It’s important to do your homework before hiring your plumber in Woodbury, MN. Contacting a random plumber to come to your home without knowing anything about them can be a costly mistake.
Here are six important questions you must ask before hiring a plumber in Woodbury, MN:
- Are You a Licensed Plumber?
Perhaps, the first inquiry you should have for your prospective Woodbury plumber is if they’re fully licensed. This is crucial for you to find out because only plumbers who are licensed can secure the permits that are necessary to perform particular jobs. In addition to this, an unlicensed plumber can’t offer the high standards of workmanship that a licensed plumber can. Work that an unlicensed plumber performs may not be done up to code, which, essentially, makes your plumbing project illegal. This can cause you as the customer to receive very expensive violations.
- Are You Insured?
When a plumber has proper insurance, you and your home are protected. Being insured means that if an accident happens while working in your home or they make a mistake on the job, you will not be forced to deal with the unwanted ramifications of their actions. Essentially, when a plumber is insured, they’re taking the worry out of the situation for you. A reputable plumber will possess both commercial general liability insurance, as well as workers’ compensation insurance. When a plumber has insurance, it shows that they’re responsible and care about building a good reputation.
- How Long Have You Been In Business?
Don’t hesitate to inquire how long your prospective plumber, such as AJ Alberts: Plumber Woodbury MN, has been in the business. Experience means everything. It’s a good sign if they’ve been in the business for several years because it means that they’ve proven to be successful plumbers and have a track record of producing high-quality work. A bigger company will likely have plumbers with several years of experience.
As part of this inquiry, ask who’s actually going to be performing the work. Make sure that the company doesn’t make a habit of hiring out subcontractors for cheap labor. Also, don’t be afraid to ask for certifications and references of any specific worker who will be entering your home.
- Does Your Written Estimate Reflect An Hourly Or A Flat Rate?
Before you make any type of agreement with a plumber, make sure you have full understanding of how they’re billing you. Are they charging you by the hour, or does the written estimate reflect a flat rate? For instance, is the plumber calculating the hourly rate plus the material costs, or is the quote going to stay the same no matter how much labor goes into the job? Keep in mind that if you’re paying hourly and your project takes longer to finish than they initially thought, you could end up paying way more than you anticipated.
- What Are Your Hours?
Find out if they have a 24/7 customer service telephone line. This is important in case you’re to have a water line break or some other type of emergency wherein you need to desperately get in touch with them.
Even if your plumbing situation doesn’t require an emergency fix, you need to know how and when your plumber is going to be able to fit you into their schedule. This is important, no matter if you need a toilet fixed or an entire bathroom remodeled.
- When Is Payment Required?
Find out if the plumber expects to be paid in full after the job is completely finished, or if they have something else in mind. Should any plumber ask you for total payment upfront before they even start the job, move in the other direction. Some plumbers will ask to be paid for a portion of the bill after they’ve completed a certain part of the job. Another might ask you to be paid each week or every other week. If a plumber wishes to be paid according to the calendar, hopefully, they won’t take advantage of you. If they work slowly, however, this may not be the greatest idea.
Final Thoughts
Hiring a plumber in Woodbury, MN, is an easy thing to do, as long as you ask the right questions. Finding out if they’re a certified, insured professional is key to protect you and the rest of the household members, as well as, of course, your property. Allow your instincts to guide you as you listen to their answers, and don’t hesitate to ask them for references.
