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Finding the right plumber for the job can seem like a daunting journey. There are so many advertisements out there that it can be difficult to narrow down your options. Instead of hiring the first plumber that you see, you’ll have better luck finding affordable services that are high in quality if you do a little research. Do your own due diligence by asking the plumbers the following questions.

#1. What Credentials Do You Have?

Are you hiring a professional who has many years of experience? Or, are you hiring someone who is self taught and has just started their own company?

The key to finding a good plumber is knowing what type of credentials each plumber has. This is probably one of the first questions you should ask. You should ask them where they got their credentials from. For example, did they work under a professional plumber for a decade? Or, did they go to school for plumbing? You might want to avoid someone who is self-taught.

When you’re asking an Arlington, TX plumber about the credentials, you should also ask them about the amount of experience that they have. In general, someone with more experience will be able to get the job done in a much more efficient manner since they probably handled the same job hundreds of times before. On that note, you might want to ask the plumber how many times they have done the job that you’re asking them to do.

Do You Specialize in Any Plumbing Services?

This is another question that might come up. You should ask the plumber whether they specialize in any specific services. For example, some plumbing companies may do a great job at cleaning drains because they do hundreds of them every week.

#2. Are You Licensed?

This ties in with the question above. You definitely want to make sure that whoever you are hiring is licensed. This means that they will be able to follow the regulations and laws established by the state and the city that you reside in. You can be sure that your plumbing will, at the very least, meet all expectations.

Don’t just take the plumber’s word for it. You can also check if the plumber is licensed or not by yourself.

#3. Are You Insured?

This is a really important question that most people fail to ask. You definitely need to know whether the plumber is insured or not. If anything goes wrong, you definitely don’t want to be on the hook for repairs. You also don’t want to be working with a professional who is going to just hightail it out of your home. Make sure that you are covered by an insured professional.

You can always ask to see the insurance to verify any claims. However, you definitely want to ask how much coverage each professional may have. You should also know what their insurance covers. Make sure that your own home insurance will cover anything that their insurance won’t before starting any job, especially if it’s a very extensive one.

#4. Do You Offer Any Warranties and Guarantees?

Depending on the type of work that you’re getting done, you’ll also want to ask about the warranties and guarantees. For example, if you’re getting drain cleaning services, you’ll want to make sure that the plumber is able to offer a guarantee on their work. If your drains clogged up again within a month of the drain cleaning service, you’ll want to make sure that the professional will make the trek back to your home to see what’s wrong without charging you.

On the other hand, if you’re purchasing a water heater from the plumbing company, you’ll want to make sure that the plumbing company is able to offer some type of warranty on the water heater. In general, the manufacturer will also offer warranty for the heater. However, dealing with the manufacturer can be a bit of a headache. You want to make sure that the plumbing company will offer some type of warranty within some time frame. If anything is to happen to the water heater during this time, the plumbing company will deal with the headaches and fix the problem.

Consider the type of warranties and guarantees that are being offered. This might tie into the quote that you will receive. Companies that offer better warranties and guarantees may charge extra.

#5. How Long Will It Take For You to Arrive?

This is especially important if you’re dealing with a plumbing emergency. You’ll definitely want to know how long it will take for the professionals to get there. For most plumbing emergencies, the professionals try to get there within an hour. This is to prevent any further damage.

However, if you are looking for just regular residential services, you might have to wait up to a week. If the job that you have requires certain parts or appliances, you might have to wait even longer depending on how long it takes for the manufacturer to deliver the product. If you are on a time crunch, you might want to go with a plumbing company that already has what you need in stock.

You also want to work with a plumbing company that is able to meet your timetable and schedule. Many companies now allow you to schedule servicing online. This way, you can easily see the availability of the plumbers. You can also see whether there is any time that works for you. If you don’t see a time that works for you, you should still give the plumbing company a call. They might be willing to work at a later time or an earlier time than usual in order to accommodate your request. Keep in mind that some plumbing companies will charge you extra for that.

#6. How Much Will Everything Cost?

This is perhaps one of the more important questions. You’ll definitely want to ask several plumbing companies for a quote in order to see which company is able to offer you the best deal possible. By asking for several quotes, you’ll also be able to avoid scams. Some companies may charge an extra based on the type of neighbourhood that you live in.

