One would be hard-pressed to find anyone who has ever had a bad experience with an Ottawa plumber. In this town, plumbers are always professional, dependable, and courteous, and many of them charge very fair rates. Still, whenever you’re preparing to hire an Ottawa plumber, it never hurts to err on the side of caution. By asking the right questions, you can feel certain that you’re hiring the right person, and your plumber will know exactly you need, which makes for a smooth, mutually beneficial transaction.
When hiring an Ottawa plumber, here are a few of the questions that you might want to ask.
1. Are you willing to share any references? Most plumbers keep a list of satisfied customers whom they can use as references for getting new clients. And in most cases, when you talk to an Ottawa plumber, he or she will be more than happy to share these references with you, so don’t hesitate to ask. The plumber may even have several of them memorized, as it’s a very common question.
2. Do you charge hourly, and what are your rates? From the customer’s standpoint, hourly rates are usually the most convenient way to work. It gives you a very clear idea of what you will have to pay, and it makes accounting very easy. However, there are many things that go into a plumber’s work, and sometimes hourly rates are not enough to account for all the variables. Thus, while hourly rates are nice, alternate payment plans are not a deal breaker.
In any case, it’s important to be clear on exactly how the plumber determines the final cost. Ask if he or she has a price sheet, and for more complicated projects, you may even ask for a contract.
3. Do you accept emergency calls? In all likelihood, this isn’t going to be the last time you ever need an Ottawa plumber. And in the future, when a plumbing emergency comes up, it will nice to have a trusted plumber you can call immediately. So, you might as well work with a plumber who will be able to help you with all your future plumbing needs.
4. Do you have a license? Every Ottawa plumber needs to be licensed in order to work without supervision. Don’t hesitate to ask plumbers for their license numbers. They get this question a lot, so they’re not going to take offense. They’ll understand that you’re just playing things safe, as all smart customers should.
5. Are you insured? While plumbers rarely get things wrong, there are rare cases in which plumbing work may lead to expensive damages. This is unlikely to happen to you, but if it does, you probably don’t want to be left footing the bill on your own. That’s why it’s a good idea to ask your plumber whether his or her work is insured. In reality, very few plumbers are uninsured, but it doesn’t hurt to ask.
