Hiring a Plumber

Contributed by Greg Bailey

How long have you been a plumber?
How much experience have you had with my type of situation?
Is the majority of your work in repairs, remodeling or new construction?
Are you licensed or certified?
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Most trades are licensed through a state governmental agency such as a "home improvement commission". You'll need to find the agency in your state and verify that the tradesmen is, in fact, licensed and in good standing.
Do you provide drain-cleaning services, underground pipe locating, water jetting of clogged lines or video line inspection?
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You may not need all of these services, but the answers will provide you information about whether the plumber is knowledgeable and up to date on the latest procedures.
Do you work out of an office or another permanent place of business?
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A pick up truck is not an acceptable answer.
How do you price your services?
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Tradesmen such as plumbers can quote prices in three distinct ways:\0121. Time and Material - an hourly rate plus the cost of the materials (which may be marked up).\0122. Flat rate - e.g. install a garbage disposal $200\0123. Bid - tradesman provides a comprehensive quote upfront for what the charges will be which includes all labor and material charges.
What sets you apart from other plumbers?