How To Choose The Best Plumber For Your Needs

With so many plumbers out there, working out which one is going to do the best job for the fairest price can be difficult.

If you’re currently considering getting some plumbing work done but aren’t sure which plumber to choose, we have some advice to help. We’ve put together a list of factors to consider that should help you end up with a more reliable and professional plumber for the job.

Read on to find out what to look for when it comes to finding a plumber that’s going to provide the very best solution to your needs.

Is a plumber the right tradie for the job?

Before commencing the hunt for a plumber, it’s important to be sure that the problem you’ve got is a plumbing one! Whilst issues such as a burst pipe or the need for a new tap are pretty clearly plumbing jobs, projects such as refurbishing a bathroom, sorting out issues with a central heating system, installing a tankless hot water system or installing a solar heating system for your hot water may not be within the capability of every plumber.

Remember that plumbers aren’t gas engineers unless they say so, so if you’ve got a gas boiler or similar, you need to find a plumber that’s also qualified to work on gas fitting.

Check their level of experience

A seasoned plumber is likely to do a better job than a rookie – they’re also more likely to have innovative solutions for challenging projects or stubborn plumbing problems.

It’s always worth checking how many years the plumbing company has been established – usually, a plumbing company that’s been around for a few years, especially one that’s got time-served plumbers, is going to be a sound option.

As already indicated, it’s not just years of experience that matter – your plumber also needs to have experience in the type of problem or installation you need help with.

Certifications, licenses and insurance

Plumbers should be qualified professionals that are licensed to practice the type of plumbing you need (note that there are different qualifications for different types of plumbing). They should also be suitably insured to protect you and them whilst they work on your property.

A good plumber will be happy to show you the relevant paperwork to demonstrate their credentials if required. You will also usually find details on their website.

Do they offer a warranty?

There are two parts to a warranty – one covering workmanship and one covering the actual parts used. New parts automatically come with a manufacturer’s warranty, but the workmanship warranty is down to each plumber.

Twelve months is usually considered a minimum term for a workmanship warranty.

Costings

Whilst the best plumber for your needs won’t necessarily be the cheapest, when it comes to pricing up a job, you can expect the following:

• A clear explanation of what the problem is and what the solutions are, using terms you can easily understand.
• An explanation of the options, including the plumber’s professional recommendation.
• A clear breakdown of what you get for the price. Remember that there may be preparatory work or old installations that need to be removed – if these aren’t included in the price, that needs to be clearly explained.
• A no-obligation quote. Don’t accept an estimate, as this can go up or down.

Reviews

One of the benefits of the Internet is that plumbing reviews are just a couple of clicks away. This means it’s easy to see what others have thought of a tradie. Whilst positive reviews are always a good starting point, make sure that the reviews relate to the type of work you need to be completed!

Local plumbers are usually the best option

A local plumber will get to you promptly, whether to attend an emergency or for a scheduled visit. If they charge travel time, it’s going to be cheaper if they’re located nearby.

In addition, it’s likely that if you’ve got a plumber just down the road, a friend, relative or colleague will probably have used them and can give you an accurate account of their experience.

It’s also a good idea to support local if you possibly can, so if you’ve got a local plumber that ticks all the boxes, it’s a good idea to use them if they are the right fit for your needs.

Check them out!

In the first instance, take a look at their website – is there a landline number? Do they provide details of their licenses and qualifications? Are they master plumbers? Is there up-to-date contact information?

If the answer to all these questions is yes, give them a call and see what sort of response you get – expect a good plumber to be responsive, polite, obliging and turn up when they say they will.

If you want experienced and professional plumbing services in Port Macquarie, get in touch with us at Carrick Plumbing and Roofing on (02) 6581 4589.