Tag Archives: plumbers

Apr '23

Top Reasons to Hire a Local Plumber Over a Chain Company

When it comes time to hire a local plumber, many homeowners often feel overwhelmed by their choices. With so many different companies claiming to offer first-class service, it can be hard to know who to pick. With this in mind, many people opt for larger national chains in the hope of getting reliable work. However, often it’s the local plumbers that provide the best quality service and value for money. Here’s why you should consider choosing a local business when looking for a plumber:

Better Quality Plumbing Services

One of the main reasons why it makes sense to hire a local plumber is because they can provide top-notch plumbing services. It is well known that locally-owned firms take great pride in their work and they are even more motivated to make sure that they get the job done correctly the first time. This is because they have their own reputation to uphold and they don’t want to risk their business’s reputation by performing shoddy work.

Local plumbers also have the experience and skills needed to solve most problems with ease, meaning no job is too big nor too small. Many local plumbers have built up a loyal customer base over the years, which is why they continue to remain popular in their local communities.

Actual Professional Plumbers

Another great benefit of hiring a local plumber is that you can be sure that the individual you hire is a professional. Chain plumbers may not take the same care in their work as they do not have their own local businesses to protect. This means that they may use shortcuts and rush through the job, leaving you with a half-finished or shoddy repair job. On the other hand, local plumbers undertake their work with a great deal of attention and care so that your plumbing is back up and running in no time.

Local plumbers also understand the local area better and recognize any unique problems unique to that region that would otherwise be missed by other firms.

When it comes to hiring a local plumber, homeowners should be aware of the many benefits they can offer.

Local Plumbers are Licensed

Finally, a major advantage of hiring a plumber near you is the cost. Although the initial cost may seem more expensive than opting for a chain, you should consider that the local plumber may complete the job in a much shorter timeframe. This can save you a lot of money in the long run and may even result in a far better quality job.

Considering the plumber will also be familiar with the standards required by the local government and other local regulations, this also means that it is more likely you will have a job done to the highest possible standard. Because these businesses are locally owned and rely on repeat customers, they take pride in delivering quality results.

When it comes to hiring a local plumber, homeowners should be aware of the many benefits they can offer. Whether it’s quality workmanship or the fact that they are more in tune with the local area, there is no doubt choosing a local business can be the right decision. With this in mind, it’s worth taking the time to look around and do your research to find the best plumber to suit your needs.

Apr '23

How to Choose the Right Chicago Plumbing Expert for Your Home

When looking for a plumbing expert in Chicago, it is important to make sure that you are selecting a plumber who is qualified to do the job. The best way to ensure this is to find a plumber who is licensed and insured. Licensing is important as it shows that the plumber is trained to do the job and has the necessary knowledge and experience. The insurance is important in case something goes wrong, you will be covered.

When you are looking for a plumber in Chicago, be sure to ask them for references from past customers. This will give you the opportunity to speak with those people and ask questions about the quality of work, customer service and overall experience. You should also ask for proof of insurance and licensing to make sure that the plumber is qualified to do the job.

Emergency Plumbers Chicago

When selecting an emergency plumber in Chicago, it is important to make sure that you are choosing a plumber who is available for emergencies. Plumbing problems can occur at any time and you want to make sure that you can get the help you need when you need it. Ask the plumber if they offer emergency services and if they do, ask what the fees are and the time frame they guarantee.

It is also important to make sure that the plumber can come to your home quickly. Ask them what the typical response time is and if there is any way to get a faster response. If you have an emergency, you don’t want to wait around for a plumber to arrive.

Chicago Plumbing Services

When selecting a residential plumber in Chicago, you want to make sure that they offer a wide range of services. Plumbing problems can range from simple repairs to complex full home re-piping services. Be sure to ask the plumber what services they offer and if they have the experience and knowledge to handle the job.

You should also ask about warranties and guarantees. A good plumber should stand behind their work and offer some sort of guarantee. This will give you peace of mind knowing that if something goes wrong, the plumber will be there to fix it.

Finally, you want to make sure that the plumber is someone you can trust. Be sure to ask for references and also ask about their reputation. You want to make sure that the plumber is someone you can trust to do a good job and be reliable.

Finding the right Chicago plumbing expert for your home doesn’t have to be difficult. With the right research and questions, you can find a qualified, experienced plumber who offers emergency services and a wide range of services. Make sure to ask questions, get references and check their reputation to make sure you are getting the best possible service. With the help of a qualified plumbing expert, you can trust that your plumbing needs will be taken care of quickly and efficiently.

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Nov '22

Local Plumbers to Avoid

You will only know the importance of finding a competent local plumber once you have had an unqualified plumber mess up the plumbing in your home. Plumbing emergencies are one of the worst problems to have in the house. Issues like water heater malfunctions, burst or frozen pipe emergencies, or an overflowing toilet can grind your entire household to a halt.

When you have a plumbing emergency in your home, Advantage Properties advises you want to be sure the person you hire to fix it knows what they are doing. However, in most cities in the USA, there is a surplus of plumbers, but finding the right one can be very difficult. It does not make it easier as incompetent plumbers often charge less than capable ones.

