Working With Pros
How to Work With a Plumber
Follow these guidelines, and your plumbing job will flow as smoothly as water through clean pipes
You've probably heard that old joke about the plumber's bill: "Tapping on the pipes, $10; knowing where to tap, $200." There's more than a grain of truth in there. When pipes burst or drains clam up or water pressure withers, the expertise of a licensed professional plumber can be worth every penny. Use our tips to find, hire and work with the best plumbing pro for your job.
What it will cost: Plumbers' fees vary enormously, depending on the nature and location of the work, parts and materials needed, unexpected complications and many other factors. Some charge by the hour, some by the job and some do a mixture of both. You might pay anywhere from $40 to $120 and up per hour for labor, not including an initial charge for a site visit and assessment. A clogged drain or dripping faucet can cost as little as $100 to fix, while installing or rerouting pipes might run you thousands of dollars.
Where to find one: Ask local, reputable contractors about the plumbers they use — they generally don't do business with a pro whose skills or work habits they question. Your state board of examiners may also offer a referral service. Check with the Better Business Bureau for any complaints against a given plumber.
The best ones are in high demand, so be prepared to wait for a service call. It's a good idea to vet two or three plumbers in advance to increase your odds of getting one out quickly in an emergency.
Where to find one: Ask local, reputable contractors about the plumbers they use — they generally don't do business with a pro whose skills or work habits they question. Your state board of examiners may also offer a referral service. Check with the Better Business Bureau for any complaints against a given plumber.
The best ones are in high demand, so be prepared to wait for a service call. It's a good idea to vet two or three plumbers in advance to increase your odds of getting one out quickly in an emergency.
Determine the type of plumber you need. As with most trades, plumbers have specialties. Some do residential emergencies and repairs. Others focus on installation during homebuilding and remodeling, which includes detailed knowledge of building codes and working in tandem with builders, artisans, designers and other pros.
Another set specializes in niches such as natural gas lines and sprinkler systems. Granted, many plumbers are well versed in more than one aspect of the field, but do a little research to match your short list of pros with the task at hand.
Another set specializes in niches such as natural gas lines and sprinkler systems. Granted, many plumbers are well versed in more than one aspect of the field, but do a little research to match your short list of pros with the task at hand.
Verify licensure and insurance. Little-known fact: There are different types of plumbing licenses. Be sure you know exactly who will be doing the work — some plumbers subcontract jobs out — and his or her licensing status.
Plumbers generally start as apprentices to their fully licensed colleagues. Apprentices in some states are allowed to operate independently after a training period. A plumber must have spent several years as an apprentice and must pass a state exam to earn a license. To qualify as a master plumber, he or she is required to maintain that license for a certain number of years and pass another state exam.
Ask for license and liability insurance confirmation before the plumber begins work.
Plumbers generally start as apprentices to their fully licensed colleagues. Apprentices in some states are allowed to operate independently after a training period. A plumber must have spent several years as an apprentice and must pass a state exam to earn a license. To qualify as a master plumber, he or she is required to maintain that license for a certain number of years and pass another state exam.
Ask for license and liability insurance confirmation before the plumber begins work.
Provide detailed information about the project. Any background you can tell the plumber, especially with regard to repairs, will help him or her determine the best solution or approach. For example, is the problem new or recurrent? Do you suspect a specific cause (e.g., an inappropriate object dropped into the garbage disposal)? Have you tried to fix it yourself?
Unclutter the work zone. Your plumber will be able to operate more smoothly and efficiently if you clear out as much flotsam as possible. Keep pets and kids out of the way, too.
Unclutter the work zone. Your plumber will be able to operate more smoothly and efficiently if you clear out as much flotsam as possible. Keep pets and kids out of the way, too.
Confirm charges for parts. Most plumbers keep basic parts and supplies on hand, but sometimes they have to buy specialty items after starting the work. Be sure you know what the markup is and how you'll be charged. The plumber may ask that you choose and purchase decorative items such as faucets in advance, with his or her input about specs. That way, you can ensure the look you want and avoid time-consuming exchanges.
Be clear on who cleans up. A good plumber will never leave you with a sloppy work area. However, if the project necessitates prying out tile, pulling off baseboards or other structural damage, not all plumbers can or will make those repairs. Ask beforehand whether this is the case, and plan accordingly.
Be clear on who cleans up. A good plumber will never leave you with a sloppy work area. However, if the project necessitates prying out tile, pulling off baseboards or other structural damage, not all plumbers can or will make those repairs. Ask beforehand whether this is the case, and plan accordingly.
When to hire one: You may be able to silence a running toilet or fix a leaky showerhead on your own, but more complicated plumbing jobs require qualified help. Unless you have extremely thorough experience and training from a qualified plumber, always use a pro for behind-the-walls work — the risk of water damage (or worse) isn't worth the DIY cost savings. Remodeling and new-construction jobs call for a plumber as well.