The skills of a plumber are unique and very much essential to your particular situation. Whether it’s plumbing in a new toilet or bathroom, unblocking drains in your home or installing a kitchen sink, choosing the perfect plumber is one of the biggest decisions you will make. It can also be one of the most costly if you get it wrong.
Plumbing professionals provide installations, maintenance, repairs, and fixtures relating to basic utilities. As we all know, plumbing is a vital aspect of a home. Plumbing brings fresh water to you through the use of water distribution. If these fixtures stop doing their job efficiently, it's important to call your local plumber to repair the problem immediately.
Choosing the right plumbing company for your plumbing needs is very important. With so many plumbers to choose from, how do you decide which one will be the right choice for your job? There are various factors that you should consider before hiring a reliable plumber. Here are some guidelines for choosing the best plumber for the job!
Licensed Plumber: Plumbing Accreditation and Professional Membership
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Plumbers should be accredited by a professional body. This serves as your verification that you are dealing with a recognised and qualified plumber. To sign up to these accrediting bodies, plumbers often need to secure insurance and demonstrate their skills and understanding of common health and safety requirements.
Make sure the plumber you select has the required education and experience. All professional plumbers have to undergo several academic industry training courses and pass academic and hands-on examinations. These educational programs ensure your local plumbers are up to industry standards to take care of all aspects of plumbing. They also invariably go through an apprenticeship, where they gain hands-on experience. We, at Service.com.au, only work with verified businesses.
In Queensland for example, plumbers need to have a Plumbing and Drainage Licence. To achieve this, they not only have the required learning but also the necessary experience through an apprenticeship and/or vocational placement. We cannot emphasise enough the need to ensure that they are fully insured. If something breaks or an accident occurs, then you need to know that the job will continue and you will not be out of pocket, so at a minimum, confirm they have Public and Products Liability Insurance.
Positive Reputation and Check Online Reviews
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Reputation, leading to repeat customers, is how successful plumbers make a living. This is the bread and butter of their industry and is integral for many plumbers who work across a defined geographic area. Service.com.au has a great source of reviewed tradesmen, where you can get quotes from plumbers in your local area who suit your needs and more importantly, your budget.
In today's day and age, most businesses are online and tend to use this to their advantage, using technology to better their business. Having an online presence confirms to you, as the customer, that the tradesperson is great at what they do, building trust between you and the business. Established and reputable plumbing businesses will have a history of satisfied customers. Ask the plumber to refer you to their past clients and you can get feedback about the business as you will be talking to someone with first-hand experience. Always check Google Reviews.
If you can't find a website or any online presence or a record of their license number or public liability insurance, it's a big red flag.
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Alternatively, you may even know someone who knows a plumber personally, which can be another great way to get in touch with a quality tradesperson. Word of mouth and a bit of networking on your behalf can be a great way to find the right tradie! In this way, you can get the honest feedback that you are looking for, which can often highlight flaws that may or may not be in those online reviews.
Don't cheap out!
Many people are tempted by the money factor and end up hiring an unqualified plumber for their job. In the end, this could end up costing you more money, resulting in further damage, and potential future risk to your plumbing. So, hiring a trained professional can help you save money while taking care of your home and your everyday utilities. Not only does a qualification look good on paper, but it verifies the individual holds the skill and knowledge to undertake their expected plumbing duties with ease. You must employ a fully qualified plumber for your home or business' plumbing issues.
Call out fees, materials and other plumbing costs
There are a few factors that contribute to the cost of hiring a plumber. Plumbing prices generally are a combination of an hourly rate, call-out charges, and the cost of materials and tools. If you want to keep these costs down, you should look into buying materials yourself, or alternatively negotiate a total rate for the project. The market today is very competitive, and offerings like 24/7 on-call and “there within the hour” services are now the norm, not the exception. Be wary of selecting a plumber purely because he or she is the cheapest, yet has to travel long distances.
The added travel costs including time and petrol will build up, even more so if it is a multiple day job.