A dishonest plumber can do this because they will use substandard materials and methods. Additionally, they spend fewer hours on a job, so homeowners’ labor costs are lower. But the allure of that cheap patch-up job fades when the home’s plumbing fails, and the cost of fixing it is several times more than the money saved.

How can you identify an incompetent plumber and avoid the harm that person can do to your home’s plumbing and finances? Before you hire a local plumber to work in your home, check for the following seven things. An honest and competent plumber will not have any difficulties satisfying the opposite of the listed conditions.

New plumbing companies

If a plumber is inexperienced, you don’t want them messing with your home’s plumbing. Avoid newly established plumbing companies. That new company may be a fly-by-night operation that just rolled into town. If a company doesn’t have roots in the area, it can easily pack up and leave. Unless the principal of the new plumbing company can show a track record of having worked with another reputable plumber, don’t hire them.

Plumbers without an up-to-date license

A plumber needs to be licensed to work in the municipality. But more than having a license is required; the license must be up to date. You should be able to verify their registration status with the local government and the local chapter of their professional body. Also, you want the plumber to have expertise working with homes like yours. Even if they are legit, hire someone other than a plumber who specializes in commercial plumbing systems for your residential plumbing repair issues.

A plumber who does not have enough reviews or references

A local plumber should be able to furnish you with sufficient references. If the plumber has experience working in the area and is as good as they claim, it should be easy to give you a list of past or current customers. Only hire a plumber if they provide out-of-town references or if the references are good. Do not hire a plumber if they don’t have an online footprint or if all the online reviews are positive.

Plumbers who don’t have enough insurance

Even good plumbers make mistakes, but the best plumbers always prepare for that possibility. Avoid a plumber if they do not have sufficient insurance. At a minimum, the plumber should have enough insurance to cover employees injured on the job, protect you from liability and cover your losses if your property is damaged. Avoid a plumber who will not let you verify the extent of their coverage with their insurer.

A plumber who doesn’t employ licensed tradesmen

Avoid a plumbing company if they don’t have licensed tradesmen on their payroll. Plumbing systems are delicate; the massive damage that can result from a minor error by an incompetent worker is something you want to avoid. Even if the owner is qualified, the lack of experienced hands could lead to long wait times. You want to know that the company can deploy a trained plumber to your home in an emergency.

Plumbers who don’t offer guarantees and warranties

If the plumber can’t give clear-cut answers about what they will do if there is a problem with a job they did for you, avoid that plumbing company. You want a plumber who offers guarantees on the parts they used in your system, plus on the labor. If the plumber does not guarantee that something goes wrong with the job within a specific timeframe and that they will fix it at no cost to you; you don’t want to hire them.

Plumbers who will not put it into writing

If a plumber wants the contract to be verbal and hesitates to put it on paper, they cannot be trusted. Your arrangement with a plumber should not be over the phone. That is subject to change and there is no way to prove what you agreed with the company. All agreements should be documented and both parties should agree on the meaning of every aspect of the contract. If anything, please do not work with that plumber.

These seven simple tips should save you the inconvenience of hiring a less than adequate plumber and will save you a ton of money in the long run.

Jul '22

Important Questions to Ask a Chicago Plumber Before Hiring

Finding the right plumber when you have plumbing issues in your home is more than half the effort of solving the problem. A good plumber looks holistically at your plumbing systems, instead of simply focusing on the single issue you reported, as amateurs do. That plumber not only solves the plumbing problem but also helps you prevent future problems.

How do you find that kind of plumber?

Most homeowners wait until there is a pressing problem with their plumbing before they look for a plumber, says Envy Property Management. When you do this, chances are you won’t care much about the qualifications of the person you hire. You just want them to make the problem go away. This is one reason why plumbing problems in your home are never completely solved.

To find a qualified Chicago plumber, you should start the process long before there are issues with your home’s plumbing. This will help you avoid the anxieties that lead to hiring the wrong person.

So, what criteria should you use when trying to find a plumber for your home? If you live in the Chicago area, the list below will answer that question for you.

Are they local or national?

A national chain may have all the right people but the two things they lack are flexibility and a personal touch. These are important when looking for a plumber. You want a local company that you can build a long-term relationship with. That plumber should come to know your home’s plumbing intimately so that they can diagnose and solve problems quickly and economically.

What kind of plumbing services do they provide?

When looking for a local plumber for your home, you do not want to hire a commercial plumber in Chicago. Commercial and residential plumbing systems are very different, and a commercial plumber may not give you the kind of service you need in your home. Only hire a commercial plumber if they also provide residential plumbing services.

Ask about licensing, qualifications, and memberships

Plumbers in Chicago are required to have up-to-date licenses to practice in the city. Check that the plumber is properly licensed by the city. You will also want to know if they are members of the local chapter of their professional organization. The training of the employees who will be doing the work matters, so make sure to ask about that.

How long have they been in business?

Experience counts: not everything is learned in training. The longer a plumber has been in business, the more time they have had to gain the needed expertise to solve the most difficult plumbing issues. The other reason to hire an experienced plumber is you can use them as your sounding board; they become a trusted adviser on all plumbing issues.

