When something breaks in your house, you have one of two options: fix it yourself or hire a professional. The former is the cheapest route and can attest to one's handyman skills, but it can also make matters worse if you lack the proper skill set. There is no shame in calling an expert; after all, that is why there are Pittsburgh plumbers! If every home and business owner knew how to remedy every building issue, licensed plumbers and other contractors would be out of business.
Who You Gonna Call?
In no way do we advocate calling the pros for simple, easy fixes. We like our customers to be well-informed and capable of tackling such projects. However, we have also had the unfortunate experience of correcting the damage done by stubborn clients who took on more than they could handle.
With a multitude of Pittsburgh plumbers to choose from, we know how stressful the service-shopping process can be. You want to hire someone that is reliable, knows what they are doing and who is affordable. You should be wary of hiring a contractor who fails to meet every one of these assessments.
If you pay a so-called professional to fix an issue, but they lack the technical know-how to do so properly, you will end up needing to hire another one later on. It also makes no sense to shell out hundreds or thousands of dollars on services that could be acquired elsewhere. As a means of facilitating contractor selection, here are a few questions to write down and ask each business you call.
The Right Questions to Ask
- Do you have a valid license to operate in the state of Pennsylvania?
- Is your company adequately insured?
- Can you provide me with professional references and credentials?
- What is your hourly rate and the breakdown of your service charges?
- Do you offer a guarantee of any sort?
As much as this battery of questions seems like an interrogation, you have to remember that you are the one paying them, not the other way around.
As a customer, you have the right to know the answers, so you should not be afraid to voice any and all concerns. Unless you can fully trust the person or company, never hire a Pittsburgh plumber that lacks the appropriate documentation. Licensing and insurance protects all parties and is vital. Plumbing problems can be extremely expensive if not handled the right way, so quality of service definitely pays.