When searching for a local plumber to complete a job at your home or business it is important to get a quote before any work begins. A quote will tell you how much the job will cost, as well as some of the terms and conditions attached with the work.
Getting quotes though can seem daunting and a lot of hassle. While it may seem easier to simply use the first plumber available, by collecting and comparing quotes you can actually save money and ensure that you have your work completed to the highest possible standard.
Here are 8 quick tips to help you not only find plumbers to give you a quote, but help you to know that the quote you receive is reliable.
1. Phone a Friend
Before starting your search to find a plumber to fix your problems it is best to get recommendations from people who have had work completed themselves.
Whether it’s your friend, colleague, neighbour or relative, word-of-mouth is a great way to know that a plumber is reliable and does quality work. Simply ask around to see if anyone has had a good recent experience. People are more than happy to recommend a trades person when they have a good experience, and are also very willing to share bad experiences so you know who to steer clear of!
It’s ideal to find a local plumber, who knows your area. For instance if you are on Sydney’s North Shore or Northern Beaches, a local plumber like JEDI Plumbing should be top of your list.
2. Read a Review
After asking for recommendations from people you know, or searching online, you may have a short-list of plumbers to call.
But before you do, you might like to do a Google search for the name of the plumber to see if there are any online reviews about their services – though these are not always to be trusted.
3. Make Sure They are Licensed
Perhaps the most important step in the process of getting a quote for a plumbing job is making sure that the plumber is appropriately licensed and registered.
Plumbers who are licensed will be more than happy to provide you with their license details, along with any registration or membership numbers.
If you would like to double-check whether they are appropriately licensed, most states have online portals where you can search by name to see what license a plumber currently holds.
For those researching a plumber in NSW, you can search using the NSW Government’s One Gov portal at: http://www.onegov.nsw.gov.au//new/categories/contractors-tradespeople.
4. Get Them to Come to Your Home
It may seem obvious, but for complex or big jobs it is important that the plumber actually visit your home to view the job.
Those who provide complex job quotes over the phone may be overcharging or underestimating the job which may lead to you being charged more than the initial quote.
5. Get an Itemised Quote
While you are mostly interested in the total cost, make sure that you get an itemised quote which lists the price of each of the components of the job. This will include all the parts used as well as the labour costs.
An itemised quote will allow you to easily compare quotes between different plumbers, and will come in handy in case there is a discrepancy between the quote and final price.
6. Is There a Guarantee?
What if there is a problem with the work completed, or the problem simply isn’t fixed?
A good plumber will be able to provide you with a guarantee for their work and be willing to fix any issues that arise following completion. Of course, should there be a conflict Fair Trading can be called in to arbitrate, but having an up-front guarantee gives you some peace of mind.
7. How Long is the Quote Valid?
Quotes aren’t valid forever. Costs for parts and labour change, as does the schedule for the plumber. Simply ask how long the quote is valid for so you know how long you have to make your decision.
8. Get More Than One Quote for Big Jobs
For any large or complex jobs it is important to collect multiple quotes. This will allow you to compare quotes to find the plumber providing the best value for the job.
As a rule of thumb, for any job over $1000 you should at least get three quotes.
If you are looking for a plumbing quote in Sydney’s North Shore or Northern Beaches we invite you to call us at JEDI Plumbing on 0411 774 381. We are fully qualified and licensed plumbers who are happy to quote you on any plumbing job for your home or business.