Whether you require a plumber to complete services in your home or commercial property, naturally, you’ll want to ensure you hire a licensed professional. If you hire an unlicensed or unqualified tradesman, you risk receiving over-priced services, or worse, services that are completed incorrectly and made unsafe. To avoid paying an extortionate amount for plumbing services and to ensure all of your plumbing is completed safely, follow these top tips to ensure you are hiring a licensed plumber for your home or office.
1. Ask to see proof of their licence
This may sound obvious, but one of the most effective ways to find out if a plumber is licensed is to ask them to provide evidence of their training and certifications. If a plumber is able to prove to you they are licensed, you can then research the school/facility they trained at and ensure it is a location with a good reputation. Some unscrupulous plumbers may fake their qualifications, so you should still follow the below steps to ensure you are hiring a licensed tradesman.
2. Request a plumbing portfolio of their work
A professional plumber should be more than happy to show their portfolio of work. If a plumber is unwilling or unable to show you their portfolio, or evidence of their previous work, it may be because they have completed sub-par work in the past or do not have any experience. If a plumber is recently qualified and does not have a lot of practical experience, this does not make them untrustworthy, but they should be upfront with you about their limited work history.
3. Ask for the total cost
Many unlicensed plumbers will give you a rough estimate of a price and then as the work commences add multiple additional costs to your final bill. A licensed plumber should be able to provide you with an estimate and then a more thorough price break down before the job is started, with no hidden costs. Ask for an itemised estimate that includes everything from parts required to complete the plumbing job to manual labour. A licensed plumber will have the training to break down their pricing structure and should be more than willing to explain their costs to you.
4. Consider contact
Think about how easily you were able to get in touch with the plumber. When contacting the plumber and they were quick to answer your calls and queries and have provided you with multiple ways to contact them, e.g. email and phone, this should be taken as a good indication they are reliable.
5. Search for online reviews
In today’s digital world, most plumbers have a website or at least a social media presence. If they are denying that they have any digital presence, it may be because they are trying to hide negative online reviews from you. Do a quick search online for plumbers in your area and see if any reviews sound familiar to the plumber you are currently communicating with. If you have any suspicion that a plumber is misleading you, they are most likely unlicensed and should be avoided.
6. Ask for references
One of the easiest and most effective ways to determine you are hiring a licensed, reputable plumber is to speak to their past clients. Word of mouth is an extremely powerful tool for a plumber so they should be more than happy to connect you with their past clients. If a plumber refuses to provide references or keeps delaying giving you the contact information of their past clients, it is most likely because the work they have completed in the past is unsatisfactory or overpriced. Without references, you should never hire a plumber.
Contact a plumbing company that is qualified
If you require a licensed, reliable plumber, contact a plumbing company that is trustworthy and backed by positive reviews. Most plumbers can provide commercial and domestic plumbing services that can help you with any plumbing task, from leak detection to unblocking drains and more. To learn more about any plumbing services, simply contact your chosen company to find out more.
