Hiring anyone to work on your home is an important decision that will impact your most valuable asset. Your plumbing is no exception. Before you hire a plumber to do any type of work—from fixing a leak to a septic system install—there are some questions you should ask them. Their answers will tell you whether they are a professional you can trust and what you can expect by working with them.

What to Ask a Plumbing Contractor Before Hiring Them

1. Are You Licensed?

Never work with a plumber who is not licensed or who will not produce their proof of licensure for you. All plumbers must pass government testing that certifies them as having the necessary training and experience to work on your home. Keeping their licensure up to date ensures they know local regulations and can legally pull permits for your project.

2. Are You Insured?

Plumbers should also have both liability and worker’s compensation insurance. This will protect you if they are injured while working on your home. An uninsured plumber puts you at a serious financial risk in case of an incident, as they could sue you for damages or medical bills.

3. Is Your Work Guaranteed?

You don’t want to be left responsible for paying to have your work done twice should the plumber do something incorrectly. Ask whether they provide any type of guarantee or warranty for your work. A professional will stand behind their work and offer some type of documented assurance; the details of it will vary depending on the type of work you’re having done.

4. Can You Write Me an Estimate?

Get a written estimate that outlines how much they will charge you and precisely what you will get for that money (parts, labor, etc.). This ensures that there won’t be any unpleasant surprises when the bill comes. They should also be willing to give you an estimated timeline for how long the project will take.

5. Do You Have Any Current Specials?

You can save a lot of money on your plumbing work if you have it done when your plumber is offering a special for the work. For example, having some maintenance work done a little bit early during your plumber’s slow season means they might be willing to give a discount. It can never hurt to ask.

Buck’s Plumbing & Sewer Service is a family-owned and -operated company that has served the property owners of Upper Cumberland for almost 60 years. They are known for prompt and professional plumbing work, from septic cleaning to installing a tankless water heater. See their current specials online and call (931) 528-1157 to ask them any questions you have.