Checklist: Recommended Questions to Ask a Plumber

Looking for a plumber is just like looking for many other specialized contractors: you need to do your research and ask the right questions to ensure you get a trustworthy, dependable, and skilled person working on your home. Use this checklist of questions to ask plumbers in Tustin and plumbers in Ontario, CA, to ensure you find the right plumber for your job.

#1: Are You Licensed?

When you choose plumbers in Tustin and plumbers in Ontario, CA, you need to ask that they are a properly licensed professional. Plumbers need a certain level of skill and knowledge to get a license, and they need to be capable of handling any plumbing issue you can throw at them. Licenses are often backed up by county, regional, or state plumbing tests to be certified. Additionally, yearly re-certifications are required to ensure plumbers know the latest changes to building codes and building practices. Using an unlicensed plumber can result in work that is illegally done, resulting in possible fines or shutdowns for permit violations.

#2: Are You Insured?

Issues can happen when a plumbing job is going on; whether it’s an accident, mistakes, or theft, insurance covers the resulting monetary cost. When hiring reputable plumbers you need to ask them whether they have proper insurance, such as builder’s risk, bonds, and workers' compensation. You don’t want to be hit with an unexpected cost out of your own pocket; it can get costly.

#3: Who is Doing the Work?

When doing plumbing work, the person doing the actual work may not be the plumber in Tustin or the plumber in Ontario, CA that you got your estimate from, so it’s best to ask them who will be doing the work. You’ll want to make sure that the person doing the work is also licensed and certified. Also, ask if they will be using an additional team of laborers during the work period to complete the work.

#4: What Are Your Service Fees?

Costs of services and how payments are made are important aspects to know when dealing with plumbers in Tustin and plumbers in Ontario, CA. You should be asking what the costs of their services are if you are going to hire them. As well, many will offer free estimates but don’t trust anything that isn’t on paper (and definitely don’t trust any agreement that is done just over the phone.) Make sure you ask if their estimates include the cost of materials, labor, and contingency plans, otherwise you may end up with much higher costs than expected. Are rates hourly or flat rate? Once you have your estimates, you should ask what payment method options are available, whether they have financing or payment plans available, and when during the job you are expected to make payments.

#5: What is Your Response Time?

Response time from when you first call a plumber is important, especially when it is an emergency. You should ask plumbers in Tustin and plumbers in Ontario, CA how long, on average, it takes them to respond to an emergency. As well, you should ask whether they offer 24-hour emergency services.

#6: Do You Offer Guarantees?

If something goes wrong with the work that has been done by plumbers in Tustin and plumbers in Ontario, CA, you need to know whether they will fix it. Before signing a contract with a plumber, ask what kind of guarantees they have on their work. Will they only come back within a certain time period to fix any problems, or do they have any specific conditions that have to be met? Get guarantees or warranties in writing, and ensure they are bonded and insured.

If you are looking for licensed and professional plumbers in Tustin and plumbers in Ontario, CA, then contact Empire Plumber today for a free estimate.