How Not To Get Soaked When Hiring Someone. Finding a plumber is easy, you just need to pick up the yellow pages, or go on-line and enter a search for local plumbers. Finding one that is reliable and can carry out the work to a high standard is the difficult part. You should be careful not to get soaked with problems, if you take on someone who is not qualified to do the job.
Trades people tend to advertise in local and regional newspapers, trades journals and on the internet. Contact a minimum of three providers, but before you invite them to come and give you a price for the work, check that the quote will be provided free. A reputable trades person will be happy to quote for a job free of charge, but if you fail to ask the question, you could end up with charges to pay.
A plumber may assess the job and give you a verbal quote, but insist that it is confirmed in writing in case to prevent any misunderstandings. The majority of reputable trades people will have administration procedures in place, allowing them to provide the appropriate paperwork for prospective clients. Accepting quotes on odd bits of paper is an indication that the company is not well established, or may even be bogus.
Many people are confused about the difference between a quote and an estimate. An estimate is exactly what it says, and is subject to change. A quote is the maximum amount you should expect to pay to have the job completed and does have some legal standing. A quote should contain a break-down of all the costs involved, including amounts allocated for parts and labor.
As part of their sales pitch, a plumber may show you photographs and glossy brochures advertising their work. Ask for contact details and arrange to see the finished work for yourself, and talk to the clients about their experience. Brochures and pictures are fine, but they do not always tell the full story.
Ask around friends, colleagues and relatives if they have recently had work done by one or more of your chosen suppliers. Use the internet to search for customer reviews. Verify that the plumber is registered with the appropriate trade organization.
If it is a minor task, such as fixing a leaky tap, you may think this is a waste of time and effort. If you choose a quality plumber for the small jobs, when the bigger ones come along, you have an established relationship that you can rely on. However, you need to be careful not to get soaked, and check they have the experience necessary.
