3 Ways to Choose the Best Plumber for Your Project
In our last blog post, we discussed the top five most common plumbing services offered by professional plumbing companies. Now that you know which plumbing repairs and installations most plumbers tackle, along with which services are less common, it’s time to find a good plumber to work with.
When it comes to hiring a plumber, it can be hard to know where to start. With so many options, how do you choose the plumbing contractor who is going to be the absolute best fit for what you are trying to accomplish? If you are not dealing with a plumbing emergency and you have the luxury of conducting research on the plumbing industry in your area, keep reading this post to learn three simple ways to choose the best plumber for your project.
Plumbing Services and Areas of Expertise
First thing’s first, you need to find a plumber that offers the service or services you are looking for. Again, you can refer to our last blog for a breakdown of which plumbing services are most commonly offered. Beyond that, you will have to do a little bit of research before you jump into your plumbing project.
Start by using Google or any search engine of your choice to find plumbers in your area that offer the service you are looking for. Type your plumbing problem or what you need to have done (for example: “clogged sink”, “water heater repair”, “toilet installation”, etc.) along with the area you live in. You can also add the words “plumber” or “plumbing” to your search query, but this is not usually necessary.
Start clicking through the search results and take a look at the different websites. Usually, plumbers will feature the services they offer on the home page or at the top of the website in some kind of menu. Here, you can most likely figure out which services each plumbing company offers and determine if they do the type of work you are looking for. If you are unsure whether or not one of the plumbers you are researching offers a particular service, give them a call. Most offices will have someone available during business hours to answer your questions.
If you are looking for a more niche or less common plumbing service, or you want to know what a plumbing company’s strongest skills and areas of expertise are, this again is usually outlined on a website. If not, always consider sending the company a message or giving them a call to learn more.
Reviews, Reputation and Referrals
Another good way to learn what exactly a plumbing company offers and which areas they excel in is by studying their online reviews. Google has a prominent review section, and a lot of businesses also choose to feature reviews directly on their website. These reviews generally give a lot of insight, and they will also let you know if the plumber you are researching is reputable and reliable.
However, it is important to remember that people who leave reviews are usually very happy with their service, or very unhappy. Reviews always capture the extreme of both ends, and a negative review may be a one-off. Public reviews are a crucial part of researching anything, but always take them with a grain of salt.
Another way to commonly find reputable plumbers or narrow down your search is through word-of-mouth. Some plumbers will build up a good reputation in the community, therefore you will naturally hear about them. Social media and local online forums are also helpful places to look for popular plumbers and get specific recommendations on who to work with for what.
Referrals are another common and generally reliable resource for finding quality services, too. We trust our family and friends, and they usually do not sugarcoat their experiences, good or bad. Reach out to the people in your circle and ask which plumbers they have worked with and what their experience was like. Or, make a note any time someone you know and trust recommends a service or shares a positive experience so you can utilize that company in the future.
Licenses and Insurance
Once you have found a reputable plumbing contractor who offers the services you are looking for, the final and most important step is to assure that they have the proper insurance and licenses. For example, most plumbing companies have general liability insurance to protect you and your property if anything goes wrong while the plumbers are working.
Licensing requirements vary from place to place, and a quick Google search will usually help determine what is required in your place of residence. For example, in the state of Michigan, plumbers need a plumbing license or a Master Plumber’s license to operate. These types of licenses ensure that the plumber you are working with has completed all of the necessary training to properly and professionally work on your home’s plumbing.
Years of experience go a long way, too. Experienced plumbers have generally seen and worked on a wide variety of plumbing projects. Plus, plumbers who have been in business for longer usually continue to be successful for a reason–they are good at what they do and people trust them.
Again, most of this information (licensing, insurance, experience) will be included on the plumber’s website. If you are having a tough time tracking down these details, give the company a call to ask your questions and learn more.
Reputable Plumbers in Southeast Michigan
If you are looking for plumbing services in Southeast Michigan, look no further than Lenox Plumbing. Lenox has the reputation, the reviews, the licenses and the experience to successfully tackle any of your plumbing needs. Plus, we make things as affordable as possible, too.
As we recommend in this post, check out our website to learn more about which services we offer. If you have any questions or you want to schedule an appointment, fill out a contact form on our website or give us a call today.
