Finding a Plumber In Cambridge, MA

There are steps you can take to help eliminate some of the stress and worry when seeking to hire a competent plumber.

Licensed: Most states now make it possible to go online and check to be certain that the plumber you call currently holds a valid license to do plumbing in that state and you should always do this, even when facing an emergency.

Insured: It is also important to be sure that the plumber carries both workman’s compensation insurance and commercial general liability insurance which will protect you and your property should a worker be injured or your home damaged during the job. While it is more common that older homes have unexpected problems, it can occur on any job. If the plumber does not carry liability insurance and damage occurs, you may be forced to seek redress from your own homeowner’s policy which is best avoided.

Sometimes fittings become stuck and break when removal is attempted, even if reasonable precautions are taken. Fixtures that appear to be in perfect condition can have hidden flaws that may not appear until someone attempts to work on them, so allowing work to proceed without proper coverage is foolish as such repairs can be expensive.

Written bids: An overflowing toilet scenario is not exactly conducive to a lengthy negotiation, but the plumber should be able to give you a quick written estimate for the service call and a “not to exceed” figure for the repair including parts and labor. If an unexpected problem is encountered, it is reasonable to renegotiate this before further work is done, but you should make it clear that you expect to be told in advance if the original estimate will be exceeded and that additional cost must be OK’d by you first.

At this point, you will probably still have to pay for the basic service call and any work done so far but, if the contractor makes you uneasy, pay him for his advice and seek someone else.

Bonds: Some states also require contractors to carry performance bonds which are usually designed to assure that all work is done to code and at least minimum standards, but the exact coverage can vary widely and does not necessarily guarantee the integrity or financial responsibility of the contractor and a bond does not take the place of quality references.

References: A good work history in your community and good references are as important as any insurance since you want the work done properly, at a fair price, to begin with. Plumbing companies are often rated by the BBB and other service groups or pre-screened by an organization and, while these ratings are also not necessarily guarantees of future performance, an unblemished record is certainly a positive thing.

If a contractor will be spending much time in your home, you may even wish to run a criminal background check just for your own reassurance. A list of satisfied customers is another plus, although of course a contractor would not list someone with whom there was a major dispute. Nevertheless, you can find out from those on the list whether the plumber performed as agreed, completed the job on time and on budget, was pleasant and easy to work with and whether the former customer would still recommend that plumber to friends or family.

Professional Affiliations: If the plumber belongs to the local Chamber of Commerce and other business and professional groups, this is another level of assurance.

For a simple job, a local plumber with a current license is probably sufficient in a pinch, but for larger jobs you should check as many sources as possible.

A plumber with years of experience will be only too happy to let you know about his/her apprenticeship, journey or master level or additional schooling and certificates they have completed to establish their competency and reputation. Look for websites in your state that list such certificates of competency and whether the information is still current.