No matter what your current living situation is, having a local plumbing contractor in your contacts is a smart investment. Why? Well, you never know when a plumbing emergency will strike and flood your home. Even more importantly, plumbing contractors can quickly catch minor issues that could worsen. Thankfully, we can help you identify the best plumber for your needs! The following questions can help streamline your search and make it easier to find someone you can trust.

1. Comprehensive Credentials

Have you ever searched for a "plumber near me" and found dozens of potential clients? Filtering through all the results can seem like a major challenge, but it can be easier if you start by asking potential contractors about their credentials and the brands they claim to serve.

Are they licensed? Any plumber worth your time should have an active license from a trusted authority. Can a plumber work without a license? Technically, yes, but there's an inherent danger. They won't have insurance because you can't get contractor insurance without a license.

In fact, that brings us to our next question: asking about their insurance. What kind do they have, and is it strong enough for your needs? Finally, ask about credentials and getting references from their customers.

2. Competitive Costs

Here's the age-old plumbing question: how much will a plumber charge you for their services? Trustworthy plumbers have transparent pricing models you can quickly understand. Others will charge you service fees and other hidden costs that can quickly drive up your bill. How can you be sure your plumbers have a fair pricing model? Ideally, it's best to sit down with them and ask them to draw up an estimate with all potential fees. This should give you a good idea of what to expect.

3. Quick Communications

The best local plumbing contractor should provide you with a response time estimate based on their previous work. Do they use a radio-based communication system to keep their team working? Can they respond in 30 minutes or less? It's also important to ask about travel time. Many plumbers charge an extra fee, which can add considerably to your costs if they have to travel far to get to you. Of course, you can avoid this by working with a local plumber close to your neighborhood.

4. Regular Maintenance Offerings

Next, make sure that you ask your plumber about what kind of maintenance they can perform. For example, ask them if they can help keep systems like your water heater, sewer and drains, and other points of concern in shape. According to Forbes, water heaters, for instance, should be replaced every 10 years. You can put off complete replacements in a lot of cases if you keep up with performing regular maintenance. This smart step can reduce your overall bills and ensure that you get the best experience for your home's plumbing needs.

5. Applicable Specialties

Did you know that most plumbers have specific specialties that help them stand out? For example, some might provide primarily residential service, while others focus on commercial or industrial service. As a result, it's critical to sit down and ask about any specialties they provide.

These may include personalized repair services, repairs and maintenance on specific brands, and other unique services. What about emergency plumbing? You should always find an expert who provides 24/7 response to dangers like flooding, burst pipes, and more. Even mild water damage can be difficult to deal with, in our experience, so it helps if they can respond quickly.

Just as importantly, you should make sure that your plumbers understand your pipe systems. How can you be sure they do? Simply ask them if they've worked with them before! In fact, if they've been in business in the area for a long time, they might've even worked on your home before you owned it. If so, that makes this process even easier for you and them.

Talking with your local plumbing contractor can help you streamline your options and choose a trustworthy candidate. Are you still not quite sure who to trust? Please contact our team at The Witmer Company today to learn more about our services in New Holland, PA and the surrounding areas. Our team will work directly with you to find a plumbing solution that makes sense.