In a city as large as San Diego, you’ll find multiple companies providing similar services. This is especially true of plumbers. You see them all over town driving their branded trucks or vans. You may also see their ads in various print publications.
Unfortunately, most people don’t start looking for a good, reputable plumber until it’s an emergency situation. A better way to go is to do some research and find a good plumber and put the company’s number in your phone now, so it’s there when you need it. (The same goes for electricians, locksmiths, mechanics, HVAC companies, and any other type of company you would need in a home emergency). But back to plumbers…
Here are 5 things you should know about a plumbing company before you hire them to do work in your San Diego home or place of business.
Is the San Diego Plumbing Company Licensed?
The state of California requires that anyone providing plumbing services be licensed by the Contractors State License Board (CSLB). Hiring a licensed plumbing contractor not only means they have passed the necessary tests for certification, but it also means that you have some recourse if the plumbing company doesn’t complete the job that you paid for. All licensed plumbers are required to purchase a bond that is kind of like an insurance policy for their customers. If the plumber runs off with your money or does damage to your property, you can get paid by their bond. A plumber should also be insured, especially if the company has employees. If a company isn’t insured, it means you could be on the hook for the medical bills of anyone who gets injured on your property while working there. You can check if a plumber is licensed, bonded, and insured by visiting the CSLB website. You can search for a company by name or using the license number they give you.
Does the Plumber Charge by the Project or By the Hour?
Plumbers typically arrive at their pricing one of two ways: they will either give you a quote for the total price of the project, or they will charge you an hourly rate. Neither method is right or wrong, it’s a matter of preference. A plumber that charges by the project should come out to your home or place of business before providing you with an estimate. Be wary of any plumber who wants to give you a project estimate over the phone, as it can be difficult to be accurate without seeing the exact problem. As far as plumbers who charge hourly are concerned, check what other fees are involved with their pricing. For example, any needed parts will be extra. Some companies may also charge a mileage fee if you’re outside their area of service. Others may have a minimum service fee, so even if your plumbing issue only takes the plumber 15 minutes to fix, you’ll still have to pay a certain amount.
Does the San Diego Plumber Have a Good Reputation for Providing Quality Service?
Just because a plumber is licensed doesn’t necessarily mean they provide good service. One of the best ways to find a reliable, honest, quality San Diego plumber is to ask around. Ask your local friends and your neighbors who they’ve used. If they don’t have any good suggestions, you can also go to the online consumer review sites like Yelp, Angie’s List, or Google. Read the reviews carefully and look for patterns—good and bad. Don’t dismiss a plumber based on one or two negative reviews. Some customers are impossible to please and enjoy leaving a harshly worded review. You can also look for plumbers in the MySanDiego business directory.
Once you find a good San Diego plumber, be sure to leave the company a positive review online, so others looking for a plumber can benefit from your experience.