Why You Should Choose a Licensed and Insured Plumber

Although calling the guy who said he’s a plumber and handed you a flier in the parking lot might seem like a good idea at the time, too often these decisions come back to haunt you. We’re all feeling the pinch in our pocketbooks anymore but hiring an unlicensed plumber is not a good place to cut costs.

In order to become a licensed plumbing contractor, an individual must pass a rigorous testing procedure to prove he or she is knowledgeable and competent. Most states require a plumbing contractor to be bonded and insured as well; both of these requirements are for the protection of the consumer. The license proves the contractor is competent, the bond provides recompense to the customer should the contractor renege on a contract and the insurance covers any damage that may be inadvertently caused.

Most states have regulations requiring a contractor to provide a written estimate of the work to be performed and specify that the final bill be within a set percentage, usually ten percent, of that estimate when the job is completed, barring unforeseen circumstances. Additionally, state laws govern how much a contractor can accept up front as a deposit, which keeps the customer from paying for work that is either not performed or not completed.

Successful plumbing repairs require more than just the ability to replace a pipe. Knowledge of building codes and structural quirks may mean the difference between a burst pipe doing damage to the immediate area or flooding the entire house. Similarly, a licensed plumber can tell if the leaky faucet is coming from the faucet or may be a symptom of a much larger problem.

Since some types of metal cannot be used together, licensed plumbers will know which metals to use, as well as how to adapt newer PVC pipes and joints to the plumbing found in older structures.

Using licensed plumbers can prevent a seemingly small leak from becoming a major disaster. So when next you need to call someone, call a licensed plumber.