Plumbers are responsible for keeping homes and businesses safe with reliable water coming in and waste water going out. According to Gitnux, in 2021, there were 530,672 plumbers in the United States. When you're looking for a local plumber, you have many options to consider, but you may not always know where to start. A good rule of thumb is to have a list of questions ready to ask. Here are some questions you should start with.

1. Do You Have Proof of Certification?

You should always ask if your local plumber has proof of certification. Plumbing is a specialized field that requires adequate training. Different state and local regions have requirements for their certified plumbers. The last thing you want is an amateur or someone who's not properly trained tinkering around with your pipes and fixtures. If they're untrained, then they may end up creating a worse problem than what you hired them to fix. It would be a shame if a cracked pipe turned into a busted one because you had an untrained plumber working on it. If a plumber has proof of certification and training, then they shouldn't hesitate to show it to you.

2. May I See Proof of Insurance?

Make sure your local plumber shows proof of insurance. When someone is doing work on your home, anything can happen. Even the most professional plumber can have an accident that's related to the job, or they may have a health crisis. As long as they have insurance, their company will ensure they cover the cost of any related medical fees and transport. As a result, you won't be liable for any of their medical bills if they're injured or get sick while working on your property.

3. May I Have a Few References?

A verifiable reference is an invaluable way to have some peace of mind in a contractor. As long as your plumber has a qualified background, they shouldn't hesitate to provide a few references that you can contact. References can ensure that the plumber did the job that they said they would do. They can make note of whether the plumber showed up on time and if they offer high-quality work. They can also talk about the level of customer service the local plumber exuded.

4. What Services Do You Provide?

You should understand that all plumbers aren't the same. Plumbers can have various specialties that you can benefit from. There are some plumbers that may focus on piping installation. Some only do residential work, while others only do commercial work. There are plumbers who are drainage experts, while others specialize in sewer systems. There are also teams that can upgrade your water fixtures to higher efficiency ones. Make sure you understand the type of work you need done before you contact a local company.

5. How Do You Price Service?

You want to ensure that your local plumber has transparent pricing. Ask about the way they do their pricing for each service. Do they charge a flat rate for individual plumbing work? Do they charge in terms of the amount of mileage they have to drive to your property? Does it cost more money to do work on the weekends as opposed to the weekdays? Before you sign a contract with them, make sure you get an itemized list of services they plan to charge you for. That way, if you have any questions, you can review it with them so that there's no disagreement.

6. Do You Do Emergency Work?

Plumbing work doesn't always happen between the hours of nine to five. Unfortunately, your toilet may begin to overflow or your hot water may stop working in the middle of the night. If you have an after-hours emergency, try to find a plumber who can help you at any time. Even if there's a company in the area that doesn't offer emergency services, they may be able to refer you to another one who can handle that. It's important that you find an experienced company that can help you any time of the day or night to keep your home and family safe all year long.

7. How Far Are You Willing to Travel?

It's a good idea to know just how far your plumber is willing to travel. Say, for example, you have a plumber that you really like, and you want to stick with them for as long as possible. What if you decide to move somewhere else in your city? Will you be able to use that same plumber, or will you be out of their radius? What if you own more than one property in the area? Can you use the same plumber to go to different locations in the city? What if you want to refer your local friends and family to this company? Knowing how far they're willing to travel can help both you and that plumber in terms of more business.

8. What Is the Best Way to Contact You?

Before hiring a contractor, make sure you have the best method to contact them. Ask if your local plumber prefers for you to call them directly to make an appointment or inquire about problems in existing work. Some plumbers may prefer e-mail or may even utilize an online chat system. Is the plumber part of a large company where there is an office worker who does the scheduling for them, or will you be talking to the plumber directly? In the case of an emergency plumber, make sure you have the best direct phone number. If you have any questions before, during, and after they complete any work on your home, then it's important to have a number to contact them and get a quick response.

9. How Early Can I Schedule Services?

Some plumbers can begin working quickly after you make an appointment. However, some may be booked up due to high demand. It's a good idea to get a sense of your local plumber's schedule to see how far in advance you need to book their services. If they seem to be too busy, then you may have to move on to someone else so that you can get plumbing services done on your site as soon as possible. Make sure you ask this question before hiring any team to ensure you can get the services you need when you need them. You don't want to wait to get any kind of plumbing services.

As you can see, you have many questions to ask a local plumber before hiring them. Make sure you understand the type of services that they provide and when they're available. Always check that they have the legal certification to do plumbing work in your home or business. Give yourself peace that they also have health insurance in case something goes wrong. Remember, plumbing is intricate work that helps to keep your home and business safe and thriving with an available source of water to drink, bathe, clean, and so on. Make sure you do your due diligence and find the right local plumber for you by calling our team today. At Holt Plumbing Company LLC, we offer various plumbing services, so give us a call today!