A home’s plumbing system consists of a complex system of pipes and fixtures that–hopefully–work together to provide clean water, safe disposal of wastes, and more.
Because plumbing systems can affect home and public safety, they are strictly regulated by building codes. Long Beach plumbers are licensed and credentialed to ensure quality workmanship.
However, this doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t be able to do your own plumbing. HomeTips offers step-by-step instructions for many DIY plumbing projects.
However, knowledge, plumbing skills and the right tools are crucial to a successful plumbing project. Hire a plumber if you don’t have what it takes to do the job correctly or have the necessary tools.
Hire the right plumber – a Long Beach plumber who will complete the job safely and correctly. Also, they’ll be reasonably priced so that the project doesn’t turn into a disaster.
When you have found The Right plumber, make sure you keep his number handy. It will come in handy the next time you need it.
Your job when hiring a plumber is to ensure that they are qualified and of high quality workmanship.
Here are some things you need to know:
What makes a good plumber in Long Beach?
An excellent Long Beach plumber must have the following: Ask potential plumbers if they have the following:
License. 44 states require that working plumbers be licensed. A plumber who is a good one should not only have a license but also have a clean record of complaints. Check to see if any complaints have been filed against them and their company. To check if your state has active licenses or complaints, you can visit their website. You may also find a phone number that you can call.
Another source for complaints is the Better Business Bureau.
Insurance. Although homeowner’s insurance may offer some protection, your plumber should have at least $500,000 in liability insurance and workman’s comp to protect you and your family in the event that he or she is hurt on the job.
Experience. Learn how long a plumber’s company has been in business and how many years the person who will be performing the work has. Most plumbers take several years to learn and master their skills.
Referrals. Ask potential plumbers for references from people who have done work for them. Call those customers to ask if they are satisfied with the work and if there were any complaints.
Warranty. Only deal with a plumber who will stand behind his or her work and parts for at most one year.
Social Skills. Although this one can be tricky, it is important to take into account. It is important to find a plumber who communicates clearly with you, can trust you, and has good work ethics, like keeping your home clean, protecting your floors, and showing up on schedule.
How to find a good Long Beach plumber
There are a handful of ways to find a local Long Beach plumber: online services, personal recommendations, Yellow Pages, newspaper ads, and online services. Some sources are better than others.
Personal Referrals. A personal referral is the best way to find a plumber. Ask for the contact information of a plumber if you know anyone who has recently had plumbing work done and is happy with the results. Remodeling contractors and real-estate agents are also good people to inquire about.
Online Referrals Services. Online referrals have grown to be a huge business in recent years. Websites like Home Advisor and Networx offer free access to their extensive network of contractors, plumbers, and other service professionals. These sites use either crowd-sourced reviews or in house vetting to verify the qualifications of their professionals.
After entering your zip code, some details about your job, your phone will ring with professional calls in most cases. Home Advisor has been HomeTips’ favorite online service for many years.
Print ads. No matter if they are in the Yellow Pages, or in your local newspaper, printed ads are generally not reliable indicators of plumbers and contractors. Although large advertising budgets can be a sign of a company’s size, it is not always the case.
Companies with large advertising budgets will need to include these costs in their bids. People who are truly great at trades don’t need to advertise. Their reputations are spread through word-of mouth and they keep busy.