Recent statistics show that there are currently 261,194 plumbers working in the US. On average, 96.5% of plumbers are men, making up the vast majority.
If you need plumbing services in St. Petersburg, FL, you need to do research. With so many plumbers available, it can be hard to pick the right option.
But you want to choose carefully since you will be working with this company long term. This guide will help you to know what to look for when hiring a plumber.
Keep reading to find out how to choose plumbing services when there are so many options.
1. Look at the Services
When you are hiring a professional plumber, you need to choose wisely. One factor you need to consider is the services that a plumber provides.
A lot of plumbers offer pretty standard maintenance and repair services. These are all things that you could possibly need, so that is important.
It is also a good idea to look for a plumbing company that provides 24-hour emergency services. A company like Home Team Plumbing provides this in case of an emergency.
This could be a dealbreaker since plumbing problems often occur without warning. You want to make sure you pick a company that will have everything you need for the foreseeable future.
This way, you don’t have to find another company later on for a different issue.
2. Compare the Costs
Plumbing repairs are something that people aren’t exactly excited about paying for. These often pop up suddenly and can be quite costly.
Because of this, you want to evaluate how much the plumber charges. You do not want to pick the cheapest price, but you also don’t want to be overcharged.
This is why you should get estimates from at least 3 to 5 different plumbing companies. This will give you perspective on what the average fee for that service is.
It is also important to figure out if the fee is hourly or a flat rate. A flat rate is much more dependable, making it ideal for a budget.
If the plumber’s charge is hourly, this could put you at risk. There is always a chance of the project going on for longer or becoming more extensive.
Either way, you want to have an accurate idea of what you are being charged for and what it comes to.
3. Read Reviews
When you are doing your research, you also want to consider the plumber’s experience. One way to do this is to read that company’s reviews from past clients.
Reviews can give you perspective on how that plumber works. Positive and negative reviews provide information regarding the plumbing problem you are having.
Don’t write off a plumbing company simply because they have a few negative reviews. Keep in mind that this comes down to personal opinion and some negative reviews are normal.
You can also ask friends and family for any references they may have. If they have had plumbing work done, they may have a company they recommend.
4. When Payments Are Due
Understanding how much a plumber is it’s just one step. It is also important to understand how payments work.
The main thing you should ask about is when payments will be due for the work done. Most plumbers ask for some money upfront to ensure they will be paid.
This allows you to pay the bill in sections, which can be very useful for a budget. You never want to pay everything upfront, as this could be a red flag about the company.
Some companies allow incremental payments as the project meets different milestones. This is something you may need to discuss during an estimate or consultation.
5. Helpfulness of Customer Service
If you live in St. Petersburg, you want to find a reputable plumber to rely on. This ensures you always have someone’s help if you experience plumbing issues.
One of the many things you should consider is the customer service team. These are the people that usually answer the phone when you call or answer your emails.
The customer service team should be friendly and helpful. They should ideally be able to answer your questions or direct you to someone who can.
The customer service team should also be easy to reach. If they are rude or they never return your calls, this could be a red flag.
If you ever had an emergency plumbing issue, you would want to be able to get a hold of them.
6. Look Into Insurance
There are also different legal aspects you should consider before hiring plumbing services. Plumbers should be insured to protect you from financial liability.
This is often a part of plumber licensing requirements in most states. This means the company is covered by Worker’s Compensation.
If an accident occurred, this is not something you would have to pay out-of-pocket. Some insurance may also cover damage so that you are financially safe.
Plumbing Services: How to Hire the Best Plumber
If you need to hire plumbing services, there are certain important things you need to consider. You should make sure that plumber provides all the services you need.
You also want to get different estimates to see who has the more affordable price. When doing online research, you can also read reviews from past clients.
Do you need to hire emergency plumbing services for your St. Petersburg, FL, home? Contact us today at Home Team Plumbers to get started.
