After a major storm, when various infrastructure components like plumbing have been damaged, it can be challenging to find reliable contractors who will repair your issue without overcharging, doing sloppy work, or even scamming you out of your money. When you search for “reliable plumbers near me” after a storm, you’re going to get plenty of results, but how do you know they’re actually as reliable as they claim to be? Here are some tips for finding reliable plumbers after a storm.
Don’t Pay For Everything Upfront
This is probably one of the most important tips for finding a reliable plumber at any time, not just after a storm. Scammers will demand full payment before they even start work. This is because they don’t actually intend to do the work. They want to take your money and run.
It is commonplace for companies to pop up overnight when there’s a storm to take advantage of homeowners who are in a tough situation. If a company is demanding full payment before starting work, choose a different company. Reputable companies will only ask for a deposit or nothing at all prior to fixing your plumbing issue.
Ask to See a License
One sign of a reliable plumber is that they have a license. Not every state requires plumbers to have licenses for all types of plumbing repairs, but any reputable plumbing company will have one. Don’t put your plumbing fate into the hands of an unlicensed plumber. They may or may not know what they’re doing, including pulling permits. If they don’t pull the right permits for your work, you could end up getting fined. Plus, not having a license may be an indication that they’re going to take off with your money instead of doing the work.
Choose a Company That’s Been in Business for a While
As previously mentioned, fly-by-night companies tend to suddenly be in business after a major storm. These companies are probably not reliable because they are just in business to take advantage of the work that needs to be done in an area following a storm. They might complete the work, but you don’t have any way of knowing that they’re going to stand behind the job they do.
When you choose a company that’s been in business in your area for at least a few years, you know they’re going to still be there if something goes wrong with their work down the road. Reliable plumbers usually warranty their work for a certain amount of time and you want to know that you’ll be able to follow up on that warranty if the need arises.
Get a Contract
Before you allow anyone to work on your plumbing, make sure you have a signed contract that explicitly states the work that’s going to be done and the price. Sometimes, plumbers call this a bid, proposal, or quote, but until you agree to the scope of the job and the price you’ll pay, the plumber should not begin any work. Allowing a plumber to work without a contract is a sure way to end up in a payment dispute after the work is done.
Conclusion
If you’re dealing with plumbing issues due to a storm, you’re probably under a lot of stress. Don’t let yourself fall for a scam or hire someone who does a poor repair job just because you aren’t thinking clearly. Get some referrals from friends, read reviews, and follow the tips given here to make sure you hire a reliable plumber for your job.
