Important Things To Keep In Mind When Hiring A Plumber | Schertz, TX
One of the best things you can do when you need a plumber for your home or business is to make sure you are hiring a professional who is certified, licensed, insured, and properly prepared to work on your project. Because even the smallest misstep can generate leaks that could seriously damage your Schertz, TX home’s structure, requiring costly repairs. In many cases, homeowners put off calling a plumber until they are quite literally ankle-deep in sewage, but it is important to remember that maintenance is the most important part of owning a home. Because of this, it is essential to invest some time searching for the best plumber available in Schertz, TX. This way, you can be sure you will always have a high-quality professional on hand when your home’s plumbing decides to play a dirty trick on you.
The object of this article is to help you find the best plumbing professional available in Schertz, TX, so you can have any plumbing job done correctly the first time, and every time you are in need. So, read on to find out everything you need to know about finding and hiring the best plumber for your home or business.
Ask About Certifications and Licenses
So, you’ve done your research online, asked your friends and family, and even looked through your local yellow pages and now have a long list of plumbers that seem to be able to take on your project in Schertz, TX. Before you hire anybody you should talk to each one and ask a few important questions, the first of which should be about their certifications and licenses.
A plumbing license is normally granted by the state to a plumbing professional who has completed a certain number of requirements for training and time working in the field. A certified and licensed plumber will always know and stay updated on the regulations that apply to your project, zoning codes, and best practices. Always ask to see a plumbing contractor’s license and make sure it is current. Don’t just trust their word, make sure you see the actual document. It has happened that people simply assume a contractor is licensed, but there have been occasions in which the plumber in question doesn’t have one, which can result in shoddy work, and damages you don’t need or want, which is why it is worth the few minutes it will take to ask.
Ask About Their Time in Business
One of the best signs of reliability and good work in any plumbing business is the number of years they have been in the field. The longer a plumber has been in business, the easier it is to prove how successful they are. This is because they have a long history and track record in quality and reputable work. This is not to say that a new plumbing business is not good at all, just that they may lack the experience and track record they need to prove they are the best in the field. So, never hesitate to ask about a plumbing professional’s time in business, just to make sure you are, in fact, hiring the best contractor for the job.
Another benefit about having been in business for a long time is that the more they’ve been working for others in your community, the easier it will be for you to get references for the quality of the work they perform. People are always happy to tell you all about their experiences with contractors, both positive and negative, so hiring a plumbing professional that has been around for a good while, is possibly one of the best things you can do.
Is the Estimated Cost All You Have to Pay?
Most, if not all, plumbing companies will provide a free estimate to their clients before taking a job. In order to perform this estimate, the plumber will usually visit the customer’s home to take a look at what needs to be done. Once everything has been properly visualized, the contractor will provide a quote. The amount quoted usually includes the cost of labor, any necessary parts, and could factor in a contingency fee to cover any possible issues that may come up during the performance of the work. Make sure you request a detailed quote in writing.
Never allow any plumbing contractor to quote an estimated cost of your job without even taking a look first. The reason for this is that without looking at what needs to be repaired, it is almost impossible to give an accurate price. If the contractor is adamant about quoting a price without a visit, make sure you ask what exactly it includes. Otherwise, you may end up paying much more money than what was originally estimated. Even worse, the job may be carried out using cheap parts and shoddy labor, so always make sure you ask about any doubts you may have about the estimated cost.
Is Labor Charged Hourly or at a Flat Rate?
Once the plumber has provided a detailed estimate you will have time to study it. The next question you should ask will then be whether labor is charged hourly or you have been quoted a flat rate. Keep in mind that most contracts will include a clause that says you are responsible for paying any costs necessary for finishing the job. In what refers to the cost of labor, a flat rate will cover this item regardless of how long the job takes. On the other hand, if you are charged by the hour, the final price you pay can change depending on how long it takes the contractor to finish the work. Keep in mind that it can be less than the original quote, but it also might be more. This can become a problem if the plumber runs into any issues that extend the expected time it can take to complete the job, so make sure you are clear on that aspect before you hire the plumbing company to do the work.
