Guide to Hiring a Plumber

Go to a professional matching service

A plumber is one of those people you don’t think you’ll need – until you need him… but by then, it’s too late to be choosy. Before an emergency hits, compile a list of local plumbers through a plumber’s trade association or other reputable organization. Find someone who is available for routine maintenance work and emergencies (24-7).

I recommend: First stop: the Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors-National Association (PHCC) to find a plumber. If your job requires extra skill, then search PHCC for a master plumber, who will have the most expertise and experience. Visit ServiceMagic, an organization that independently and objectively evaluates thousands of U.S. contractors, and get a free, no-obligation match with a prescreened plumber.

Check them out

Unfortunately, contracted professional laborers, including plumbers, do not have the best reputations for being reliable or honest. It’s essential that you check out your possible plumber before committing to anything. Ask for references from the plumber’s past and current clients, and then call them for the 411 on this contractor’s work ethic, reliability, and trustworthiness.

I recommend: Check out the local Better Business Bureau (BBB) to find out if any complaints have been filed against this person. Visit Our Family Place for a great interview and evaluation checklist for potential contractors.

Require proof of insurance, license, and building permits

Many states require that plumbers be licensed to ensure that health/safety and building codes are followed. All plumbers must hold both liability and worker’s compensation insurance. Ask for proof of all of these, and call the insurance company, and (if required where you live) the building inspection and licensing department in your city, to verify all information is current and accurate.

I recommend: Go to Contractor’s License to search by state to learn license requirements and if your contractor is licensed in that state.

Keep your costs down

There are many ways small business owners can keep down the cost of their plumbing expenses, including making smart investments, by replacing old, faulty fixtures with new water-saving plumbing fixtures; cutting down the plumber’s on-the-clock time by cleaning his work area before he arrives on the job, and helping him clean up afterwards; and buying your own plumbing fixtures from a nearby discount store to avoid paying the plumber’s mark-up on the same items.

I recommend: The Federal Trade Commission offers an excellent fact sheet about hiring contractors (though this page is designed for home improvement, it works just as well for your small biz projects). Find a Plumber offers you many tips and helpful hints for all your plumbing needs. If you need a professional plumber on the job, just enter your ZIP code to search your own neighborhood.