How to find a good plumber in the Norristown :

So you have decided it is time to bring in a professional handle your plumbing issues. Whether you are it's the toilet, sink, or many other problems, there are many things to consider when making this important decision. Here are a few of the commons problems that plumbers can fix:

• Clogged drains

• Dripping faucets

• Leaking pipes

• Leaking water heaters

• No heat

• Running toilets

• Leaking toilets

• New faucet installation

• Malfunctioning garbage disposals

Here are Seven Helpful Steps to finding a good plumber:

1. Check to make sure that the have a license.

2. Get two or more references.

3. Ask how long they have been in business.

4. Find out if the plumber was formally trained or did you learn through an apprenticeship?

5. Get at least one other bid for the job to make sure they are not totally ripping you off.

6. Get flat rate estimates so you know the total you will pay beforehand.

7. Don't make any payments in advance.

The best place to start asking about plumbers is your family and friends. Other good sources of referrals include contractors, real estate agents and your local supply store. Your city may even be able to provide a list of recommended plumbers.

When asking for referrals, be sure to check the type of job the plumber was called in to accomplish. Also, make sure there are no additional charges associated with the job.

Some good questions to ask:

Were you happy with the quality provided by the plumber?

Everybody has their own ideas of quality, so you should take a look at the completed job if at all possible. Find out if any of the problems persisted or if the problem is 100% fixed.

Did the plumber explain everything in detail?

It is important to know what caused the problem and the variety of ways that can possibly fix the issue. Have the plumber explain the plumbing problem to you in simple terms. Also, have the plumber show you the finished job and explain it thoroughly.

Were they courteous and polite?

This is a very important consideration. The entire experience, from beginning to end, needs to be as stress free as possible. Plus if the plumber enjoys their job, the quality and attention to details will be better. The customers attitude can and will affect the entire plumbing job. Hopefully this will be the first question you ask. If the answer to this question is no then do not go any farther, you do not want to work with that person.

Is a warranty included?

If a warranty was included find out if it has a reasonable amount of time before expiring. The type of work being done may dictate the length of the warranty. Simply stating a warranty isn't enough. Get it in writing and understand its limitations! A good plumber is happy to stand behind his warranty. Good plumbers use quality materials and know their level of expertise. If a plumber will not offer a warranty this is a problem in my mind.

How to Hire a Plumber

Think about the last time you purchased a car. Chances are you did not go to the yellow pages, choose a dealership at random, and buy your car from the first lot you visited. Many times, though, this scenario describes the way homeowners find a plumber -- they look in the phone book and call the plumber with the largest ad or the first one listed. But much like purchasing a car, finding a qualified plumber requires research and comparison shopping.

Ask Questions

WILL THIS JOB REQUIRE A PERMIT?

This may be the case for larger jobs. Permits may be required for interior projects including, but not limited to, new interior walls, removal of interior structural bearing walls, finished basements, finished attics, and new bathrooms.

WHAT ARE THE OPTIONS/PRICING FOR COMPLETING THE JOB

Good quality materials will be recommended by good plumbers, you probably don't need the most expensive product, but don't cheap out on this either. Make sure the plumber can explain the benefits of the products they are recommending and ask for documentation of any manufacturer's warranty info and product data.

Ask For a Quote

Invite plumbers to look at the job and ask for a quote in writing. In the quote also ask then to specify the time it will take to complete the job. It's not fun if you can't use your kitchen faucet or bathroom toilet for a long period of time. Make sure the contractors are quoting on the same specifications.

Execute a Contract

Execute a contract specifying the work to be done, total cost, payment schedule, start date and estimated completion date. Make sure the contract includes the all materials included. Make sure the contract specifies that the plumber is responsible for cleanup.

Things to Look For in a Qualified Plumber

There are a number of qualifications which can set a professional plumber apart.

• Insurance -- Be sure that the prospective plumber you are considering is fully insured, having both workers' compensation and liability insurance. Your selected plumber should be able to provide you with a copy of his or her insurance policy.

• Better Business Bureau -- Contact your local Better Business Bureau to ascertain if any complaints have been filed against your potential candidate.

• Use Angies List www.AngiesList.com to see what others have to say about this person. If a plumber has good reviews on Angies List then it is a good bet they will do good work for you too.

Safety Commitment

Accidents can happen with almost any home improvement project. So ask your prospective candidate what steps he or she will take to prevent injuries and property damage. Again if a plumber is good at his work he or she will be able to answer this question with ease. They have attention to detail and a cognizant of this when working.

Clean Up

Ask the plumber how he or she intends to leave the work area once the job is completed. You do not want to be cleaning up after a plumber for hours after they have left your home. Also, ask about disruption during the project.

TIPS

• Small business plumbers will be much more affordable because their overhead is lower.

• If it's a big job, ask a number of plumbers and discard the cheapest and most expensive options. The cheapest will have underestimated and will sting you for it later and the most expensive doesn't really want your business, probably because they have work up to their eyeballs already.

The rest of the free guide for hiring the best Norristown can be found at:

http://www.NorristownPlumbing.com