It can be tough to find the best local plumber in your area. You need one that is responsible, trustworthy, skilled, experienced, and offer consistently top-quality work at reasonably affordable prices.
If you’re searching for a local plumber to perform work in your home, make sure you’re informed before making your final decision by reading these top tips on how to select the best local plumber in your area.
1. Require Proof of Insurance
Always require proof of insurance from any plumber you consider hiring. Never assume that a plumber is adequately insured until you see their proof of insurance for yourself. Not only do insured local plumbers tend to be more experienced, skilled, and responsible, but hiring an uninsured plumber can have very severe consequences for you. If a plumber you hire to perform work in your home is not insured, you will likely be responsible for paying any medical bills that accrue in the case that the uninsured plumber is injured while working in your home.
Also, it’s a good idea to ask local plumbers if they are approved by certain insurance providers. Insurance approved local plumbers partner with some of the top home insurance providers and deal directly with your insurance provider to take care of reporting and billing so that you don’t have to worry about doing so yourself.
2. Don’t Settle for Uncertified
Make sure that any plumber you are considering hiring is fully licensed and certified. In most cases, an individual must earn a plumbing license or certification in their state by passing certain tests that prove their skill and expertise in the field.
Be sure to check the date on plumbers’ licenses, too. It’s usually better to hire a plumber who has been certified for a longer period of time, as that usually means that they have more experience as a professional in the field and probably perform higher-quality work than a plumber who just recently earned his license.
3. Get an Estimate Up Front
To avoid getting saddled with unexpected costs, always get an estimate from a plumber before you agree to hire them. If you are having trouble making a final decision between multiple plumbers you are considering hiring, any discrepancy between the estimates you receive from each one could end up being the deciding factor for you
Also, be wary of any plumber who is willing to offer a guaranteed estimate over the phone before ever setting foot in your home. Most reputable plumbers will want to visit your home and assess the damage that needs to be fixed or the work that needs to be done prior to providing an estimate.
4. Ask About Emergency Policies
Before you hire a local plumber in your area, ask them how they handle plumbing emergencies. For example, what do they do if a pipe breaks in one of their customers’ homes on a Sunday morning or in the middle of the night?
Ideally, any local plumber you hire should have a plan in place for providing services outside of normal business hours and on holidays in the case of a plumbing emergency. Plumbers that have clear emergency policies are more likely to provide high-quality customer service and strong dedication to their customers.
5. Check References
Any certified, insured, skilled, experienced local plumber in your area should be more than happy to provide a list of references from satisfied customers they’ve worked within the past. Ask each plumber you’re considering for a list of references before you agree to hire them. If they are unable to provide any references for you, that’s a major red flag.
Also, don’t just rely on pre-written testimonials alone. Ask for contact information for two to three references that a plumber provides for you, and actually follow up with those references to make sure they are legitimate.
Accurate Leak Locators and Plumbing
If you are located in Los Angeles, Orange County, Inland Empire, Palm Springs, Indio, North San Diego, or surrounding areas, add Accurate Leak Locators and Plumbing to the top of your list of local plumbers to consider. Local Accurate Leak Locators and Plumbing is a family-owned and operated business that has been providing services in Southern California since 1997. They are fully licensed, bonded, and insured, and are approved and trusted by top insurance providers including but not limited to USAA, StateFarm, Nationwide, etc.
Bringing more than 20 years of experience, skill, and top-notch customer service to the services they provide, Accurate Leak Locators and Plumbing is one of the best options for local professional plumbers in Southern California. Their team of experienced and skilled plumbers offer a broad range of services—including inspections, repairs, and part replacements—as well as a 24/7 emergency hotline that takes care of emergency plumbing services after hours and on all major holidays at any time of day or night.
