HOW TO LOCATE AND HIRE A LOCAL PLUMBER

Some homeowners don’t think about finding a plumber until they have a serious water leak or a clogged drain. But, the best time to locate a plumber is long before a plumbing emergency ever occurs. Having contact information for quality home improvement professionals should be the goal of every homeowner, but many people are not sure how to find a plumber who provides quality work for a reasonable price.

Ask for Recommendations
It sounds easy, but one of the best ways homeowners can find a great plumber is by asking their friends and neighbors for recommendations. Verbal evidence recommendations are generally sincere and honest, so it is a great way to find the truth about plumbers a homeowner is considering.

Consult Other Professionals
Consulting other types of professionals is another great way to find a quality plumber. General contractors work with a wide variety of tradesmen from plumbers to electricians. They know who has a good reputation in the home improvement community and who likes to cut corners.

A good plumber should encourage potential customers to speak with past customers. Asking for a list of references and contacting them can give a homeowner information regarding the plumber's customer service, quality of work and pricing.

Also, it can be helpful to check reviews online. If a plumber has a long list of complaints or a poor rating, they have not been able to resolve disputes in a satisfactory manner in the past. Reading reviews of service providers online is helpful, but it's important to keep in mind that many online reviews are not examined for honesty or legitimacy. These reviews should be used as an extra tool instead of being the sole reason why a homeowner chooses or rejects a plumber.

Verify License and Insurance
A plumber will have access to a person's home and belongings, so it is important for customers to verify that they are dealing with legitimate professionals. A reliable plumber needs to be properly licensed and insured. Each state's licensing board handles professional licenses, and online resources are available that allow customers to quickly and easily check the legitimacy of a license. In order to become a licensed plumber, a plumber must:

• Pass a competency test
• Undergo a background check
• Complete fingerprint scanning

Gather Quotes
Most homeowners are living on a budget, so they need to find great service without breaking their budgets. Because of this, it's important to gather quotes from several plumbers before signing a service contract. Homeowners should request the quotes in writing so that the rates can easily be compared.

It is also important to gain an understanding of exactly what is included with each quote. Some plumbers charge a flat hourly rate while others have patrons pay per job. Still, others offer service packages or subscriptions that provide service calls for a monthly or yearly fee. Before homeowners request an estimate from a plumber, they should ask if there will be a fee for the service call. If the work does not need to be done instantly, homeowners should request an estimate over the phone to avoid paying a service charge for the visit.

Conclusion
By following these procedures, a homeowner can find a quality plumber in his or her area. It's a good idea to keep the number of a reliable plumber handy since plumbing emergencies can occur at any time. Once a plumber has earned someone's loyalty and business, passing along their name to other people in the area who are looking for help can reward the plumber for their hard work.