Do you need any plumbing work doing in your home right now? If so, then you must look for a reliable, professional and experienced local plumber in your area who can serve you at your convenience. There are so many plumbing companies out there and it can be overwhelming to know which ones to go with. You want to pick the right business, at the right price and know you've made the right decision.

That's why we've put together a list of questions you should ask before hiring a plumber to do any work in your home. These simple questions get you the answers you need to feel assured you're getting the work you need done, in the best circumstances. Read on to learn what these questions are.

Are you a licensed plumber?

When you are looking to hire a plumber, you should first establish whether they are licensed. If a plumber is licensed, then this will prove that they are professional enough to cope with all types of plumbing-related issues. If you take the gamble on using an unlicensed plumber, there's a much greater chance of you being left with work done that you are unsatisfied about. As a consequence for this kind of risk, the existing problem will likely still remain, and you’ll be left out of pocket.

Do you have insurance?

Just like licensing, insurance should be something that covers a plumber and yourself. The insurance they have should cover anything from accidents to mistakes, and even theft of property. It's that peace of mind you need to ensure the job is done, in the safest way possible.

What are your specific areas of expertise?

Even good plumbers will be better equipped at dealing with some problems than others. So ask the plumber what they specialise in first before you hire them, to ensure they are on of the best people to deal with the situation at hand. Again, it's peace of mind for you - so ask them.

How long will it take before you can start on the job?

This can be a crucial part of hiring a plumber. If you have a pipe that is leaking badly, a quick response time is vital -  right? Even if you are insured, watching your home flood with water is a stressful experience you don't want. So you need to know the time scale at hand. It can also be the difference between being able to stay in your home or having to move into temporary accommodation until the work is done. Key information you need before hiring a plumber to do the job.

Do you offer 24/7 service?

Let's keep on the theme of timescales for a moment. It’s sensible to make of the differences between those that undertake a round the clock emergency service and those that carry out non-emergency work only. The latter will usually not visit a property in an emergency, or be available 24/7, while the former will be. Plumbing emergencies can happen at any time so it is worth having the contact details of a plumbing company that offers their services, all day every day.

How much do you charge?

The specialist nature of plumbing engineers means that you can expect to have to pay different prices for different jobs. So ask them how much the job is going to be - they will be able to give you a quote and with that you can decide whether you want them to do the job at hand or not. Note: calling a plumbing engineer in an emergency situation can often be more expensive.

Are there service fees?

Plumbers can charge a fee to come out to your home and evaluation the problem you're having with your plumbing system. So be aware of this in advance, and how much they are likely to charge. Don't get hit by any unwanted charges you had no idea about.

Is there any charge for parts?

Though a professional plumber should come to you with the right parts for the job, there's always the chance of an unexpected problem being detected whilst out on the job. As a result, different parts may be required. So, find out whether the purchasing of new parts will have an impact on how much you are charged overall for the job to be done.

Do you have any references I can look at?

A good, experienced plumber should have a number of positive references, reviews and testimonials they can show you. So take a look at them, whether it's on their website, social media or on review based websites, read through them and see what their customers have to say about them. There you can find most of the information you need before hiring a local plumber and get a good picture as to what to expect with this plumber/business.

How We Can Help

All of the plumbing and heating engineers here at Assett Plumbing are experts in providing the highest quality services for customers throughout Northamptonshire and the surrounding areas. They are equipped to deal with any situation, 24/7. For more information, visit our website or get in touch with us today 01604 372395.