If you are looking to keep the plumbing in your Chicago home in top shape, one of your top priorities should be to find a good plumber, says TCT Management. But with numerous plumbers in the city, most of them claiming to be the best, how do you separate the good plumbers from the bad ones?
There are several things you should expect any plumber you hire to have. But before we dive into the crucial qualities to look out for when hiring a professional plumber in Chicago, it is necessary to reiterate why a homeowner would need a reliable plumber in the first place.
Why you need a reliable and experienced plumbers
Plumbing problems in your home are not always straightforward. Sometimes, the actual cause of a problem is far away from the site of the problem. A competent plumber understands the complexity of your plumbing and can diagnose problems quickly and accurately.
A professional plumber saves you money. No, not because they will charge low fees for their services but because their expertise helps to improve the performance of your plumbing and prolong the lifespan of your pipes. You will spend less money on repairs and replacements.
A competent plumber will keep you up-to-date on developments in the plumbing industry. They will ensure that your plumbing is up to code and you get the best of the most essential upgrades and innovations as soon as those solutions become available.
But how do you find that good plumber?
8 Tips for finding the right plumber for your Chicago home
You should not be talking to any plumber who is not licensed to practice in your area. But even if a plumber is licensed, it is still not enough. You want to check the status of their license, how long it has been active, and if the license has ever been suspended. You can usually get this information from the State Contractors Board.
Large plumbing company chains that build popularity through adverts should be avoided. Instead, you want to focus on smaller brands that rely on their reputation. Big brands often force you to go through layers of red tape to fix your home’s plumbing issues. But smaller plumbing companies bring a personal touch, and they can create tailor-made services that address your unique plumbing needs.
Time spent on the job matters because an experienced plumber will know tricks that can help them solve complex issues quickly and cheaply. You also do not want to hire a new plumber because there is no way of knowing if they are a fly-by-night operation that is looking to scam people of their hard-earned cash.
Take 5-star reviews with a pinch of salt. Most of them are not to be trusted. Instead, you want to look at how a company responds to poor reviews; do they look for ways to resolve the issues? Check to see if there are any complaints against that particular plumber on the Better Business Bureau. What is their BBB rating?
The best plumbers are found through word of mouth. Ask your friends, neighbors, and coworkers about any good plumbers they have had personal experience with. You may also want to ask other tradesmen or other homeowners. If this doesn’t work, ask the people at your local plumbing supplies store.
A good plumber will have the same costs as everyone else who lives in your area. Do not expect them to come cheap. Talk to at least five plumbers and ask them to give you an estimate for a job. Pick the plumber whose costs fall in the middle. Cheap plumbers often do a shoddy job, and expensive plumbers may want to rip you off.
Your preferred plumbing company should have adequate insurance. At the very least, the plumber should have enough insurance to cover injuries to their workers while working in your home, compensation for damage to your property, and liability insurance to protect you from third-party lawsuits.
What happens if the job they did fails unexpectedly? Are you expected to pay them a second time to fix the problem? Or will they fix it at no cost to you? Only plumbers who plan to build a long-term relationship with their clients offer warranties. If there are no warranties from the plumber, you should not work with them.
Lastly, you want to ask the plumber about their availability. That is essential when dealing with plumbing emergencies in your home. If a plumber does not offer emergency plumbing services, they will not show up on short notice if there is a pressing plumbing issue in your home.