When it comes to potential plumbing projects, what comes to mind first? It may be those emergency situations where you need a technician on-site right away. It could be installing new fixtures like a toilet or a faucet. It could be cleaning out a drain that has been running much slower than normal. Truth be told, it could be a number of different things! Given that everyone utilizes these many different plumbing components on a daily basis, this is a major reason why it’s so important to have a local plumber you can count on to provide a wide array of plumbing services.
Here at Stine-Nichols Plumbing, we understand how handy it can be for a homeowner or local business to have one company that they can call for all things plumbing. With that being the case, we’ve always taken pride in being a one-stop shop for plumbing services. Whether that be installing a new water heater, doing the rough-in for a bathroom remodel, running a camera inspection through a sewer line or anything else, you can always trust our experienced plumbing technicians to get the job done right the first time.
Throughout this week’s blog post, we’ll be discussing a few different things that you should ask before hiring a plumber. No matter if you’ve never needed to hire a plumber before or have recently moved to a new area, it’s important to hire a knowledgeable professional that can accurately evaluate the situation and provide you with a reliable solution! Let’s dive right in!
Licensed, Insured and Bonded?
While you would assume this one would be a no-brainer, it never hurts to be safe. First and foremost, you’ll want to make sure they have the proper licenses to provide plumbing services. Secondly, insurance is obviously a major component too. Make sure they have both general liability insurance and workers’ compensation insurance. Plumbing projects aren’t always cut and dry every single time, so having the necessary insurance is a MUST! Last, but not least, you’ll want to make sure they are bonded too. Each of these three items undoubtedly serves a unique and important purpose!
Years in Business or Experience
Our next point combines two different topics as well. Asking the company how many years they’ve been in business is important for a number of reasons. However, arguably the most relevant point is the fact that they likely wouldn’t still be providing plumbing services (and in business) if they didn’t know what they’re doing, right? Not to mention, if they’ve been in business for a while, they’re also much more likely to stand by their work in the event that something goes awry.
The second half of this section (experience) also helps signal just how knowledgeable they are about plumbing-related topics. In regards to plumbing, it’s safe to say that every situation can be unique. With this being the case, experience is critical when it comes to troubleshooting around various problems. Having the ability to diagnose a problem, formulate a solution and complete the necessary work is extremely important, no matter what the project entails. Furthermore, as a customer, it’s important to also understand the value of ensuring each of the technicians on their team also possess the necessary skills and experience to get the job done. This echoes the point we made in the section above about licenses. Especially for those with a commercial facility that need plumbing repairs more frequently (in comparison to a residential homeowner), you’ll want to make sure each of the technicians have the experience needed to complete the work since they may send you different plumbers along the way.
Warranty on Work Completed?
Given that there are such a wide range of plumbing problems you may encounter, warranties can vary as well. Furthermore, certain fixtures like faucets or water heaters may carry manufacturers warranties that could cover certain situations too. To sum it up though, if a warranty is something you’re concerned about, it would definitely be worth bringing it up to the plumber you’re considering. Most companies likely provide a set time period of warranty on all service and parts. Likewise, it’s important to also note that not all services are always covered under this warranty. Drain cleaning is a great example of that! You may get the drain cleaned out with a service call, but then if the homeowner puts something else down it that shouldn’t be, chances are you could be faced with another clogged drain shortly after. This second drain cleaning would typically be the responsibility of the homeowner and not something covered under warranty!
Available Services
When you have a plumber that you can count on for all different types of projects, it can be a huge relief for a homeowner. Whether it be an emergency or not, knowing they’ll get you taken care of in a timely manner and resolve the issue the first time is definitely a plus! With that in mind, if you don’t already have a go-to plumber and are in the process of calling around to local companies, it wouldn’t hurt to ask about the various services offered by these companies. Water heaters, faucets, water softeners, drain cleaning, sump pumps, the list goes on. Having someone reliable that handles everything plumbing-related is beneficial!
Another area where “available services” carries even more importance is in relation to commercial plumbing services. We already mentioned commercial plumbing once above, but two key qualities to look for in a commercial plumber are the ability to offer quick and timely services, as well as being able to provide solutions for a wide variety of plumbing problems. Time is always of utmost importance for a commercial facility. And managing a commercial facility requires you to stay on top of quite a few different things, so having one point of contact for all things plumbing is well worth it!
Cost for Project
Unsurprisingly, another variable that will factor into determining which plumbing company you hire will be the price for completing the work. This can be said about any home services contractor that you hire and is no different with a plumber. Especially for bigger jobs, it’s never a bad idea to get a few estimates and see if the price differences influence your decision in any way. In addition to that, you’ll also want to inquire about the pricing structure. Are the jobs quoted and you’ll have a set price (a water heater installation would be a great example of this)? Or will your project be priced based on time and materials? These are both common pricing structures and chances are many companies will likely utilize each of them based on the scope of work. Long story short, just so there are no surprises when you receive the final bill, it’s important to clarify everything price-related beforehand!
Need Plumbing Help in Kansas City? Call Stine-Nichols Plumbing!
Started in 2014, our team at Stine-Nichols Plumbing has had the opportunity to work with hundreds of homeowners and businesses all around the Kansas City area. As evidenced throughout this week’s blog post, there are several things to consider when hiring a local plumbing company. The reason it’s so important to do your due diligence before hiring someone is because you definitely don’t want to find yourself having to pay for plumbing services more often than you absolutely have to. And with so many potential plumbing companies to pick from, you’ll want to make sure the one you hire has the necessary insurance/licenses, as well as the ability to successfully complete the project.
Do you live in or near the Kansas City area and need a plumber that you can count on? Don’t hesitate to give us a call at (816) 348-3481. Here at Stine-Nichols Plumbing, we offer residential, commercial and new construction plumbing services. No matter what the project may entail, we would be more than willing to lend a hand!