Most people never think about the importance of a reliable plumber until it’s too late. Similar to locksmiths, police officers, and emergency medical personal, plumbers are generally called in to solve an immediate problem. In those cases, people are more concerned with expediency than quality.
They ask questions like:
How long is this going to take?
How much is it going to cost?
Imagine for a minute, that it is very late at night and you discover a leaking pipe in your West Palm Beach home. This pipe is leaking water everywhere! You can’t recall the last time you had to use the services of a plumber, let alone the phone number to a reliable plumber. So what do you do? Most people grab the Yellow Pages or log onto the internet and contact the first available plumber in the area.
There’s no way you would select your doctor, attorney, or accountant in that manner. Read on for some tips on how to identify the best plumber in the area before you need their services—that way when you do, you’ll know you’re dealing with the best plumber you could find.
Can the plumber you’re considering handle all of your needs? Depending on what’s wrong, you may need a residential plumber or a commercial plumber. Top notch plumbing services will be able to easily handle both commercial and residential jobs.
What if your problem is more than a leaky pipe or toilet? Does the plumber you’re considering handle other plumbing services? For example, can they handle residential and commercial water heater system repairs and replacements? Do they offer residential and commercial drain cleaning services?
Is your potential plumber easy to work with? Can you pay with electronic check, cash, and all major credit cards? Are they available 24/7 for emergency service? Do they answer the phone promptly? How is their customer service? For example, many West Palm Beach residents prefer dealing with family-owned and operated businesses that can provide a personal touch to their service.
Make certain that you are not dealing with a fly-by-night operation. How long has the plumber been in business? Years of experience can help save you time and money since the plumber is not learning his craft at your expense.
You should have a general idea of how much the plumbing services will cost. When you contact a plumber in West Palm Beach, the plumber should be able to give you an estimate or quote before beginning work.
Now back to our example. If you’ve sprung a leak and you’re knee-deep in water, how can you ensure the plumber who comes to fix it is capable of doing the job without overcharging you? Of course, you don’t have time to do extensive research in the midst of your emergency. Call possible plumbers. Find out how long they have been in business and where they’re facilities are located. (Even if you don’t check out their office, remember that an established plumber is less likely to skip town in the middle of the job.) Ask the plumber for references and any pictures of similar work they may have done. Inquire into the plumber’s insurance. Find out whether their work is guaranteed.
Following the tips above will help you stay out of trouble and also help you find a reliable and quality plumber in West Palm Beach.