Plumbing & Drain Services

Plumbing & Drain Areas Serviced: Georgetown, Milton, Cambridge, Guelph, Kitchener/Waterloo, Oakville, Brantford, Hamilton/Dundas, Burlington, Fergus, Woodstock, London

Choosing a Local Plumber

Finding a reliable tradesman can seem frightening, but it doesn't have to be. The best place to start is by selecting a plumber that works in your local city or town. Choosing a plumber who works in your local city or town means you are supporting the local economy and helping solidify their reputation as a local tradesman. But where do you start?

Ask for Referrals

Often your friends and family in your local city or town will have, at one point or another, hired or know someone who has hired a local plumber. They will be happy to share their opinions with you about various local plumbers, the quality of their work and the competitiveness of their prices. Builders, contractors and real estate agents in your local city or town all deal with tradesmen frequently, and will be happy to endorse the local plumber they feel has the best reputation, high-quality standards and completion times. When all else fails, you can search the local yellow page listings both in the phone book and online. You might even find websites dedicated to helping you find a local plumber, along with reviews from people who have hired that plumbing company in the past.

Now that you have a list of local plumbers in your arsenal, how do you know which plumber to hire? It's simple: you interview them!

Years of Business

It's important that your local plumber has the knowledge and expertise necessary to solve your plumbing problems. Be wary of the jack-of-all-trades who works as a plumber in his spare time. A local tradesman who has been in business for a lengthy period of time, for a reputable company, has a proven track record of working with suppliers and customers, and most likely has a solid positive reputation as a result.

Business Etiquette

When deciding to hire a local plumber, it's important to consider the reputation and quality of work of the plumber, the professionalism and business management practices of the plumbing company, and the relationship between the plumber and the client. Eliminate those plumbing companies who undercut their prices just to get the job. If you don't, you run the risk of compromising on quality work and possibly a warranty that may not be honoured. Call a local plumbing company. How does the receptionist answer the phone? Is she courteous and polite? How does the plumber who takes the call respond to your inquiries? Does he listen attentively and explain simply how he can solve the problem? You want to ensure a positive working relationship with your plumber, and these are very simple yet important ways to do that.

Insurance

Does the plumber have sufficient insurance coverage in the event that something goes wrong? Workman's Compensation Insurance is critical for any reputable plumber, and you need to verify that your plumber has it. Evidence of insurance should be made available upon your request. If your plumber does not produce the proper insurance, it's important to note that you can be held liable should he or any of his workers get hurt while on your property.

License

Proper licensing is crucial to the success of any plumber. Your local plumbing company should have a Master Plumber on staff at all times and the team should be well trained, and knowledgeable in performing quality installations. Plumbers who offer cheaper rates may not be licensed or insured and often use cost-cutting techniques that will have a negative impact on the long-term integrity of your drainage system. Call your local government to confirm that the plumber is licensed to work in your local city or town.

References

A highly-regarded plumber will be happy to provide references. Be sure you check them! Call the Better Business Bureau to see if any complaints have been lodged against the plumber or his company. Beware of references that are unwilling to talk about the plumber, or don't have positive things to say about the job he worked on. A first-rate plumber will have first-rate references and that's the plumber you want to hire!

Pricing

A quality plumber will tell you what the repair or service will cost before the work begins. The plumber who charges based on "time and materials" has no incentive to get the job done quickly, efficiently or on budget. He actually makes more money by working slowly and having to leave to get more parts. Hire a local plumber who uses a flat rate, up-front pricing system to avoid losing your money.

Appearance

When the local plumber shows up at your door, what does he look like? Is he clean, shaved and in uniform with a company logo and a name badge on his shirt? Does he wear protective shoe covers and look you in the eye to say hello? Is his truck clean and neatly lettered with the company name and phone number? If the plumber cares about himself, his appearance and his truck, you can bet he will take the same amount of care with your house.

A reputable, high-quality local plumber is easy to find-you just need to follow the right steps to find him!