Are they bonded and insured?

What kind of insurance do they have? How much insurance do they carry? The plumber’s insurance policy should include worker compensation for any worker who is injured while on your property, liability insurance to protect you from lawsuits, and property insurance if your property is damaged by their workers.

What do others say about them?

The company should have an online footprint that you can follow. Check online review sources to see what people are saying about them. Look out for negative reviews and pay particular attention to how the company responds to those. Some online sources where you can look for reviews are BBB (Better Business Bureau) and Yelp.

Can they provide references?

Ask the plumber for a verifiable list of people who have used their services in the last year. These should be people who live in Chicago. Ask the plumber’s permission to contact these references. Make sure to call some of the people on the list to find out what their experience of working with the plumber was like.

Do they offer a warranty on their work?

What happens if there are issues with a job the company did for you? Will they fix the problems at no cost to you? Will there be a warranty on the parts they supply? If there are warranties, you will want to know the terms and conditions attached to them. Warranties should be gotten in writing.

How will they estimate the cost of the job?

Will they provide a free estimate? How do they arrive at that estimate? Will you get a quote over the phone, or should you expect them to do a home inspection? You want your plumber to have the right information about a problem before quoting on the job. Do not work with plumbers who attempt to give you a quote over the phone.

How do they charge?

Do they use hourly rates or flat rates? With flat rates, you know what you are paying for a job, but hourly rates can be unpredictable. You also want to see the contract and payment terms. Do they expect you to pay upfront, halfway through the job, or after the work is completed?

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Feb '22

What to Look for in a Local Chicago Plumber?

Plumbing issues in the home are unavoidable – they happen every so often. When they do happen, these problems can disrupt the entire routine of your household and destroy your personal belongings. Plumbing issues will also cost you a lot of money if you do not detect them on time.

The difference between having constant plumbing emergencies in your home and staying ahead of problems is the plumber you hire and your plumbing maintenance plan. Your plumber is vital to the frequency of plumbing problems in your home and how much they cost.

A good plumber should reduce the number of emergencies to the barest minimum. They should take you to where you will get preventative maintenance and upgrades. That means a relative absence of plumbing crises because issues are dealt with before they get to that point.

How do you find a plumber who is competent and trustworthy? What are the qualities you should look for in plumbers before hiring them? The list below highlights the critical traits a professional plumber must have. Following them will help you better manage plumbing issues in your home or office.

Tips for choosing the right plumber in Chicago

Are they a local or national chain plumbing company?

The first criterion is that you want a company near enough to respond to your needs. You want a long-term relationship with this company, and you expect that they will come to know your home’s plumbing intimately. It is hard to get these benefits when dealing with a national plumbing company such as Roto-Rooter and the like. That is why you should only talk to local plumbers in Chicago.

Licensing, accreditations, certifications, and memberships

They must be adequately trained and willing to share proof of that training. On your part, you should be able to verify any claims they make. In most municipalities, plumbers need licenses before working in the area. You want to ascertain this, their level of training and membership of the local chapter or their professional body.

Years of experience

The plumber must have experience; you only learn some things by doing. This experience is best if particularized to the kind of plumbing you have in your home or office. You don’t want a plumber who works mainly with single-family homes handling the plumbing in a multi-unit apartment complex.

Reviews and references

If a plumber in Chicago has been in the industry for a long time, they should have a list of satisfied customers who are willing to vouch for them. Ask for a list of references in the area and contact them to hear what they can say about the company. Also, check reviews of the company online; pay attention to negative reviews or comments to see how the company responds to them.

a local chicago plumber performing a drain cleaning service.

The quality of their employees

What kind of training does the staff of the company have? Do they use trained and certified plumbers? How many of such workers are on the company’s payroll? Are the workers full-time or part-time, and how long have they been with the organization? Finally, do they conduct thorough background checks on the people they employ?

Are they insured?

The company must have insurance up to a certain amount. They should be able to provide proof of that insurance. Moreover, you must verify their insurance from the insurance company. The company’s insurance should not only cover their employees in case of injury. It should shield you from liability and protect your property from loss or damage.

Tools and equipment

They should have up-to-date tools and equipment. Plumbing issues in the house require a diverse set of tools and equipment. If the plumber is not well equipped, it will affect the quality of work. That is crucial because you want a plumber to arrive when you have a plumbing emergency. A competent plumber should have a fully kitted van with everything they need to resolve plumbing emergencies in Chicago quickly and thoroughly.

Round-the-clock service

Plumbing emergencies don’t announce themselves before they happen, and they can happen at any time of the day. You want to know if your plumber can send someone to handle issues if they need fixing at the oddest hour of the night or during the holidays. Additionally, the company should have stellar customer service available throughout the day.

How much do they charge?

You should know the charges for any service the plumber in Chicago provides upfront. You want the plumber’s rates to compare favorably with what others charge. But more importantly, you want those rates to be transparent and predictable. You also want to know the kind of guarantees they offer on any work they do. You must, however, avoid the mistake of selecting the cheapest plumber.

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