Questions to Ask Before You Hire a Plumber
by Kevin Smith AuthorIf you need immediate plumbing service in Gainesville, GA,
it may not even occur to you to ask the plumber questions beforehand. After
all, you simply want the problem fixed. However, it's a good idea to ask at
least a few basic questions before hiring a plumber.
License
Is the plumber licensed, bonded, and insured? You should
only hire a licensed plumber. A friend who knows a little bit about plumbing
could easily do more harm than good. It's not worth risking water damage and
additional costs in order to hopefully save a few dollars. Additionally,
licensed plumbers are familiar with local municipal codes. Any plumbing work
that's performed must be up to code. Insurance is another big factor. It's
never a good idea to be held liable for damages caused by the plumber. The
plumber's insurance should cover it instead.
Cost
Does the estimate show the entire cost? Are there additional
charges or fees? It's unfortunate, but not all plumbers or companies are
upfront with how they handle their billing. They may find ways to insert
additional expenses or hidden costs. While discussing the bill, it's a good
idea to find out if they do a flat rate or hourly billing. Hours can quickly
make the cost or repairs climb far beyond your initial expectations.
When do the expect payment? A small job might demand 100% of
the payment immediately after completion. Larger projects typically use "milestones."
They receive partial payment as certain items are completed. Both are viable
options depending upon the sort of work being done. However, you should never
pay upfront. If a plumber asks you to pay the total cost of the job before
working even begins, you should simply walk away. They're not reputable, and
it's probably a scam.
Cleaning
Is the plumber responsible for cleaning up the mess? It's no
secret that plumbing can be dirty and messy work. It may seem rather obvious
that the plumbing company ought to be responsible for cleaning up the area, but
a surprising number of plumbing companies don't clean up when they're finished.
Be sure that the contract covers cleaning the work space. There will be
probably be a small fee for cleanup being included as part of the job, but it's
generally worth it. Some companies assume that the cleanup is to be covered, so
any related expense is already part of the estimate.
A few simple questions should make your experience with plumbing
service in Gainesville, GA,
much easier and more pleasant.
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Created on Sep 19th 2019 01:40. Viewed 337 times.