If you need to call a plumber, you probably have a leaky faucet or clogged drain that needs fixing. But before you can get on with your day, there are some expectations and considerations the plumbing company may have for you.
If you've never dealt with a plumber before, the process can be quite daunting. You shouldn't be intimidated, however. It's actually a straightforward transaction. The steps are similar to others you might encounter in other types of service businesses and are designed to protect both parties in the event something goes wrong.
The first thing you should know is that a plumber is responsible for repairing your leaky faucet or clogged drain and will not be responsible for any other damages incurred during the repair process.
You're also responsible for paying for the cost of the service. When you phone a plumber, your call will be answered by a customer service representative who will ask you various questions to establish your identity and location. The representative may then schedule an appointment that suits your needs and wants.
The next step is to schedule the appointment. The representative will help you to do this and confirm the time of arrival, as well as the type of service you're requesting. It's recommended that you arrive at least 20 minutes before the appointment time for a check-out, which usually takes around half an hour.[1]
When you arrive, a customer service representative will assess your situation and make sure everything's in order for the technician to start work. In some cases it's necessary to send for additional resources, such as a technician with specific expertise in the required job. Once all the information is gathered, our plumber will begin work of fixing your problem while you wait or in most cases, you'll be required to return later to collect your repaired item or items.[1]
During the repair process you may be required to pay up front when the service is scheduled. However, you're not obligated to pay for any parts or labor during the process. If you are comfortable doing so, it's a good idea to have your payment available before the service begins.
If you don't wish to pay up front, there are a number of different payment options. The most common is a cash loan from the technician who can take your check on their way out the door. It's also possible to pay later when you collect your repaired goods.
In the case of a leaky faucet, you should expect the technician to take one or two minutes to fix the problem. A clogged drain may require more time and effort than that, but the general idea is that it shouldn't take more than 30 minutes.
The technician will leave once he's done and you can begin using your repaired item or items.
If it’s an emergency, they will come immediately (although it’s always best to give them as much notice as possible). If not, they will ask about the problem and how to fix it. Sometimes they can fix it right there on the spot.
If they need to come back a second time, they will give you an estimate of how much this is going to cost you. That’s because some repairs are going to cost more than others. You may have a small leak that can be fixed easily, but a sewer backup will require a lot of extra work also. This is the kind of information that you can’t get from simply call a professional plumber. In order to know what is going to be required, you need to call around and talk to different companies.
Get a Second Opinion
If you are not sure which plumbing company in your area will do the best job, then just ask some of your neighbors. You may even want to compare prices with one another. There are some people who like to do the plumbing themselves, but it’s not always a good idea. If you are going to have to call them again, you don’t want to get a runaround.
Also, if you need a plumber who does it all, then you may end up paying more for that convenience. The best plumbers just focus on the area that they specialize in. That way you can get their undivided attention and they won’t have to worry about doing everything themselves. And with a professional plumber, the work will be done right the first time.
Lastly, you should also ask about any guarantee or warranty that they offer. A good plumbing company should have some kind of guarantee on their work or services. If there is no guarantee, then why should you believe anything that they say? You want them to stand behind their work and expertise as much as possible.
That’s how you will know that you are getting your money’s worth and not just taking someone’s word for it. If they do offer a guarantee, then this should be in writing and displayed at their business for you to see. If your plumber cannot offer you a guarantee, then maybe you need to call someone else.
Conclusion:
In summary, we would say that you should never get into a situation where there is concern about your plumbing if you have not yet sought the opinions of a professional plumber. If your company does not provide a reliable service or repairs that do not work, then you can always ask friends to refer them to you. In this way, it will be easier for them to give you an honest opinion. You may also benefit from calling another plumber first and finding out what their response is going to be like.
Author Bio:- Jacqueline Lewis
Jacqueline is a content marketing manager who formerly worked at Cali's Choice Plumbing & Restoration. She is a writer, editor, and content strategist for plumbing services. Making her knowledge and skills a power, she amplifies the readers’ knowledge about the ways of water leak and slab leak detection and their reciprocation.
Through her articles, she shares the most successful tactics and strategies of slab leak repair, mitigating blockages through Hydro Jetting, and AC & heater installation tips to the audience.
