7 Things To Look For When Choosing a Good Plumber

As a homeowner there can be a seemingly never-ending stream of plumbing problems. Blocked toilets, leaking taps or faulty hot water systems. They’re all a part of life, whether it’s in your own home or an investment property. But when the time comes for necessary, often urgent repairs, you want the best plumber to get the job done. And that decision making process has its own challenges. They key is to never panic or feel rushed. It’s always better to take your time making the right choice instead of chasing up loose ends later on. Backed by a calm approach, here are 8 things you should look for when choosing a good plumber. 1. Positive and Reliable Online Reviews Reviews of Metropolitan Plumbing Sydney The first thing you want to do is look at online reviews. Never leave it until you’re unhappy with a job and want to complain. It’s one thing to stick to a name you remember from television advertising or letterbox drops, but it’s another to properly check out their reputation and reviews. Leading resources include Product Review, an Australian consumer-based review site, and Google Review. Both are independent sources where customers can leave detailed feedback. You can then check out the pros and cons before making any decision. Look for recurring themes surrounding pricing, job satisfaction, customer service and availability. Individual reviews may focus on just one point, like pricing, so it’s always good to capture the overall picture. An inside tip is to avoid the lure of companies which seem too good to be true. An overall 5-star rating looks appealing, but is there actually a large quantity of reviews? A good balance of positive and negative reviews reveals legitimacy and engagement. There’s a better chance at truly seeing a company’s overall performance, rather than a tiny snapshot. Remember, it’s not possible to please everyone. There will be negative reviews and although 5 stars seems tantalising, the 4.5 ratings are the best benchmark. You can build from there and use the feedback as the perfect starting point for choosing a good plumber. Check out Metropolitan Plumbing's reviews on Product Review 2. A Good Social Media/Online Presence An engaging, communicative social media and online presence is just as informative as customer reviews. And although it may not be the first thing you think of when looking for a plumber, it’s an invaluable resource. Regular communication, informative posts and a professional website indicates a company which cares about customers. It’s more than just image.  Evidence of a plumber answering questions and comments is always beneficial. As the customer you can rest assured someone is willing to help if anything goes wrong. On the other hand, when it seems like it’s difficult to engage with a plumber online, often the poor communication stretches to customer service.  Irregular posts, no customer interaction and obvious negative comments are a major detraction. Just stay away from the plumbers and companies which give off a sour feeling on social media.  Instead, look for those who post great images and have a positive interaction with customers. An active blog on their website is a good sign so is an active YouTube channel. This can really give you a better feel for the company or plumber you're going to be working with. Plumbers that are proud to show off past work are helping you make a big decision. Their eye-catching renovations and professional installations are all the evidence you need. As they say, a picture is worth 1000 words. 3. License Numbers and Insurance Always use a fully licensed plumber, electrician, technician or tradesperson. There are no ifs or buts about it. Even if the prices are low and you’re desperate, the risk does not balance out the reward.  While you’re looking at a website or Facebook page, look for licence numbers. Often they’ll be located in the About Us section or a page footer. Perhaps the licences are even in the general text. Either way, the crucial part is you should easily find licence numbers without having to dig too deep. Licence numbers also vary in each state. For example, Western Australia has separate licences for gas fitting and plumbing. Other states are combined. The differences are especially important for a national company which has plumbers in various states. Take note of insurance, too. This is equally as important as it means the plumber is covered if anything serious does go wrong. 4. Flexible Availability Fast response times, 24/7 availability and same day service is the least anyone should expect. We all have busy lives due to work, family time, sporting commitments and socialising. Sometimes it feels like there’s barely a moment to blink. And when you’re that busy, waiting all day long for a tradesperson is the last thing you want to do. Being told to expect someone next Thursday between 9-5 is not good enough. You want a plumber that fits within your schedule. Search for plumbers offering same day service, or even attendance within the hour. They’re crucial for emergencies. But if you’re looking to schedule in future work, after hours or weekend attendance is a big bonus. That means there’s no need to wait around all day and take time off work. Unfortunately, the difficult part is that 24/7 availability doesn’t always go to plan. There are peak times where others are also going through a household plumbing emergency. Your job won’t always be able to be prioritised. Sometimes there just will not be a local plumber available. That means calling around and biding time. This is where communication is critical. It can be difficult locking down availability when emergency strikes. That’s why many plumbers offer windows of availability. What you can do is go into any conversation prepared to ask the big questions. Lock down their availability and make sure they are going to communicate. A good plumber will be willing to provide a courtesy call or update you if they’re running late. Good plumbers are accountable for their availability. 5. Welcoming Customer Service Whether you’re calling your local plumber or a big company, the initial response says a lot. A polite greeting is going to set the tone against a gruff hello. Now, the actual talent of the tradesperson isn’t inherently linked with customer service, but it matters. You want to hire someone who is interested in taking your call and getting the job done precisely. There’s no point in hiring a disinterested plumber who arrives late, barely pays attention and is gone within the blink of an eye. Your job is just another to tick off. No, you want someone who cares. They should be able to answer all of your questions. The initial interaction should be smooth, friendly and encouraging. You want to feel at ease and welcomed as a customer. In essence, you want to know you made the right call before any decision is signed off. Feel free to ask questions. A good plumber, or receptionist, will provide answers. Plumbing doesn’t have to be a mysterious realm where someone can’t answer your queries. There should never be the feeling that you’re a nuisance. 6. Warranties Confirming that your plumber is warranty friendly, for lack of better wording, is a two-pronged necessity. Firstly, how does the plumber impact any existing warranties? Secondly, is their workmanship covered by warranty? In terms of actual products like hot water systems, many brands require an authorised dealer or plumber to perform any work. By hiring someone associated with the dealer network you can remain confident that a warranty is not impacted. That’s why it’s best to consult your warranty guidelines or contact your dealer before calling the local plumber. The last thing you want is a minor repair to prevent you from future assistance which will cost much, much more.  Meanwhile, what about other work? Is the workmanship of a plumber installing a new tap covered by warranty? It’s always a major safety net having a guarantee on workmanship, no matter how big the job is.  Whether something goes wrong next week or in 10 months, if the unexpected happens it’s a relief knowing the issue can be fixed at no additional cost. You won’t feel like you’re a bother, and the plumber can’t shrug off the blame. Workmanship guarantees promise quality and reliability when something does go wrong.  7. Transparent Pricing, Fees and Charges Last, but certainly not least, you should always be able to discuss transparent pricing with a good plumber. From attendance fees to quotes and after hours expenses, there should be clarity on what will be paid. This includes understanding when you’ll be charged. Some plumbers will charge you at the end of the job without clarification. Others prefer to inspect the job onsite and offer a fixed price quote ahead of time. Some charge base hourly rates, while others charge by the job, not the hour. Fees and charges are something you want to clarify before any tool is touched. Additionally, use pricing research as a chance to determine what you want. If you’re after a weekend or emergency plumber, avoid plumbers that charge extra for after hours attendance. Look for someone with honest fees and no after hours price hikes. You don’t want to be left with an inflated bill. Money should not be the driving influence behind your selection, but it is something you can’t ignore. If you can’t clearly find pricing online, take the time to ask all the questions over the phone before committing. As with everything when choosing a good plumber, it’s better to ask first and know you’ve made the right decision, instead of chasing shadows once a job is done. Author Bio David Ellingsen is the founder and owner of Metropolitan Plumbing, a leader in the Australian plumbing industry. With over 25 years’ experience at the helm of Metropolitan,