Ask the Arlington, TX plumbing company for a quote. Ask him what the total cost will be based on the quote. Most plumbing companies will only charge you at most 10% more than what they have quoted even if unexpected circumstances are to arise. It’s important to break down the quote into different components. Here are some other questions that you should ask about the quote.

How Many People Are Needed to Get the Job Done and What Do They Do?

You want to make sure that everyone that will be at your home has a specific job, especially since you are likely paying for labor by the hour. Ask them how many people are needed to get the job done, what everyone does and why they’re there. You definitely want to avoid hiring help that’s not needed. Make sure that you also get a good idea of what everyone’s hourly cost is.

How Long Will It Take You to Get the Job Done?

This is also rather important. Ask them how long they would get the job done and whether that affects the quote. Some companies may choose to bring on less professionals for the job. However, this means that it will take much longer to get everything done. If you’re in a time crunch, this might not work for you.

What Type of Parts Are You Using?

If anything needs to be replaced, you’ll want to know what type of parts you’re getting. For example, are you getting original parts from the manufacturer or are you getting parts that are aftermarket? You also want to know what the differences are between the two and do your own research.

Most plumbing companies will give you the option of choosing either parts from the manufacturer or from other brands. In these situations, you’ll want to ask the plumber what their experiences with each brand has been. At times, it might be worth it to go with a different brand than the original. Some aftermarket brands are extremely high in quality, but only a fraction of the cost.

Is There a Charge for Travel or Overtime?

At least, make sure that you are getting charged for travel or overtime fees. If you are, make sure that you have talked with the professional ahead of time, so that there are no surprises on the day of.

Do You Offer Any Promotions, Deals or Financing Options?

Plumbing services can be rather costly. Make sure that you’re getting a good deal by looking for promotions, coupons and deals online. Some plumbing companies may offer cheaper services on certain days. For example, if you had to get drain cleaning services on Wednesdays, you might be able to get a discount. Some plumbing companies also offer discounts to certain people, like veterans and seniors.

If you’re getting costly plumbing repairs and services, you might also want to look for a plumbing company that is able to offer some type of financing option. By breaking down the payments into monthly payments instead of a one time payment, the plumbing service may feel a lot more affordable. Fortunately, many plumbing companies now offer some type of way for you to see whether you are eligible for financing options online. With just several clicks of a button, you can see what your monthly payments may be.

You can also consider negotiating with the plumbing company to see if there’s any leeway. Just make sure that you’re respectful about it.

#7. Do You Have Any References?

If you’re happy with what you hear, the next step is to ask whether the professional has any references. You definitely want to talk to past clients to see what their experiences may have been. You should ask to speak with clients who got the same service as you. This is especially true if you’re getting extensive plumbing services done in your home, such as a whole home repiping.

Make sure that the references are fairly recent. You definitely don’t want to ask someone who got a drain cleaning service 10 years ago on what their experience might have been. It’s simply not relevant anymore.

If you’re not comfortable speaking with references, there are a lot of reviews online. You can take a look at Google reviews or check out the reviews and testimonials on the plumber’s site. Consider the credibility of all of the references. In general, it’s always a good idea to look for a plumbing company that has a lot of reviews online, as these reviews are generally more authentic.

Call Benjamin Franklin Plumbing of Fort Worth If You’re Looking for a Plumber in Arlington, TX

Do you need to find a plumber in Arlington, TX? If so, you don’t have to look far. Benjamin Franklin Plumbing of Fort Worth is one of the most reputable plumbing companies in Arlington, TX. We employ a team of licensed and insured plumbers who have a lot of experience in dealing with all types of plumbing emergencies and situations.

They’ll be able to come out to take a look at your plumbing situation to see what type of services you need. They’ll also be able to give you some recommendations on how to solve the problem based on your budget and your needs. More importantly, they’ll be able to work with you regardless of your budget. We offer financing options for those who might be tight on cash. Best of all, you can apply for financing online.

Here, at Benjamin Franklin Plumbing of Fort Worth, we offer all types of plumbing services from, drain cleaning service to pipe installations and more. We can help you figure out your plumbing with ease. Give us a call at 817-478-4119 or contact us online.