The first thing you should do when hiring a plumber is of course to explain what your problem is. What have you done, if anything, to try to fix it yourself? The plumber will most likely ask you some questions in order to obtain the necessary information to accurately assess the problem. But there are a few important questions that you, the homeowner, should ask as well.
First, if the plumber is not able to give you an estimate over the phone, find out if there is a fee to obtain one, and how much it is. While some plumbers will provide this service for free, most will charge a fee for their time to come out to your home, even if you decide not to hire them to do the job. It costs the plumber to make a service call, not only in the time they spend at your home, but also for their travel time and fuel expense.
Next, find out a time frame in which the plumber will be able to make the call, as well as an estimate of the time it will take to make the necessary repairs. Don’t forget about the cost of parts. If he is coming first to do an estimate, will he be able to stay and make the repairs, or will that have to be done on a return trip? If the plumber is working for an hourly charge, as is often the case, this will be important information to estimate the total cost to you.
You may also want to ask the plumber for references as to the quality of his work. Is his work guaranteed? If he is good at what he does, and confident in his abilities, this information should be willingly provided to you, without any hesitation.
Remember that you are inviting this person into your home, and have the right to ask questions for that reason alone. You are being charged for his time and expertise. A good plumber will readily answer any questions that you may have, in order to obtain your complete confidence.
Are you looking for a home plumber in the Columbia area? Call Plumbing Solutions at (803) 513-5749 and get started today!