Get More Than One Estimate
It is common knowledge that the cost of any plumbing work exerts a large influence on the decision to hire a certain plumber, just as it happens with everything else. Just as you would shop around for a new microwave oven, you should do the same when you need a plumber in Schertz, TX. Request quotes from at least three different contractors, keeping in mind that the more complicated the work is, the more quotes you should get before you decide who you will hire, to ensure you are getting a good deal. Beware of contractors that quote prices that are much less expensive than the rest, because they could be using low-quality parts and shoddy labor, which means you could end up in even deeper water than you originally were.
Don’t forget to ask about any available discounts or promotions because they are usually a great way to shave a few extra dollars off the final price. Most contractors usually offer discounts for seniors or members of the military, so don’t think twice about asking.
What Payment Options Are Available?
A good rule of thumb is to never pay the total cost before the plumbing job has been finished, so make sure you ask the plumber what payment options are available to you. In most cases, the plumber will ask for a certain percentage of the estimated cost upfront in order to buy any materials that will be needed to get the work underway. After that, they will probably require you to pay an additional percentage of the total as different items of the job are completed, this ensures the work progresses on a per goal basis, which is a good way to motivate the plumber to finish the work faster, especially when labor is charged per hour.
Another good payment option, especially for larger projects, is on a weekly basis. At the end of each work week, the plumber will tally up all the work done during the week, which should be paid. This also encourages the contractor to work faster in order to make more money. The more the contractor works, the more they will get paid. If the work slows down, their payment will be lower. Regardless of the options, you are presented with, keep in mind that all payments should be finalized by the completion of the project.
Will the Contractor Do the Work or Will They Send Somebody Else?
It is common to assume that the plumbing contractor you speak to during the visit to your home, and who provides the quote will be the one performing the job, but you might be wrong, and they may send somebody else to do the work. The problem is that you may not know this until the job starts, and it is highly unlikely you have been able to verify their credentials. To prevent any issues with contractors you’ve never met, always ask the plumbing professional who you spoke to originally whether they will be performing the job or will it be somebody else. If somebody else, make sure to ask about their experience and qualifications. The contractor will be happy to provide the information you need to set your mind at ease. If, by chance, you don’t feel comfortable with the qualifications of the other professional, don’t feel you have any obligation at all to work with that plumbing business, and you are free to look for somebody else to do the job. The main goal is to produce the results you desire without making you uncomfortable, so choosing another company is your right.
Does the Quote Include Cleaning Up After the Work Is Completed?
When it comes to plumbing work, homeowners tend to assume that the contractors will clean up after themselves when the job is completed, but this is not always the case and you may end up with an unexpected mixture of dirt, mud, old parts, chunks of sheet rock and other junk that you will have to remove from your Schertz, TX, home. While it may sound weird to you, never assume this will be the case and ask the contractor whether they have included the cleanup process in the estimated cost. In some cases, they may charge an extra fee to clean up the work site, but you will be very happy to pay it when you realize just how messy the job can be. Just make sure you ask about it so you don’t end up with an unpleasant surprise and a pile of junk to clean when all has been said and done.
What Happens If the Contractor Damages Something?
Any reputable plumbing contractor will try to finish the job without any issues, but sometimes accidents happen and things can break. This means you should always have all your bases covered, so ask your plumbing professional what kind of warranty applies to the work they will perform for you. Each plumbing company has a different warranty, so make sure you ask as many questions as you think are necessary to gain complete clarity as to what the warranty entails, and request it in writing. Also, don’t forget to ask the contractor for proof of insurance. All plumbing contractors should carry a general liability policy as per the law, so make sure you see it. If the contractor refuses to provide a warranty on the work or show you proof of insurance, you will want to look for somebody else to do the job.
Deciding Which Plumber to Hire
Now that you’ve gone through all the important factors you should consider before hiring a plumber in Schertz, TX, it’s time to call bluefrog Plumbing + Drain of San Antonio. As the foremost plumbing company in the area, we take pride in our work and the satisfaction of each of our customers, so don’t think twice and give us a call today!
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