We've all heard the horror stories of plumbers who lack experience and qualifications and cause damage to the plumbing system and customer's homes. It doesn't have to be that way, though. Especially if you invest in the services of a residential plumber who has a good reputation, the right qualifications and the experience to perform a first-rate job safely. 

How do you go about hiring a good residential plumber, though? Following the 5 suggestions highlighted below is a great start to making sure your plumbing system and home are in safe hands.

Are They Fully and Properly Licensed? 

Above all else, one of the very first things you need to ask before hiring a residential plumber is if they have the appropriate insurance, certification and licensing for the state you are based. If your state does not require that plumbers have licensing, it's wise to check whether there have been any formal complaints made against a firm or individual you are interested in hiring. 

A firm that has adequate insurance not only protects them but protects you and your property against any accidents or mistakes. While certification shows that they have the education and training to complete plumbing tasks. 

Customer Reviews and References

Following nicely from the above, it's always good to get some customer experience to back-up a plumber's claims about their services and how good they are. As for professional references and check out online reviews that previous customers have published online. Simply Googling the company or individual's name followed by the word reviews is often enough to finds links to the kind of information you are looking for.

Remember to read through the negatives as well as the positives, so that you can get the fullest picture of what the firm is like. 

Do they Offer a Warranty for Their Services?

You also need to check whether a plumber offers a warranty for the work they do. It is recommended that you avoid hiring a plumbing firm or individual who doesn't offer a warranty to back up their work. When trying to decide which is the best deal, look for the company that offers the most warranty coverage, not just in terms of how long it lasts (though that is very important), but also in terms of what kind of coverage they offer.

Is the warranty to cover the parts, components or just the labor? Most plumbing contractors will make this information easily accessible on their website. If they haven't, don't be shy about asking them directly when seeking out a quote.

How Long Have They Been in Business?

Thinking back to when we said about certifications and licensing, while those are obviously very important, they only tell half the story with regards to how good a job you will get from a plumber. The licensing and certifications prove that they are legally allowed and capable of working on plumbing systems. However, neither of those give any indication as to how long they have been working as a Blaine Residential Plumber.

It is therefore crucial, to ensure you get the best service possible that you check how long they have worked professionally in plumbing. The more experience they have, the better at the job they are likely to be and less likely to make costly and time-consuming mistakes.

Price

We would never suggest that you base the decision on the residential plumber you hire on price alone, but it is something you need to consider. Remember though, that price is intrinsically connected to quality often. Therefore, don't just hire a plumber because they charge less than other companies and individuals. There could be a very good reason why they charge less - because they know their service is not as good.