An emergency plumber is a great person to have on hand. It’s not often that one needs a professional for a plumbing issue, but when the problem is serious enough, it can be a hard thing to deal with until someone comes out and takes care of it. This is why it’s important to find an emergency plumber you trust who can help you with whatever might come up from time to time.
If you haven’t found an emergency plumber yet, consider asking these 8 questions before hiring them:
- How many years have you been working in plumbing?
Experienced plumbers are to be preferred over inexperienced ones. Whether you have a leaky faucet or a more serious problem, an experienced emergency plumber will have the know-how and expertise to handle even the most difficult situations.
- What is your professional background?
An emergency plumber’s professional background should give some insight into their work experiences that might prove useful when expecting them to do their job effectively. Talk to plumbers with backgrounds in construction, home improvement, renovations, appliance repair, etc., depending on what type of service you need (i.e., hot water installation).
- Will I get charged for any call-outs after hours?
Even if it’s not considered an emergency by normal standards, if you need an emergency plumber outside of regular business hours, you should ask this question. Some companies charge extra for work done after the normal 5 pm to 8 am window, or on weekends and holidays. Unreasonable or unfair charges are a sign that further investigation is warranted with another company.
- Are you licensed?
A license is generally not required for minor plumbing jobs like fixing leaky faucets or unclogging toilets, but it certainly does not hurt to have one if the type of work will be more complex than just basic repairs. Professional licensing ensures that plumbers operate according to industry standards so as to maintain quality of service and avoid any dangerous mishaps during their work. An emergency plumber with their own license also has the liability insurance required by law in most areas.
- How long will your service take?
Some emergency situations are more urgent than others, but it is important to be realistic when setting expectations for a plumber’s visit. If you need something fixed quickly without sacrificing quality or safety, an emergency plumber should know this and be able to give you an estimated arrival time that accommodates your situation.
- Are there any additional charges I should expect?
As with regular plumbers, some charges may not apply until after work is finished- materials used might require separate payment for example. Other examples of costs that can be charged in addition to the original are disposal fees for hazardous material removal, additional time required to complete the job, mileage if they drive a truck or van, taxes (sales tax and/or VAT), etc. Any of these different charges should be discussed with you before work begins.
- Do I get a written estimate?
A written estimate that details work and prices quoted is an important tool in deciding if the services of that particular emergency plumber are right for you. Discuss any changes to the quoted price before work begins, and make sure both parties agree on costs. If you can’t pay these costs out-of-pocket, discuss with your contractor how they might be able to accommodate payment plans or some other form of payment.
- Can I see some identification from your company showing that they’re registered?
An emergency plumber should provide their credentials when asked; however, it is wise to ask for this information beforehand as well (i.e., license number) so that there aren’t any delays during the service call.
Conclusion
An emergency plumber is an important member of the community and should be capable of working effectively to provide assistance with any urgent issues that arise. Hiring one does not have to be a stressful experience; if you’re prepared and know how and when to ask the right questions, you can find a quality emergency plumber who will do their very best for your situation.