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There are a number of qualifications which can set a professional plumber apart. From what they specialize in to reccomendations and qualifications. While some plumbers only work on New Construction, and others on Repair, remember that when the demand is high for new housing, your choices may be limited. Be sure you ask the right questions while looking for the right plumber.
Licensed or Certified
Just because they have a van with their name on it, this doesn't necessarily mean that they are a licensed plumber! Ask for their qualificatons and experience. Call to verify that the license is current and check if there are any active complaints against the license.
Insurance
Be sure that the prospective plumber you are considering is fully insured, having both workers’ compensation and liability insurance. Your selected plumber should be able to provide you with a copy of his or her insurance policy.
Better Business Bureau
Contact your local Better Business Bureau to ascertain if any complaints have been filed against your potential candidate.
Questions to Ask
When you have narrowed the list, ask two or three plumbers to your home to survey the job and provide a written estimate that includes a materials list. The contract should spell out the scope of the project, any items that are excluded and the payment terms.
When obtaining a quote, one of the most important questions to ask your plumber is the type of materials to be used. Remember, a plumbing part defect has the potential to cause water damage to your home or create an indoor swimming pool in what once was your basement. Look for:
Quality Materials
Don’t let your plumber install products made with inexpensive and inferior materials. Ask for quality materials, often with recognizable brand names that offer manufacturers’ warranties to the consumer. You may pay more for these parts initially, but you will be glad you did if there ever is a problem or parts need replacing.
Reliability and Proven Performance
Many homeowners who are calling in a plumber to replace a leaking copper pipe don’t know there are alternative materials on the market. Why would you let a plumber make a repair with the same material that has already failed? Ask your potential plumbing candidates whether they use any of the proven superior alternatives to copper such as FlowGuard Gold CPVC pipe and fittings.
Made of durable chlorinated polyvinyl chloride, these pipe and fittings offer a number of benefits over copper pipe. Mainly they will never scale, corrode or pit which will help eliminate the risk of future failures and costly re-piping. As compared to metallic systems, FlowGuard Gold CPVC systems also virtually eliminate condensation, significantly reducing the risk of costly drip damage to walls, structure and contents. From a health standpoint, the CPVC alternative offers the added benefit of maintaining water quality since there is no metal to leach into the tap water.
In addition to inquiring about quality materials, other questions to ask a potential plumber include:
Length in Business/References
Ask each plumber how long he or she has been in business and if you have not been personally referred, ask to speak to several people who can vouch for the quality of their work and whether they completed the work on time and within budget.
Permits
Be sure to ask the plumbing professional whether they will be responsible for obtaining all necessary permits.
Service Guarantees
Does the plumber guarantee the work? This is an important point if there are any problems that need fixing after initial installation.
Safety Commitment
Accidents can happen with almost any home improvement project. So ask your prospective candidate what steps he or she will take to prevent injuries and property damage. A common problem when installing copper pipe is a solder torch that gets too close to dry wall or wood joists in tight spaces. Non-metallic alternatives, like CPVC pipe, are solvent cemented (not soldered), so the risk of fire is eliminated.
Clean Up
Ask the plumber how he or she intends to leave the work area once the job is completed. You don’t want to be cleaning up after a plumber for hours after they’ve left your home. Also, ask about disruption during the project. For instance, if the plumber uses CPVC pipe, you won’t have to worry about metal/copper filings to pick up or oil that may spill on your carpet and flooring.
Pricing
Compare prices, but remember the cheapest quote isn’t necessarily the best plumber for the job. An experienced, qualified plumber may charge more for the work, but could save you money in the end by doing the job right and using the best materials.
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