Hiring a quality plumber for a fair price can be a hard thing to do. With so many plumbing companies in Seattle, it can be difficult to know which one to trust. Hiring an inexperienced plumber or one who cuts corners can have disastrous results for your home.
Incorrect plumbing installation can lead to many problems and expensive repair bills. Here are a few tips on choosing the right plumbing company.
1. Get Several Estimates
Getting several estimates allows you to compare prices and weed out plumbing companies that charge significantly higher or lower than market rates. If you get an estimate for plumbing services that is substantially lower than the others, that’s a good indication that the company will use bad parts or does subpar work. Getting a few estimates can seem like an extra step, but it is worth it.
2. Ask for Referrals
One of the best ways to find a reputable plumbing company is to get a referral from a family member, friend, or co-worker. Finding people who can speak directly to the quality of the company’s work is the best way to get an honest opinion.
You’ll find that some of the best plumbing companies get the majority of their business through referrals. This is because happy customers tell people about their positive experiences. If you get a referral from someone you know, chances are you can expect quality work.
3. Read Online Reviews
If you don’t have a family member or friend to give a referral, the next best thing is online reviews. Whether you are looking for plumbing repair, plumbing installation, or other services, there are usually reviews out there that speak to specific work.
Many plumbing companies will post reviews of happy customers on their websites. However, beware that the company will probably filter out any negative feedback, so it is best that you search third-party websites, as well. Online reviews are not fool-proof, as there is always the occasional disgruntled customer, but it is an excellent way to get a sampling of the company’s service quality.
4. Ask for References
In addition to reading online reviews, you can ask any company for references. Most companies will be able to connect you with previous customers who can vouch for their work. References aren’t a comprehensive view of a company by any means, as they’ll hand-pick their references.
However, if a company isn’t willing to provide references, that is a red flag, and you may want to consider taking your business elsewhere. Calling references can seem like a hassle, but a few minutes on the phone with real customers can save you a lot of headaches later.
5. Look for Proven Experience
Generally, a good measure of the quality of plumbing work is how long the company has been in business and how much experience the plumbers have. New plumbers are more than capable, but they just haven’t had the opportunity to see a wide variety of problems and troubleshoot them.
Plumbers with a lot of experience tend to be more efficient and can handle any kind of unexpected event that happens on the job. Look for a company that has been in business for years in your area. Established companies survive for a reason – they do quality work and continue to have paying customers.
If you are looking for the best plumbing company in Seattle, look no further than Craftsman Plumbing. We’ve been locally owned since 2014 and set ourselves apart with straightforward pricing and professional, highly trained employees. Give us a call today at (206) 855-6110 or contact us online for all of your plumbing needs.