Things You'll Need:
- Yellow Pages
- Contractor Referral Services
- Plumbers
- Pencils
- Pencils
- Spiral Notebooks
- Pencils
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Step 1
Evaluate what you need to have done.
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Step 2
Ask friends and family for recommendations and then contact several plumbers. For more possibilities, check the yellow pages.
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Step 3
Have all the plumbers give you price quotes on the project. Give the plumbers access to the site and provide them with written specifications (including detailed descriptions of materials - for example, 'Kohler 'Vintage' sink in white').
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Step 4
Confirm that the plumbers are including the removal of existing fixtures (such as an old tub) in their bids.
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Step 5
Make sure the plumbers are properly licensed and properly insured.
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Step 6
Ask how long each plumber has been in business. Look for one who has been in business for several years.
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Step 7
Ask for references and contact them. Were they satisfied with the work? Did the plumber return promptly to correct any problems?
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Step 8
Select a plumber based on price, experience and your impressions.
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Step 9
Execute a contract specifying the work to be done, cost, payment schedule, materials to be used for the project, start date and estimated completion date.
Comments
Samuelson said
on 11/25/2008 Thank you for the article. If you're looking for "normal" plumbers, you can take a look here:
http://www.tradeplumbing.co.uk/What-to-Look-For-When-Hiring-a-Plumber_c_1629-1.html
GGDADDY said
on 5/14/2007 DON'T SUPPLY YOUR OWN MATERIAL. IT MIGHT LOOK CHEAPER ON THE SHELF OF HOME DEPOT OR LOWES, BUT THERE IS A LOT OF VALUE BEHIND THE PRODUCT SUPPLIED BY THE PLUMBER. HIS INSURANCE, WORKMANS COMP, WARRANTY, AND ETC. MOST PLUMBER WILL ADD TO THEIR LABOR BILL TO MAKE UP FOR THE MONEY LOST IN MATERIAL MARKUP ANY-WAY. WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU SUPPLY YOUR OWN MATERIAL IS YOU END UP SAVING NO MONEY AND NOW YOU HAVE MATERIAL INSTALLED THAT ISN'T UNDER THE PLUMBERS WARRANTY. SURE ITS UNDER THE MANUFACTURERS WARRANTY, BUT WHO IS GOING TO PAY THE PLUMBER TO GO BACK AND FIX IT?
Anonymous said
on 7/25/2006 That expensive insurance is there to protect both the plumber and the homeowner to cover small things, like if your house was to burn down while soldering pipes or a pipe burst after the plumber leaves the house. Side work plumbers don't worry about insurance, permits, codes, inspections etc. Use a qualified, licensed, insured, professionals, please. It's very costly for a plumber to change his phone number if there is a problem when it is plastered all over his trucks, advertisements, phone book ads, and uniforms. Try calling the side work plumber for an emergency.
Anonymous said
on 6/11/2007 The last thing you need is to have to wait for hot water to arrive at your faucet. A four person family wastes 16,000 gallons per year waiting for hot water to arrive at the faucet. By installing a hot water recirculator, you'll appreciate your new plumbing fixtures when hot water comes out immediately when you want it. We've been using a RedyTemp for 4 years now. It's an unknown secret that these things even exist.
Anonymous said
on 11/22/2005 Several plumbers do side work - some do it quite well and ar very attentive to your needs. Since they don't carry expensive insurance, they can under-bid most contractors. To avoid any problems, ask your friends and family if they know any plumbers - most