Need a Plumber in Dallas, Texas?
When the sink backs up or the water pipes burst, it’s important to have confidence in the plumber you call to fix the problem. We’ve all heard nightmare stories about plumbers – they show up, they say there’s a problem that will cost hundreds if not thousands of dollars to fix and the homeowner has no way of knowing if they aren’t being deceived. For this reason, it’s important to keep a few things in mind when hiring a plumber.
Six Basic Questions to ask Up Front when Hiring a Plumber
There are six basic questions that should be asked when hiring a plumber:
- Can you fix the problem?
- How much will the job cost me?
- How long will it take to finish the job?
- Are you licensed, bonded, and insured?
- When can you start?
- Where are you located?
The Importance of a Licensed Plumber
When you hire a plumber, it’s important that he be licensed. In order to be a licensed, plumbers are required to stay current on applicable codes and regulations. Regardless of whether your project is small or large, work that isn’t performed up to code can cause problems later when you decide to sell your home or if a problem occurs resulting in damage to your home and an insurance claim. When it comes time to sell your house, you may be required to spend more money to bring your plumbing up to code. Likewise, if a water leak or burst pipe results in water damage to your home, your insurer may reject your claim if it turns out that the work performed wasn’t up to code.
The Importance of a Contract when Hiring a Plumber
Contracts protect both you and the plumber. A contract stipulates the work to be performed, the cost, what happens if additional materials are needed, who will perform the work, start and finish dates, and terms for resolving disputes. Since contracts protect plumbers as well, a plumber should be more than willing to offer or sign a contract to ensure the work is performed as described for the cost quoted. Included in the contract should be a warranty or guarantee on the work performed. Don’t hesitate to question terms that seem vague or that aren’t included.
Asking for References for Your Plumber
Dependable, upstanding plumbers should be more than willing to provide you with references regarding their work. In fact, asking for references upfront is a good way to determine whether or not a plumber or a plumbing company has something to hide. Checking the Internet in this regard is also important. Today, you can type in the name of a plumbing company and the word “reviews” in a search engine an often pull up consumer-oriented websites that offer customer opinions about plumbers. While checking the Better Business Bureau can also be helpful, balancing references against website reviews and a Better Business Bureau rating can help you determine if you should go forward with a particular plumber or find someone else.
Contact Dallas, Texas Public Service Plumbers
Regardless of whether you are a homeowner or a contractor in need of plumbing services, we have the resources and experience needed to provide you with quality, dependable service. To learn how we can help you, call Public Service Plumbers at (214) 753-4633 or email us to talk to one of our experienced sales staff.
