Is your tap dripping? Are you dealing with low water pressure? Every household requires the services of a professional plumber, capable of repairing all kinds of defects, maintaining plumbing systems, as well as installing pipes, water heaters, and other elements.
Nevertheless, not all local contractors are as trustworthy as they claim to be. In contrast, the market is overwhelmed with dishonest, unqualified plumbers that you need to stay away from.
When looking for a Spartanburg plumbing company, these are the top mistakes to avoid in process of selection.
Not conducting proper research
Failing to conduct proper research is an initial mistake most homeowners tend to make when looking for a residential plumber. Although personal recommendations are considered valuable, taking the word of your neighbor or close friend may prove detrimental without researching the provided references. It’s paramount not to trust personal recommendations blindly and hire plumbing contractors without inviting them for an interview.
Moreover, you are encouraged to check the credentials and experience of the recommended plumbers by taking a look at their business sites. The online reviews are indispensable in the process of assessing the competence and professionalism of candidates as well.
Numerous homeowners post their experience in using plumbing services in the form of online reviews, hence providing potential clients with assistance in their choice of plumbers. Sparing a little of your precious time on checking online reviews will prevent you from making a costly mistake.
Not asking to see proof of license
Another common mistake homeowners commit when hiring a plumbing company is neglecting the license. Most states oblige plumbing contractors to obtain a license so as to abide by the state laws, which differ in each state. However, the largest part of clients overlooks the license requirements, focusing solely on the experience and equipment of plumbers.
Therefore, you’re strongly advised to ask for proof of valid license in the course of the first-round interviews. Most plumbing companies post their licensing number proudly on their sites in order to persuade potential clients in their credibility. Keep in mind that such a license verifies the expertise and skills of contractors, tested through a challenging exam. Click here to check out the challenging path of becoming a journeyman plumber.
Neglecting insurance
Hiring an insured plumbing contractor is of essential importance when looking for such services. However, most homeowners overlook the significance of this aspect, without realizing the consequences of hiring a company that provides no insurance. The contractor is required to provide general liability insurance that covers the cost of accidental damages to the property, caused by plumbers in the course of work.
In addition, plumbing companies are obliged to provide bonding, which offers financial protection whenever the work of plumbers fails to meet clients’ expectations. Such scenarios are possible when these professionals fail to meet the local plumbing codes or leave projects incomplete without providing any explanation.
Ultimately, plumbing companies are expected to provide workers’ compensation insurance for their employees. Such insurance is essential in the event of personal injuries, sustained by plumbers while working on projects. Hiring a company that pays for no such insurance makes you directly responsible for covering the costs of workplace accidents.
Overlooking references
Not asking for references is yet another frequent mistake homeowners make when hiring professional plumbers. At the initial interviews, potential clients rarely ask contractors for a reference list, despite its tremendous importance in reputation assessment. Some homeowners are embarrassed to inquire about references, while others simply neglect the significance of this aspect.
Nevertheless, make sure you receive a list of references with the names and contact information of previous clients. It would take you no more than half an hour to get in touch with all the homeowners on the list in order to discuss the professionalism and service quality of candidates.
Furthermore, you are also encouraged to check the rating of local plumbers at the website of the Better Business Bureau (BBB), which provides unbiased information about the reputation of contractors in one’s community. The BBB enables customers to file complaints against local businesses, which are available for website visitors to inspect. The following link, https://money.howstuffworks.com/better-business-bureau1.htm, explains the essential role of the Better Business Bureau.
No signed agreement
Getting no written agreement is one of the worst blunders of homeowners looking to hire plumbing services. After discussing the most crucial details of the project, most clients take the word of plumbers for granted, with no doubts regarding their integrity.
Nowadays, there is a myriad of unscrupulous plumbers in the market, whose word cannot be trusted. These workers avoid signing a written agreement due to the high likelihood of complaints by dissatisfied homeowners. In order not to hire a dishonest professional, you are strongly advised to sign a written agreement, which encompasses the arranged deadline, the project price, and the provider’s refund policy. Such an agreement provides protection in the event of legal disputes, incurred by a breach of contract.
Not checking the working hours
Another frequent mistake that individuals commit when hiring such services is assuming that all plumbers operate in the same business hours. For instance, not all plumbing companies provide homeowners with emergency 24/7 services.
Therefore, make sure you check the business hours of candidates before making the ultimate choice. Keep in mind that hiring an around-the-clock provider indicates immediate assistance in the event of plumbing emergencies, which might take place during the night or at weekends.
Choosing the cheapest contractor
Many homeowners make the mistake of hiring the lowest-cost residential plumber in the hope of not splurging much money on such services. Nevertheless, the cheapest providers in the market either lack the required experience or provide substandard services to clients. Instead of paying less for the project, you’ll probably end up paying a fortune for repairing costly defects, incurred by low-quality services.
Bottom line
Beware of the above-mentioned mistakes when looking for a plumber.
Believe no empty promises, only proof of quality and experience!