When you need assistance with the plumbing in your Indianapolis home, there are qualified plumbers that are available to assist you. With so many options, you may wonder how best to decide which plumber to work with. The following are some factors to consider.
Extensive Experience
The first thing you want to know about a plumber is how long they have been in business. If a plumber has been serving their neighbors for decades, it means that their community trusts them. Working with an experienced, well-respected plumber can give you the peace of mind of knowing that the job will be done right.
A Website That Is Updated
It’s easy to be impressed by a plumbing company with a flashy website. However, a flashy website does not always equate to an established, reputable business; just about anyone can put up a website that looks decent.
A good indicator that the plumber you are working with is quality and that they have a thriving business is a website that describes their different plumbing services. The website should be updated with current promotions. You want to look for glowing testimonials and a regularly updated blog. All of these things indicate a thriving and professional business.
Honest and Competitive Pricing
You should expect your plumber to offer honest pricing that is competitive. This means that they don’t have the highest prices but don’t offer their services at rock bottom. They understand how valuable their work is. You may want to think twice if a plumbing company has prices that are too good to be true.
You can expect plumbers to negotiate with you on cost. However, when you agree on a price, that should be the price for the job. Scammers might offer customers very low rates and then demand additional payments when the job is complete. An unscrupulous company will give you several reasons why they need extra money for the job. This is a red flag.
Stellar Customer Service
From start to finish, you should expect your plumber to be friendly with you in any interaction or conversation you have. A good, experienced plumber understands that their business base is good customer relations. This includes being able to explain to you any problems that they encounter when working on your plumbing system. They should be transparent about any repairs needed and what they will cost.
On Time, Every Time
You adjust your schedule so your plumber can work on your home; it’s only fair for you to expect them to arrive when they say they will arrive. Punctuality equals success. If a plumber says they will arrive at your home at 10 AM and actually arrive at 11 AM, their casualness to arrive on time indicates how they approach their work.
Moderate Upselling
Your plumber is not poking around your toilets, sinks, and drains because they love it; it’s a job that they do for money. As with all businesses, you should expect your plumber to try to appropriately upsell it to get you to buy more products or services at an additional cost. Upselling is not a bad thing. When a plumber tactfully recommends add-ons, there is a true problem that they see, or they’re looking to prevent a future problem from happening. When a plumber tries to upsell you, listen to what they’re saying. If the upgrades they offer make sense, you must use your discretion as to whether or not to purchase them.
Trained Employees
The only thing worse than no plumber is an untrained, unlicensed plumber. You should expect your plumber to have the certifications, licenses, and insurance needed to work in your home. This ensures the job gets done quickly and minimizes the chances of a plumbing disaster in your home. An inexperienced plumber may need to make exploratory holes in your floor to determine the severity of the problem. On the other hand, licensed, trained professionals have the tools and experience to pinpoint damage, identify problems, and make fixes without being unnecessarily invasive.
Respect For Your Home and Property
Plumbing is a messy business. It can take a toll on your home. The best plumber will do the job in a way that will cause as little damage as possible to your home. You should expect your plumber to use shoe protectors and take all precautions necessary to avoid tracking dirt into your home.
Plumbing Certifications
One of the first questions you should ask your plumber is about their plumbing certifications. While not all plumbers have all certifications, you should expect an experienced plumber to have an APHCC membership or to be a UPC Mastery Level or Journey Level plumber with the appropriate certification. The more certification a plumber offers, the more proof they have that they are knowledgeable, have received the proper training, and have passed the exams needed to meet requirements.
Mechanical Skills
Plumbers use mechanical tools when performing their job. You should expect the plumber to be able to handle tools effectively and do the job adequately. Most plumbers have an analytical mind, allowing them to troubleshoot problems and arrive at solutions. For example, a good plumber will know the tubing that is right for a particular application, and they should be able to diagnose problems quickly and offer solutions.
Safety Conscious
A good plumber will ensure that they put the safety of their clients first. As part of their education, plumbers are provided safety tips and practices to follow while working in a home or office. You should expect a quality plumber to adhere to safety procedures and follow them down to the letter.
Organization Skills
Plumbing is a detailed job requiring spare parts and many tools. It’s very easy for a plumber’s workspace to become a mess. And in addition to working with tools, they are working with water, handling documents, and manipulating small fittings. For this reason, you should expect your plumber to have organizational skills. This will allow them to carry out the job smoothly regardless of what is happening around them.
Included in their organization is their attention to detail. Most plumbing jobs require a systematic analysis, creating a plan, and following through with procedures. Missing minor details can have a major impact on the overall results of the job. This means that the plumber should be detailed orientated enough to carry out every job successfully.
Local, Honest Plumbers in Indianapolis
At Hope Plumbing, we pride ourselves on being an honest plumbing company Indianapolis residents can call. Our services are designed to meet your needs. We are committed to giving you the best service at all times. We specialize in old homes and are proud to employ NATE-certified technicians.
Our services include drain cleaning, plumbing repair, water heater and softener installation, plumbing inspections, sump pump repair and installations, and reverse osmosis systems installation. When you work with us, you can be sure you get the best. Whether in a newly built home with state-of-the-art plumbing or an older home with outdated plumbing, we are here to help. Contact Hope Plumbing today, and see for yourself what it’s like to work with local, honest plumbers who will provide you with the service you expect.
