Hiring a plumber doesn’t have to be a strenuous process, but there are a few important questions that you should always ask before your plumber gets started. From inquiries about licensing and guarantees to emergency service and history of the company, here is Warner Service’s guide to asking your plumber the right questions:
Would you mind showing me your license? Most people assume that all plumbers are up-to-date on the necessary licensing and paperwork, but it never hurts to ask to see their licensing information. Having a licensed plumber will ensure that any job you have will get done properly and safely. (PS. If you’re looking for our licensing info, you can scroll to the bottom of this page.)
Do you offer a guarantee for each project? Unfortunately, accidents happen. In the event of a defective part, bad weather or another unlucky scenario, asking your plumber for a guarantee ensures that neither you, your wallet nor your home take the fall when it comes to repairing the damage. It’s a smart and safe question to ask before anything happens.
Do you offer an emergency service? (Why, yes. We do.) While you and your plumber are talking about accidents, this is a must-discuss question. Like we mentioned before, unfortunate circumstances can happen, and it’s important for your plumber to be able to respond to an emergency in a timely manner. Whether your pipes burst in the middle of the night or your toilet begins overflowing into your living room, your plumber should be able to come save the day.
How long have you been in business? While this question sounds like a nice icebreaker between you and your plumber, the answer can be very telling. The longer the plumber has been in business, the more necessary experience and expertise they have to fix an issue. Long-term businesses (like Warner Service, which turns 79 this year) also indicates quality practice, which is what every homeowner wants.
Have you ever seen this problem before? This is a great question to ask for a few reasons. Firstly, like the last question, it gives you an idea of the experience and expertise that your plumber has. If they are capable of telling you what the problem is, how it happened, how they'll fix it and how you can prevent it from happening again, you’ve got a pro. Secondly, the answer will also be able to tell you if your plumbing problem is ordinary or unusual, which is a good cost indicator.
Is it possible to provide a written estimate in advance? Remember: A written estimate is only an estimate, so you’ll get a ballpark idea of how much the service will cost. While you're on the subject, ask them if their rate is hourly. Do a little research to make sure you know what a fair time limit and/or price are for the job they need to do.
Do you trust the parts you're using? If your plumber is using the best tools possible, they'll have no trouble answering ‘yes’ to this question, and you shouldn’t have trouble bearing the cost for any excess parts. However, if your plumber is a little hesitant, it may be time to look elsewhere.
At Warner Service, we’re proud to bring the area our high level of experience, extensive plumbing and HVAC knowledge and the latest equipment for your home. We’re ready to help you with any plumbing or HVAC problem that arises, and we’re ready to answer all of these questions – and more.
If you'd like to schedule a maintenance check-up for your plumbing, contact us today.