5 Questions To Ask A Qualified Plumber

5 Questions To Ask A Qualified Plumber

5 Questions To Ask A Qualified Plumber

It’s never a good idea to hire a plumber blindly. Many homeowners will have a horror story or two about a plumber they hired who not only failed to fix the problem but made it worse.

There are also great plumbers that will do an excellent job, but charge an arm and a leg for it.

Luckily, vetting plumbers properly can help avoid such scenarios. Here are five questions you need to ask potential plumbers.

1. Are You Licensed?

A professional plumbing license means a plumber has gone through the required processes and is fit to practice. This is often after training and government testing to earn their certification as county, regional or state plumbing contractors.

Licensed contractors are also well versed with local building practices and codes. These ensure the plumber will do the job right while adhering to the required standards. 

2. Do You Have Insurance?

Plumbers in most Australian states need to at least have their plumbing liability insurance to practice. Public liability ensures that you are compensated should there be any property damage or personal injury during a plumbing job.

Without this, you would need to handle any damage you incur out of pocket, which can be extremely expensive. The other option would be litigation, which is tedious, emotionally draining and time-consuming.

So ask potential plumbers what insurance covers they have taken out before bringing one on board.

3. Can You Provide Estimates In Writing?

Sometimes, a plumber will give you an estimate on the phone after describing the problem. This can be a red flag because without surveying the damage, it's not possible to estimate the damage.

What happens then is that when you get the actual bill, it tends to be several times higher than the estimate.

When vetting plumbers, ask them if they will be giving you written estimates. These can be particularly useful if disputes arise.

4. What Is Your Specialty?

Ask about a plumber's specialty before asking them for any paid service. Going with a general plumber for minor repairs and general plumbing work is okay.

However, if you need something slightly more specialised, it's good to find a plumber who has previously handled those specific jobs. For example, if you want to do an entire kitchen renovation, a plumber that mostly handles bathroom plumbing repairs might not be the best pick.

If the company subcontracts some jobs, you need to look into that company and ascertain that they are licensed, insured and what their specialties are.

5. What Are Your Working Hours?

There is no telling when you will encounter a plumbing emergency. When this happens, you need a plumber to immediately get over to your house.

Find out when different plumbers are open and if they are on call during weekends and holidays.

Looking For The Best Plumbers In Town?

For 75 years, Wollongong residents have trusted us with their plumbing jobs, big and small. We have a reliable team of expert plumbers ready to offer quick and reliable services 24/7.

Would you like to know why we are the leading plumbers in Wollongong? Book an appointment with us, and let us tell you why we will make your plumbing problems a thing of the past.


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