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How to Hire a Plumber

Sooner or later we all need to call a plumber. 

The first concern is with the concept of "reputable." For most people, if they have heard the name many times over the years, they feel that the firm must have an established reputation. Unfortunately, this is often untrue. In the plumbing field, in particular, several of the most highly promoted companies have the worst track records. Check with reliable resources such as the Better Business Bureau and/or Tom Martino's Troubleshooter network at referrallist.com

The bottom line is that it is very difficult to make objective comparisons between two plumbers' hourly rates. But there is an even bigger problem with focusing on hourly rates. The issue of quality should be considered as well as how the company stands behind the work completed. All work at Quality 1st Plumbing is guaranteed. If we fail to fix your problem there is no charge. We will do a great job EVERY time GUARANTEED!

The best way to select a plumber is on his overall ability to deliver customer satisfaction consistently. Costumer satisfaction takes into account all of these issues and constitutes an accurate indication of value received.

Minimize Need
An entirely different approach to saving money on plumbing is to reduce the need to call them at all. The most common plumbing calls have to do with drains. Many homes have one or two problem drains and several that never need any attention at all.

Grease tends to build up over time. You can counteract this by doing things to reduce the grease buildup. There are several products available designed to reduce grease build up. Quality 1st Plumbing has many options for regular maintenance that is cost effective and will not harm your plumbing system or the environment.

In most cases, hair can be trapped in some sort of screen or drain cover. Talk to your Quality 1st plumber next time he's there and ask about suggested ways to prevent the hair from getting in the drain. It's much easier to gather hair off the screen periodically than it is to deal with a clogged pipe.

Another costly, but preventable, problem is frozen pipes. Make sure that all your pipes are in heated spaces. If any are not, make sure they are well insulated. Each fall, when the weather turns colder, disconnect and drain your garden hoses, turn-off the indoor cut-off valve located near the faucet, and open the outdoor faucet. If there is no shut-off valve, consider having Quality 1st Plumbing install one. Any water left in pipes exposed to freezing temperatures will freeze and may damage your plumbing system.

Buy Your Own Fixtures
A popular and effective way to save money is to buy your own fixtures. Traditionally, plumbers sell the toilets, sinks, faucets etc. that we install. Our fully stocked vehicles have 95% of the materials necessary to complete the repair. While we are happy to install parts provided by our Customer's, we will warranty only the material we provide. 

Group Items
Often the easiest way to save money and time, this technique is often overlooked. Before you call Quality 1st Plumbing, go through your home and check every faucet and fixture. Make a list of everything that drips, runs, clogs etc. Then, when we arrive, have us take care of all the problems at once. You'll avoid additional trip charges, set-up time and the hassle of scheduling multiple visits.

Water and sewage treatment cost money. When you reduce water consumption, you can save on both counts. If you have an older water-guzzling toilet and it starts to need repairs, give serious thought to replacing it entirely. Instead of spending money on what will probably be a continuous string of repairs, invest wisely and get a reliable fixture that will save you money over the long run. This is also true for faucets and showerheads. Anytime these need attention, consider replacing them with new, water-saving units.

Remodel the Smart Way
If you are planning more substantial remodeling work, make sure you get three quotes. More than likely, each plumber will have different suggestions. Listen to their suggestions and reasons, and decide which ideas make the most sense to you.

Always get a fixed price for the job and make sure that model numbers are clearly indicated in the contracts you sign. If the plumber installs the wrong fixture and you can't figure out whose fault it is, you can have a real problem.

While plumbing work is expensive, there are many things we can do to lower the costs. Don't place too much emphasis on hourly rates. Instead, choose a plumber that has a consistent track record of pleasing his clients and use a variety of techniques to lower you costs.

-- Tips courtesy Howie Metz, Colorado Master Plumber