As with any other type of home or business maintenance, there are some risks when hiring a plumbing company to come out to your home or business and provide you with services like plumbing repairs or replacements, sewer cleaning, and other related services such as backflow prevention or tankless water heater installation. If you don't do your due diligence and screen the plumbing company you've chosen carefully, it's possible that you could end up with a sub-par job that doesn't do any lasting damage to your property or pose any long-term risks to your health and safety. It's for that reason that it's so important to look into the background of any plumbing contractor who is coming to do work at your home or place of business. In order to protect your property from faulty and/or unqualified work that could present hazards, there are certain things you can do ahead of time to make sure that the company you hire will do a good job and that their work will be up to code and safe for you and your family to use. These tips will ensure that your plumbing contractor is the right fit for the job and that you get the best value for your money.

Ask for and check a company’s license and insurance coverage.

One of the first things you should do when hiring a plumbing contractor is to ask them for their license and insurance information. Some states require plumbing contractors to have a license in order to operate legally and ensure that the work being done is up to code and safe for the public. In some cases, plumbing contractors also have to carry general liability insurance as well as work-related insurance if you are having work done at your home or business.In most cases, it's a good idea to also ask for a copy of the plumbing company's insurance policy so you can make sure it covers the type of work that they are doing at your site.

Ask for a written estimate and contract.

Another important thing to do when hiring a plumbing company to work on your home or business is to get a written estimate and a contract. This way, you'll have all of the important details about any plumbing repairs or replacements, the cost of the job, and other important information like how long it will take to complete the work and any potential issues with the project that might arise.

Don't be afraid to ask for references.

Another important thing to do when hiring a plumbing contractor is to ask for the names and phone numbers of a few past clients they've worked for. You can then call these clients and ask them a few questions about the plumbing repairs or replacements that were done, the quality of the work, and the overall experience they had with the company. You can also ask these clients if the company did any additional work or repairs that weren't included in the initial estimate.

Confirm that the plumbing contractor has the correct insurance coverage.

Finally, and perhaps most importantly, you should make sure that the plumbing company you're hiring has the correct insurance coverage. In particular, you should make sure that they have general liability coverage as well as work-related insurance. If a plumbing contractor has the proper coverage, they will be held legally responsible to pay for any damages they cause to your property and are obligated to protect you from further injury and/or financial loss if they have faulty work done at your site.

Conclusion

These are just a few of the things that you can do ahead of time to ensure that your plumbing contractor does a good job at your home or business, and that they are the right fit for the job. Remember, the last thing you want is to hire a faulty and/or unqualified plumbing contractor that ends up doing a shoddy job that leaves your home or business in worse shape than before.

Frequently Asked Question

  • Keeping the Water On During an Emergency
  • Overusing Drain Cleaners
  • Fixing Plumbing Issues on Your Own
  • Ignoring a Plumbing Issue
  • Using a Handyman Instead of a Licensed Plumber
  • Turning Off Your Heater in the Winter
  • Not Scheduling Plumbing Service
  • Have the Right Tools for the Job
  • Turn off All Water Before You Start
  • Use Natural Methods to Unclog Your Drains
  • Don't Put Trash in Your Garbage Disposal
  • Don't Overtighten Plumbing Connections
  • Don't Hesitate to Call for Help
Maintenance may also include inspection of your garbage disposal lines (and unit), dishwasher, and washing machine hoses and lines. Maintenance sometimes consists of a drain and flush of the water heater. If you've purchased a plumbing maintenance plan, read the fine print and always ask for clarification.
  • Over Tightening Plumbing Connections
  • Using Inappropriate Tape or Wrapping a Thread Tape Backwards
  • Using Drain Line Cleaners as the First Option
  • Handling Plumbing Jobs without the Necessary Spare Parts
  • Failing to Turn Off Water
  • Using Excessive Force on Valves Stuck on Shut Off