If you’re a homeowner at some point, you’ll need to hire a plumber if you haven’t already. We all have a little different approach to finding the right one. For some people, they like a referral so they will text or call friends and family. Millennials will jump on Google and type in, “Plumber near me,” then they’ll check out the reviews to find the right plumber. Some will get online and start calling all the plumbers in the area to find the cheapest one. Pinpointing the right plumber can be simple, provided you know what to look for.
What You Should Know Before You Hire The Right Plumber
Any plumbing company you hire should be licensed, bonded, and insured. Most homeowners don’t know this, but with a couple of clicks, you could have that information at your disposal. The Contractors State License Board (CSLB) has a page where you can enter any contractor’s license and get the info you need in a matter of seconds. Always ask for their contractor’s license number. The CSLB will also tell you if they have workers compensation insurance on their employees, including helpers.
In some cases, your plumber may be a contractor that works alone. In that case, he only needs a bond and insurance, but anyone working for him needs worker’s compensation insurance. If an uninsured person gets hurt inside your home, you may be on the hook. Big B’s Plumbing license #986152, check it here!
Does The Company Have Experience?
Any person applying for a license must have four years of experience serving under a plumbing contractor or contractors and be referred to CSLB. With that said, most contractors spend years working for other plumbing contractors before taking the exam. That doesn’t automatically make him or her a good honest plumber, but that’s where you can check reviews. To say, hire someone with ten years of experience wouldn’t be fair, but I think it’s safe to say it’s less likely for something to go wrong with a company with more experience. Additionally, when hiring a plumbing company, you’re hiring a team. If something were to go wrong, you have a team of experts to lean on.
What To Be Careful Of
Watch out for low bid services. When you run into a company that says, “We’ll meet or beat anyone’s prices,” or “We guarantee the lowest prices,” these are the same people that cut corners on their insurance, provide low wages to their employees, don’t offer health insurance, and don’t get involved in community events. At Big B’s Plumbing, we’re not the most expensive, and we’re far from being the cheapest. However, we don’t cut corners on our license, insurance, or our staff. Our plumbers are well paid and given health insurance. We’re also well invested in the community.
Another thing to consider, the person entering your home is a perfect stranger. Has your plumber or contractor you’re hiring ever had a background check by a third party? If so, are they telling you that, or do they have something to prove it? Any tradesperson should have had a background check before entering your home. At Big B’s Plumbing, all our plumbers have had background checks by a third party called TheSeal.com. Additionally, each plumber is given an ID badge once the background check is complete. When you need to hire the right plumber Big B’s Plumbing has you covered.
You Should Have Clear Decisive Communication
From the time you reach the call center until the job is complete, there should be clear cut communication. If you’re a homeowner and the call center isn’t knowledgeable, polite, and well-spoken, then find another plumbing company. Your plumber should clearly spell out what your plumbing issues are and, whenever possible, give you options. For example, some plumbers have one thing in mind when that water heater breaks down, and that’s to sell you a new water heater. If your water heater is less than eight years old, chances are, repairing is an option. You’ll know you have a great plumber when they give you the option for repair and gives you the costs plus the advantages of a new heater.