Communication and transparency
Effective communication and transparency are vital elements in ensuring a successful collaboration with a plumber. Consider the following factors to enhance your decision-making process:
Clear Communication Skills:
- Opt for a plumber with clear and concise communication skills.
- They should effectively convey information about the job, costs, and potential challenges to foster a better understanding between both parties.
Transparency in Quoting and Planning:
- Seek a plumber who provides detailed and transparent quotes, outlining all potential costs.
- A clear breakdown of expenses, including labour, materials, and any additional charges, helps you make informed financial decisions.
Timely Updates:
- Choose a plumber who provides regular updates on the progress of the job.
- Timely communication regarding any delays, unexpected issues, or changes in the project timeline ensures a smoother experience.
Clarity on Scope of Work:
- Ensure the plumber discusses and confirms the scope of work before commencing the project.
- A detailed understanding of what the job entails prevents misunderstandings and allows both parties to align expectations.
Availability for Consultations:
- Select a plumber who is accessible for consultations and can address your queries promptly.
- Open lines of communication contribute to a collaborative and problem-solving approach.
Documentation and Contracts:
- Prioritise plumbers who provide written contracts or agreements.
- A documented understanding of the terms, conditions, and scope of work protects both you and the plumber and minimises potential disputes.
By emphasising communication and transparency, you create a foundation for a positive working relationship with your chosen plumber. This approach not only ensures clarity throughout the project but also enhances your overall satisfaction with the services provided.
Not every plumber will necessarily do a good job for a fair price. But by choosing carefully, and thinking about the factors that will influence your choice of plumber, it is possible to find a reliable choice.
Choosing a Plumber: Pricing: How much does it cost?
A plumber is one of those tradies who are essential to so many aspects of your home. This part of the process may seem a little daunting, but once your trusted professional takes a look at the job, you will be provided with an estimated cost. Additionally, they will take you through the repairing process and how they will go about doing the work.
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A plumber usually charges from $80 to $150 per hour depending on the job. You can expect to pay the following:
| Plumbing task | Cost |
|---|---|
| Fix a tap | $70 to 150 |
| Leaking toilet | $200 |
| Install basin taps or new shower heads | $300 |
| Install a toilet | $500 |
| Hot water service replacement | $1,300 |
| Install solar hot water | $12,000 |
| New plumbing system | $11,000 to $19,000 |
While the price of plumbing does depend on a few factors, such as where you live, it is possible to estimate the cost and you shouldn't have to live in fear of hidden fees.
Plumbing Services: Consider multiple quotes
After doing all this research, you need to consider multiple quotes from multiple plumbers to see which one is the most suitable for you. When you are comparing the quotes, you need to make sure you clarify with the plumber what the quote includes and excludes. There may be added extras if a job is bigger than anticipated or extra materials are needed during the job. It's important to check this at the start to avoid any surprises. If the quote is poorly written or vague, avoid it! A professional plumber will have a full breakdown of their cost and timetable depending on the schedule.
Helpful tip: Get multiple inspections and quotes to ensure you are getting the most professional and cost-effective plumbing service.
The best plumber for the job is not always the cheapest option, so it's important to take all factors into consideration. The prices above are just a guide and are accurate at the time the article was written, if you want an accurate and up-to-date price, get up to 3 quotes from local plumbers.
The Job
While a plumbing contractor has a range of experience, some specialise in specific tasks. So, you may find more joy with your drainage system if you look for a plumber who specialises in blocked drains and plumbing systems.
How to choose a plumber: Get free quotes in minutes
If you want to know how to choose a good plumber, get quotes from our qualified and plumber licensed tradies Australia-wide. Whether you're in South Australia in need of a major installation on a hot water system, need a Sydney plumber in Parramatta, or have a plumbing emergency on the Gold Coast, there's a professional who will perform plumbing work just for you.
In summary, hiring the right home maintenance professional for your particular job will require a great deal of diligence. Fortunately, you have the benefit of trades and services websites and other online advertising, which can help you make an informed decision.
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