Did you know that a leaky faucet can lead to 3,000 gallons of water being wasted annually?
It’s true, a simple plumbing problem like this can cost you a lot unless you get it fixed.
Now, when you have a plumbing problem, who are you going to call? A good local plumbing service provider! Not everyone’s an expert in fixing and maintaining plumbing so calling a professional is always the right move.
But you need to be careful when choosing a local plumbing service provider, otherwise, you’re going to end up hiring one whose services aren’t worth your money.
What are the downsides of hiring a bad plumber?
Before we dive into mistakes everyone makes when choosing a plumber, let’s take a look at situations hiring an inexperienced plumber could lead to:
1. Problems Can Escalate
When you choose a bad plumber, chances are that they’re going to make things worse. They won’t have the skills and experience to handle plumbing problems effectively and this could lead to them causing more damage, like breaking pipes or even losing tools inside drains. When stuff like this happens, you can expect some expensive repairs down the road.
2. Property Damage
Connecting to the last point, a poorly skilled plumber won’t put much care into their work, and this could lead to them damaging not just your pipes, but other parts of your property as well, like walls, the ceiling, and furniture. In some cases, you might not even notice some of these damages until it’s too late.
3. Wasted Money and Time
Inexperienced plumbers are likely to take a lot more time to get repairs done, even very simple ones. On top of this, after taking too long to get the job done, chances are that they’ll do a botched job—this will not just be a waste of time but also a huge waste of money for you.
4. Safety Issues
Plumbers without much experience won’t be too concerned about safety, so sometimes they might skip standard safety procedures to get the job done faster. They might overlook safety measures like turning off the gas when fixing gas water heaters or turning off the water supply—this could lead to safety hazards like gas leaks and flooding.
5. Low-Quality Work
Work done by a bad plumber will always be of poor quality. Since they do a low-quality job, there’s a big chance that the problem with your plumbing will show up again in the future and lead to expensive repairs.
What are some of the most common mistakes people make when choosing a plumber?
Now that you know about the dangers of hiring an inexperienced plumber, here’s what you should NOT do when choosing a good plumber:
1. Not Checking Reviews
There are over 113,347 plumbing businesses in the USA, but not all of them have a good reputation. To see which of these plumbing services, namely the ones in San Diego, are the best suited for your business, you need to check out some online reviews.
These reviews will give you a clear idea of how good a plumbing service is and why you should hire them. At the same time, you might want to look at negative reviews too, these reviews can tell you which plumbers should be avoided.
2. Picking the Cheapest Option
The average cost of plumbing services can range between $122 and $888, but some plumbers may offer cheaper prices. But cheaper doesn’t mean better.
A cheap price could mean low-quality services and inexperienced plumbers. As a rule of thumb, you should ask for quotations from multiple plumbers and choose the one that’s right for you. In addition, check their reviews to see if they’re indeed worth the price.
3. Not Getting a Written Contract
Some homeowners don’t bother getting a written contract when hiring a local plumbing service provider—and this is a huge mistake!
A written contract lists down the terms and conditions of the plumbing job, such as the costs, time, and warranties so that there won’t be any misunderstandings between the plumber and the homeowner.
4. Overlooking Availability
Many plumbers only work during normal business hours and because of this, they won’t be very responsive if you have a plumbing emergency after working hours.
When choosing a plumber, you should always pick a local plumbing service provider who is available 24/7.
5. Not Verifying Insurance and Licenses
A plumber must have the relevant license and be fully insured to do the work they do. Insurance helps protect you from liability if any accidents happen when the plumber is working on your plumbing system.
Many homeowners forget to check whether the plumber they hired has the necessary licenses and insurance.
6. Asking the Wrong Questions
Many homeowners ask the wrong questions when hiring a plumber, like “Can you get the job done by lunchtime?”. Here are the questions you need to ask:
- Are you insured?
- Do you have a state plumbing license?
- Do you clean up after doing the repairs?
- How long have you been in the business?
- Can I have a breakdown of all the costs involved?
- Do you offer warranties?
Asking these questions is crucial if you want to find an experienced plumber who works with a high degree of professionalism.
Frequently Asked Questions
Below are some commonly asked questions about how to find a good local plumbing service provider:
1. Can a plumber help us with a remodeling project?
Yes, they can! If you’re remodeling your home, a good plumber can help you move pipes, install fixtures, and make sure that your plumbing system is compliant with local codes and regulations.
2. What are some common plumbing problems in San Diego?
Common plumbing issues in San Diego include clogged drains, hard water buildup, leaky faucets, water heater problems, and low water pressure.
3. How often should I get my pipes checked?
You should get your pipes checked at least once a year.
Always pick the best local plumbing service provider
Plumbing problems can be a major headache for anyone but a good plumber can help you take care of your plumbing problems without a hitch. But remember—you need to do your research well if you want to find a reliable plumbing service for your plumbing needs.
Whether you need drain cleaning, bathroom plumbing, or just tightening a leaky faucet, a good plumber will make sure that your plumbing issue is fixed, safely, efficiently, and at a good price.
