How To Choose An Excellent Plumber For Your New Home
When you take on the challenge of overseeing the construction of a house, there are many important decisions to be made. Certainly, it can feel overwhelming. However, with simple and careful research, you can make informed choices that will mean the difference between a new house, and a beautiful new home. One of the first sub-contractors who will need to be retained is the plumber.
The best place to begin searching for a good and trustworthy plumber, is by talking to your potential neighbors. Word of mouth can be more informative than any listing in the phone book or any website. The lady down the lane will be more apt to talk about the way the company she choose sent someone fresh out of high school. Then there are the Millers, who called someone who was so nice that Mrs. Miller baked an extra coffee cake for him over the holidays.
Even if the Millers loved him, a quick check with the BBB can be a good way to check things out. It's a way to find out if any complaints have been filed against the company. The Better Business Bureau does not allow unfounded criticism to be posted on their site. If the BBB lists a negative report, chances are, the Millers got lucky.
While on the subject of documentation, ask any potential plumber three essential questions. First, make certain they are state licensed and certified. They should be able to provide a license number that can be verified. It is easy to verify license information by calling your state's division of professional licensure board, or by going to their website.
If the licensing information checks out, your second question should concern the plumber's insurance. If a worker falls through the second story floor and breaks his leg, are you potentially liable? You should ask about insurance coverage as well as worker's compensation coverage. This is to be certain that any mishaps will not become your financial problem.
Finally, inquire about the company's City and Guilds National Vocational Qualification (NVQ.) Only contractors with a NVQ 2 or NVQ 3 should be considered. An NVQ2 rating is given to a professional who has obtained training in residential plumbing, but may still be considered an apprentice. The better choice is to find a level NVQ 3 professional, who is qualified for new construction. At this level of education and certification, an NVQ 3 plumber is more likely to own his or her own business, and would typically have much more experience.
It is also important to inquire about the plumber's specialties. Are they the best choice to help you in your unique situation? Ask if they typically work on new construction, or if they do more work in maintenance or emergency repair. At this point, the yellow pages and the internet might be a good tool, since most companies list their strong points in their ads.
Another good resource is the local plumbing supply store. These folks can be even more helpful than your neighbors since they may know, from personal contact, who the best choice may be. Once you are satisfied with the selected plumber's licensing, insurance, NVQ and specialty, it is now time to consider what some people feel is a top priority, and that is price. You can help yourself immensely by finding two more qualified professionals and having them all out to your construction site.
Most reputable companies will give you a free estimate for their work. Be sure that they itemize the estimate, including costs for materials and labor. Also, have them explain, in writing, what costs or add-ons may be expected if there are delays due to weather or to other contractor delays. If there is a chance that the written estimate and the final price will be different, insist that the plumber submit these changes, in writing, before they are made.