Top 8 Questions to Ask Your Local Plumber in the Sutherland Shire Before Hiring Them

Take a look online, and you’ll probably see a couple of horror stories about plumbers lacking knowledge and experience who didn’t fix the issues the first time or made them worse. Or maybe they fixed the problems, but then the house owner who hired them received an enormous bill they struggled to pay. This usually happens because the homeowner didn’t do their due diligence before hiring them to fix their plumbing issue. In other words, they didn’t ask the right questions before hiring a local plumber in the Sutherland Shire.

Here is a list of questions to ask before hiring the plumber to ensure that they’re the right person for the job.

1. Is the plumbing company licensed?

The most important question to ask before hiring a plumber. Are you licensed?

A plumber isn’t the local handyman who fixes the small issues you’re experiencing around the house. They are licensed to install, repair, and maintain all kinds of plumbing systems to prevent hazards and complex issues. Their plumbing license is the official stamp of approval that proves they’re qualified to work on your home’s plumbing system.  If the plumber doesn’t have a license, look for someone else because plumbers without licenses fail to provide proper services or create up-charges while in the process of fixing your issue. Unlicensed plumbers don’t have an organisation to report back to, and they can take advantage of you and charge extra.

2. Is the plumbing company insured?

This is another essential question. The plumber you hire should have liability insurance with coverage adequate to cover all potential losses for your house. The company they work for should also have workman’s compensation to cover their employees in case they get injured while on the job. You don’t want to hire a company with improperly categorised employees because they’re not covered in case of an injury. So, if the plumber were to break their leg or arm in your house, they may pursue compensation from you, the employer.

Ask the plumber for a certificate of insurance to have proof that they have correct insurance coverage, valid for your job. It should come from their insurance provider and provide details about the casualties it covers. Never hire a plumber if they don’t carry insurance because this is a job where things can go wrong, and you may have to pay yourself.

3. Do you do a background check of your employees?

The plumbers you hire are the people who will work in your house. Make sure that your possessions and family are safe. Unfortunately, you don’t know what people are up to these days, especially when they work into your house unsupervised. Ensure that the plumbing company runs background checks on all employees and drug screens them before allowing them to take any project. Hire a company that hires experienced plumbers who are friendly and honest. All professionals have to start somewhere, but when you deal with a tricky or rare plumbing issue, you want the plumbing company to send a specialist, not the plumber who just repaired the first toilet in their life.

4. Do you have a specialty?

Most plumbers cover all aspects of plumbing, from blocked drains to leaking pipes and backflow prevention. But like other professionals, they can also specialise in a certain kind of work. If you deal with an uncommon problem, make sure you hire a plumber specialised in the area you need them to. You can hire a general plumber for basic plumbing work because they’re trained to provide emergency service, replacement, and repair of any plumbing system.

5. Can you provide me with local references?

Don’t feel uncomfortable requesting references when you hire a plumber. This is an important question to ask before they get to work on your plumbing system. Once you get the contact details, call the former clients and question them about the plumber’s services. Most people are happy to tell you if they’re satisfied with the quality of services they received and if there was a problem (and how the plumber handled it). Search for someone else if they cannot provide you with a minimum of three references. You can also check online at the Google Business Listing or other review directories to see what other former clients have to say about their services.

6. Have you worked a job like this before?

Most plumbing companies can handle any kind of plumbing issue, but if yours is intensive or intricate, ensure that the contractor is able to do it right. If the plumber states they have experience working with similar projects, ask them to provide you with the references corresponding to them. Read client testimonials to determine if they do quality work. The contractors who have never done a complex job need to serve as apprentices first to an experienced plumber. If they skip this phase, they can cause more complex issues with your plumbing system because they’ll guess how to handle the problem.

7. Do you have the right equipment for the job?

Every homeowner’s nightmare is to have to hire a second contractor to finish the job because the first plumber lacks the proper equipment and tools. For example, if you have a clog in the drain lines, ask them if they have camera equipment. In case you deal with an issue in the sewer line running across the lawn, question them if they can repair it without digging it up and damaging your landscape.

8. Do you offer a warranty on your work?

What happens after they leave the house? Plumbing services like installations and repairs should always come with a guarantee. Delivering high-quality services implies more than simply fixing the issue. It means that the contractor respects your house, time, and money and provides a warranty on their services.

The contractor should tell you if there’s a reason why they can’t provide a warranty. However, if it’s a basic job and they won’t offer a warranty, hire someone else. We hope that the above questions help you hire the right professional for your plumbing needs.