Plumbing – What to Know Before Giving a Plumber Your Money

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The plumbing in your home can give you a problem any time of the day or
night. Whether it is a problem with your toilet, a leaky bathroom faucet
or something that is caught down the drain in the kitchen sink plumbing
issues are bound to happen to everyone, and usually at the most
inopportune times.

If it is a small problem and you have some plumbing experience or know
someone who does then you should be able to have the issue resolved in
no time at all. However if it is more complex then it is time to call in
a professional to do the job right. In other words, you need a plumber
who does this kind of work for a living.

It helps to have an idea of what you will be charged. A routine house
call to fix something such as a clogged drain will cost you in the range
of $50 to $70 an hour. If you live in a metropolitan area then the
rates are likely to be even higher. If a repair needs be made after
hours- which is to say not during regular weekday hours- then you will
be charged more money. Expect to pay anywhere from $80 to $100 per hour
if your faucet is leaking in the evening hours, on weekends or on a
holiday.

Getting the best price possible for the work that needs to be done is
really important. To do this get bids from two to three plumbers. If you
have the time then you may want to get bids from four or five plumbers.
You may assume that in the same area all plumbers will charge the same
for the work they do but this is not the case. In fact the bids can vary
from one professional to another by as much as 70 percent for the same
job. This is why you must ask around and do your homework in regards to
those who work in the plumbing field.

A verbal estimate is one thing but it is not good enough. Always get an
estimate in writing. What you want is a written estimate that is
provided to you on-site when the plumber sees what repair(s) need to be
made in your home. This written estimate should be final. Make sure the
individual knows that if he goes over the amount he has quoted you that
you will not pay him any more money. That is the purpose of an estimate.
It lays out the costs and makes everything clear for both parties.

Be aware that anyone can call himself a plumber but not all states
require the same of those deemed qualified plumbers. All 50 states issue
plumbing-contractor licenses. You can confirm the legitimacy of a
plumberÂ’s license by phoning up the licensing board in your state.
However there are only 24 states in total that deem it a requirement for
plumbers to get their journeyman certification. To receive this they
must pass rigorous competency examinations. When searching for the right
plumber for the job ask each person if he has his certification or if
he has received updated training through any professional organization
or association. This can make a difference in the quality of the work
that gets done in your home.

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