No one likes to deal with an emergency plumbing situation, but unfortunately, they can, and do, happen. And, when they occur, you want to ensure you go with a reputable plumbing company. An emergency plumbing situation is just that … an emergency. When you’re dealing with an emergency, you need the best. You need someone that will do the work right, the first time around, to reduce the risk to your home and its occupants. Luckily, we have clearly outlined how you can tell if you’re choosing the right emergency plumber in this blog post. Follow these tips and you’re sure to hire a quality plumbing company that will get the job done right.
Avoid the Cheapest Option Out There
When you go to the doctor or the mechanic, you don’t pick the cheapest option out there, do you? When people are working or treating things that are high-value, you don’t want to cheap out. You might not realize it, but your plumbing system is an investment. It’s a part of your home, and when your plumbing goes wrong, it can damage the house. Additionally, some plumbing issues can actually be harmful to your health! Gas leaks and mold growth can cause serious health conditions and be fatal to you or your other household members.
View your emergency plumber as an investment. They will work on something important that can have a significant impact on you or your home. The cheapest emergency plumber out there is cheap for a reason. They either use inferior materials, cut corners, or hire unqualified technicians. All of this can be more costly in the long run. If they do repairs incorrectly, you will only have to hire someone else to fix the problem correctly another time.
You don’t have to go with the most expensive option out there but avoid the cheapest.
See Who Answers the Phone
Almost every plumbing company advertises that they have 24/7 plumbing services available on standby. It’s one thing to say this and another one to deliver on the promise. When you have an emergency and start calling plumbers at four in the morning, you may be surprised how few of them answer the phone.
Call your top contenders back to back and see who answers or returns your call the fastest. Next, ask how quickly they can send a technician to your home. Depending on the nature of your plumbing emergency, you may not be able to wait very long. For example, if you have a gas leak, you need to evacuate the house and have a professional come by as quickly as possible.
Pro Tip: You may want to ask about cost at this point. Many plumbers charge additional fees for emergency plumbing calls, especially ones in the middle of the night. You’re facing an emergency, so you should be prepared to pay this fee. That being said, you want to understand how much that fee is right from the front, so you’re not surprised later on.
Make Sure They’re Licensed, Insured, and Bonded
When hiring a professional, for regular work or an emergency, you always want to make sure they’re licensed, bonded, and insured.
Licensing varies from state to state, but it essentially means the technician has the right qualifications to work in the state. This means that only qualified technicians who have been through school and training will show up at your door. In many states, hiring an unlicensed technician is illegal.
Hiring a plumber that is insured means you’re protected if unexpected costs come up. For example, if there is damage to the property or bodily harm occurs on the job, the insurance policy covers these bills.
Lastly, plumbers can (and should) be bonded. A surety bond essentially covers any potential expenses not covered by the insurance policy. This includes aspects such as:
- Compensating the homeowner if the plumber steals any items
- Paying damages to the homeowner related to a plumber’s illegal practice
When you’re booking your appointment, after asking about their availability, ask if the plumbing company is licensed, bonded, and insured. This question only takes seconds to ask but can save you from a headache in the future. You can also go the extra step and ask them to send a confirmation that they’re licensed, bonded, and insured to you in writing via email. This way you have a record of them confirming this for you.
Do Some Research (Quickly)
When dealing with an emergency, it can be tempting to go with the first plumbing company that answers your call. Before you start calling anyone, we advise you make a list of your top five choices. How are you going to decide who makes it into your top five? Do some quick research on each company before adding them to your list.
Start with a Google search of the company. What is their Google review rating? We typically suggest sticking with businesses that maintain a rating of four stars or higher.
Next, try to read a few of the reviews you find online about them. Plumbing can be stressful and every business in this industry will garner some customers who were unhappy to find out they have expensive repairs to address. Don’t hold one or two bad reviews against a company. But, the majority of the reviews should be positive. Additionally, you want to see lots of reviews. This means the company has been around for a while and has appeased large quantities of customers.
Paul Bunyan Plumbing & Drains Offers Emergency Plumbing in St. Paul, MN
If you need emergency plumbing services in St. Paul, MN, Paul Bunyan Plumbing & Drains is your top choice. We only hire qualified, trained, and licensed technicians. And, we truly mean it when we say we’re available 24/7. If you need us at three in the morning, anywhere in St. Paul, MN, we will be there. We even have a comprehensive list of what actions you should take while we’re driving down to respond to your emergency. Book your appointment with us today.
