5 Things To Look For When Hiring A Licensed Plumbing Contractor

From sewer backups to busted water heaters, plumbing problems can wreak havoc on your home, invading your personal space and wreaking havoc on your walls, floors, electrical and routine. If you’re dealing with anything more serious than a drip, here are five things to consider when you’re looking for a licensed plumbing contractor.

Start By Checking The Basics

Licensing is important for tradespeople because it shows they have a certain level of education and training, have passed required exams and abide by industry and government regulations. Plumbing licenses vary by location, so be sure to ask whether the plumber you’re considering is licensed and whether that license applies to the services you need, such as:

• Installing a new water heater

• Repairing sewer or water main lines

• Working with gas lines that are part of your plumbing

• Bathroom or kitchen renovation

• Installing fixtures that require a permit

• Installing backflow prevention

• Modifying drainage

Depending on the nature of the job, a plumber might enter your home, work with heavy machinery, puncture walls or floors, and come into contact with pressurized water and gas lines. Make sure he has adequate workers’ comp and liability insurance and get it in writing in case of damage or injury. A reputable plumber won’t blink at this request.

Make Sure They Know Your Problem

Some licensed plumbers specialize in particular services, so it’s worth asking about his background and experience level with the service you need. For example, a plumber that installs and fixes faucets might not be the best person to call if you’re dealing with sewer line issues. Similarly, a plumber may have more or less experience dealing with less-than-emergency situations, such as those related to a kitchen or bathroom remodel.

Describe your issue as specifically as you can when you make an inquiry, including how often the problem occurs, how long you’ve been experiencing it and steps you’ve already taken to remedy the situation. If you’re experiencing backup in multiple drains throughout your home, for example, that’s a sign that something other than your P-trap could be clogged. Your plumbing contractor might need to use a camera to inspect the sewer line and coordinate that diagnostic work before recommending drain cleaning, sewer line replacement or excavation. Steer clear of plumbers that seem to diagnose your problem over the phone.

Ask How They Diagnose Before They Repair

A good plumber won’t necessarily jump straight to the priciest repair option; instead, he should be able to walk you through what he’s looking for, what his findings mean and why he’s recommending the repair he’s proposing. Depending on the situation, that might mean looking at cleanouts, examining how fast or slow different fixtures drain, running a camera down a drain or sewer line, doing pressure tests, checking for moisture or tracing water lines through walls. Of course, if you need a readily accessible shut-off valve replaced because it’s visibly broken, you can skip this step.

Get More Than A Bottom-Line Number

You might get a better deal elsewhere, but if you only have a bottom-line price to go on, you won’t know what services are or aren’t included. Get a detailed written estimate that breaks down the problem, proposed solution(s), materials, labor and service costs, who’s responsible for inspections and permits (if necessary), potential complications and added costs, and debris removal and site cleanup.

Ask if there are other options, as well - you might be able to put off replacing something for now, for instance, and opt for a less costly repair, or vice versa. There’s no one-size-fits-all answer, but it’s good to know your options before you make a decision.

For bigger plumbing jobs, ask if drywall repair, tile replacement, paint and landscaping restoration are included in the estimate, too - often, plumbers will only take care of the pipes themselves.

Notice How They Communicate

A plumber’s communication style and process before the job begins can be indicative of what to expect when the actual work gets under way. You don’t need a PowerPoint presentation, but you do want to get straight answers about what he needs access to, how long the job is expected to take, when he’ll show up, how and when to pay and other pertinent details.

Chances are, he’ll tell you if there’s anything you need to do in preparation, such as clearing out under the sink or moving furniture away from the wall. Plumbers working on water heaters, for instance, need ample room around the heater to disconnect it from the water supply and safely remove and install replacement parts; if it’s tucked into a cramped closet crammed with boxes, that could mean extra work and a higher bill.

If the plumber will need to shut off your water, ask how long to expect the outage to last and whether there are particular fixtures you shouldn’t use while he’s waiting to see if a new joint holds or sealant or glue sets.

Sort Out Permits, Warranties, And Cleanup

Depending on your area, certain types of plumbing work - especially gas line work, water heaters, major renovations and alterations, adding or replacing pipes, and changing vents - might require permits and inspections. Your plumber should be able to tell you what your local requirements are and whether he’ll handle the permit application process for you.

Even if the work is happening in a utility closet or behind walls, skipping out on permits could complicate things down the road when you’re selling the home, dealing with an insurance claim or getting other work inspected, not to mention the fact that some of those inspections exist to ensure safety.

Warranties vary by manufacturer and plumber, too. Find out what’s covered and for how long and make sure you know what you can and can’t do to avoid voiding the warranty. Ask for the details in writing.

One Last Check Before Saying Yes

Ultimately, you want to hire a licensed, insured plumbing contractor who can accurately assess what’s going on, give you a realistic idea of your repair and replacement options and lay out the scope of work in black and white. Before you give final approval, ask questions until you’re satisfied that you fully understand the estimate, double-check that the contractor’s insurance and licensing are in order and make sure you know what is and isn't included in the price tag.