, that’s a red flag. They’re more likely to promise services that seem like a miracle, but the truth is that they’re not always trustworthy.

Look at Their References

Reading online reviews is important when you’re shopping, but it’s even more important when you’re searching for certain home services. Remember, no professional plumbing company is going to have any viable reason to hide their reviews from you.

You can also ask for references when you meet with them. With these references, you’ll have the opportunity to contact those who have actually received services from this business, and they’ll be able to tell you whether or not they’re worth your time and money.

It’s also smart to ask how they felt about the money they spent. Did they think they were charged fairly? Do they feel the services they received were worth it all?

Taking the time necessary to make these calls is a great way to set your own expectations and to make sure you’re avoiding potential scams.

Get Plenty of Quotes

Finally, get plenty of quotes. Don’t rely on just one or two to help you make a final decision. You should get a minimum of four, but you can always go with more if there are a lot of options in your area.

Remember, the more quotes you have, the more confident you can be with the choice you make in the end. It’s also going to be a lot easier to find a company you’d like to work with long-term since you won’t ever have to wonder about the type of experience you’d have with their competition.

Take Your Time When Choosing a Residential Plumber

The most important thing to remember you’re choosing a residential plumber is that you shouldn’t rush the process. It can be tempting to just select the first option you see, but you’d be making a mistake. Keeping these tips in mind throughout your entire search can be a big help, though.

Luckily, we’re here to help whenever you need it. With 24-hour emergency services and locations throughout Idaho, Master Rooter has you covered. Contact us today to get started.