5 Questions to ask before hiring a Plumber in 2022
by Tibu S.
Master Plumber, Brazos Home Services
Do you pull your permits?
Are you licensed?
Are you insured or bonded?
How do you charge?
How do you clean up after the job?
Are you planning to hire a plumber in Kingwood Texas? As a smart consumer, you are going to do your research before trusting someone into your home and work on your property. This step is essential to protect your property and to make sure you hire the right professionals. So before you get stuck with a job half complete or done with low-quality parts, here are a few questions your plumber to help you get started.
DO YOU PULL YOUR PLUMBING PERMITS?
If your job requires a plumbing permit, this question is essential. If you are renting or planning to sell your property, you want to keep a record of this if something were to raise a flag during an inspection.
For large jobs always hire a licensed plumber first. We have seen too many situations where a handyman comes in and starts a job they cannot finish because of permits. As a result, you could be stuck with a fine from the city, paying for the handy work, and then a bill from the professional plumber to get the job done right.
ARE YOU LICENSED?
Believe it or not, but plumbing requires a license. Here in Texas, the Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners is the regulating body and issues cards for each rank. They start as an apprentice, Tradesman, Journeyman, Master, and Responsible Master to own/operate a business. The water supply system in our home is something we should not take for granted. If the Supply lines are not correctly installed and protected, it can lead to contamination or dangerous leaks. If your system does not Drain or Vent correctly, you could be stuck with a messy situation. Hiring someone without proper training (licensed) could create a severe health problem and possibly damage your property.
Do you rent or sell properties?
Get the job done right the first time. Licensed plumbers working for a Responsible Master Plumber in Texas are required to stay up to date with local codes and understand how to install a system correctly. If you are renting or selling property with work improperly installed or without permits, you could be stuck with fines or legal issues with your tenants if it is discovered that corners were cut on the system. Hire a professional, protect your tenants, protect your business.
ARE YOU INSURED OR BONDED?
Insurance is an essential product in our economy. In a plumbing context, insurance helps to protect both the consumer and the business in the event a faulty installation causes damage to your property. Without insurance, you could be stuck with the bill, and water damage from an uncontrolled leak is not something you build into a budget it is something that requires insurance. Ask a plumber about coverage.
HOW DO YOU CHARGE?
Take your time to understand the answer to this question. You could have a great first impression, but the pricing conversation can be stressful for all of us, so take your time. It is an excellent opportunity to understand the business and their pricing philosophy. So let’s take a moment to explain what you will encounter.
Typically you will be given two answers. The old standard, Time and Materials (T&M) or Flat-Rate, also known as "Upfront Pricing" or “Contract Pricing.” Each has their place in this business and here are some details to be an informed consumer.
Time & Materials
You will know the final price of the project after the project is complete. Of course, most experienced professionals will be able to give you an estimate of how long it will take and the materials required.
What to ask:
Ask for a worst case scenario and how much that would cost.
What materials if any are included in the estimate.
Can I (You/Homeowner) supply the materials?
Will the plumber require additional trips to a supply house? Is the time for these trips included in the price?
These questions will help set expectations between you and the plumbing business. You will understand the scope of the job and understand what to expect if you are on a budget. An experienced professional will be able to answer these questions and manage expectations.
Flat-Rate
After a diagnostic survey, you will be provided a TOTAL price for the job. You will know up front how much you will pay regardless of time or trips to a supply house.
What to ask:
How much time do they estimate it will take to complete the job?
What materials if any are included in the estimate.
Can I (You/Homeowner) supply the materials?
Are there any situations that could cause a rebid?
Since you will likely receive multiple bids, go ahead and ask how much time they expect the job will require. This question will give you a benchmark to use to compare with a proposal with Time & Materials. Although, a flat-rate bid is an "Upfront" price there are unique situations where a job may need to be re-quoted. Jobs that require digging are such examples.
HOW DO YOU CLEAN UP AFTER THE JOB IS DONE?
Our business and work can be messy. Perhaps we are germaphobes, but an often overlooked aspect of our work is sanitation. In our industry, we encounter bacteria, toxins, and of course waste. Being clean is not as simple as picking up after ourselves and being organized. Proper sanitation is critical in our line of work. Since we have several calls on any given day, we ensure that we wear shoe covers in homes, wear protective equipment, sanitize our work area and any door handles we touch once the job is done. Before starting work at another client's house, we wash and sanitize our hands, clean our shoes, and change clothes when necessary. We are committed to this business, and our clients and employees health and safety is our highest priority.
Join the conversation
What are some other questions you ask? We are always learning and getting better from your feedback and experiences. Comment below and share some of your tips.
Here at Brazos Home Services, we work with the best quality materials available for our clients in Kingwood, Humble, & Atascocita. Although we are sure you love having us over to fix these issues, we understand that not every plumbing issue requires a call. Of course, you can still give us a call, but following our consumer guides can help minimize the chances of an expensive plumbing repair. If you have any additional questions, please don’t hesitate to give us a call or send us an email.
281.409.9799 or WeFixit@BrazosPlumbing.com
281.409.9799 or WeFixit@BrazosPlumbing.com
