Finding the right plumber in Hurricane doesn’t have to be a headache. Call Iron Mountain Plumbing at 435•241•7031 for help from Hurricane’s top-rated plumbing service.
It’s hard to truly appreciate the value of a good plumber until you’re standing ankle-deep in water.
When you’re dealing with a plumbing emergency, the last thing you want to do is pour through Google Review scores. You may wonder, “How do I research the best plumbers in my local area?” Given how widely the hourly rate for plumbers can vary, finding a good plumber can feel like an unnecessarily stressful gamble.
That’s why it’s a good idea to find a plumber you can trust before you need them the most. Having a reputable plumber in your phone book can mean the difference between an easy fix, or waiting all weekend for a visit that never comes.
Asking “How do I research the best plumbers in my local area?” is one of those unexpectedly specific homeownership questions that you’ll be glad you have an answer to similar to “Where is my circuit breaker?” or “What color is sink water supposed to be?”.
Don’t worry, because we’re about to break it down. As certified plumbers in Hurricane, Utah, we’re serious about seeing our trade done well. That’s why we’re going to pull back the curtain on the things WE would look for if we had to choose a local plumber: their integrity, reputation, and ability to provide clean documentation.
Where Should I Start?
It can be hard work to find a plumber you can trust. A lot of the time, that’s because you won’t get a full sense of their work’s quality and pricing until after they’ve visited your home. Professional plumbers understand that the best way to keep a customer is with a job well done.
However, we’ve all heard stories about sleazy, low-effort plumbing companies. Some of us have had bad experiences with one too, and a single bad experience can stick with someone for a long time. Thankfully, a little scrutiny now can save you some unpleasant surprises later.
When you first start looking for plumbers in your area, there’s seldom a shortage of options online. Yet, websites can tell an incomplete story. We recommend asking around, particularly among your friends, neighbors, or community members.
Additionally, if you’ve worked with any contractors to remodel or repair your house, ask them too. Many will have a preferred plumber or two in their phonebook. Plus, if a plumber’s work can impress a contractor, you know it must be good!
Check Their License, Qualifications, and Title
The state of Utah requires plumbers to be certified, making it easy to check if a plumber has a current license. It’s also a good idea to check if they have an active business license too, especially for a smaller company. Missing either a valid plumbing or business license is a major red flag.
As you research the best plumbers in your local area, check the title of the plumber who will be working on your house. This refers to the overall level of career experience and training that a plumber has.
Before moving forward with a plumbing company, ask for the title of the plumber who will be working in your house. An Apprentice or Journeyman plumber comes with plenty of experience, but it never hurts to have a Master plumber on hand for complicated or multi-day projects.
Plumbing Titles
Most plumbers enter the field as Apprentice Plumbers, getting their training through an on-the-job apprenticeship. These apprenticeships are plenty of work too in addition to working a plumbing job, they often do classroom or online training too.
If an apprentice is working in your home, they will almost always be overseen by senior managers. After completing an apprenticeship, most professionally minded plumbers move up to the next level.
At the next level are Journeyman Plumbers. This comes with a series of additional applications after completing an apprenticeship, and even requires an exam!
While a Journeyman will have some limitations on the work they can do especially regarding complicated installations they’ll be equipped to tackle most household plumbing needs. It’s always a good sign when someone moves directly from an apprenticeship into a Journeyman position, as it shows they’re serious about their career.
It takes a career of experience to become a Master Plumber. Literally! In addition to a minimum year requirement, reaching this level requires ongoing education, a supplementary degree, and plenty of difficult testing.
A Master Plumber will typically be the manager or overseer of several Apprentice or Journeyman plumbers. If a certified master plumber is in charge of your plumbing work, you can rest easy knowing that your home is in expert hands.
Take a Look at Their References (and Reputation)
As we mentioned above, a reputable plumber lets a good job speak for itself. This means that many plumbers have references from former customers to show off. Take a look at what people are saying about them online, both in Google Reviews and on social media, as you research the best plumbers in your local area.
Google Reviews can be useful for spotting obvious red flags, especially if they have a low overall rating, but it doesn’t always paint a complete picture. Take some time to read through individual reviews: are there specific things that customers praise consistently? On the other hand, are there any frequent complaints that would be a dealbreaker if they happened in your home?
Meanwhile, looking at a plumber’s social media gives you a sense of how they interact with their customers and community. It’s probably not the Master Plumber themself responding to posts, but it tells you a lot about their conduct.
For example, if their page is dozens of happy customers tagging selfies with them, that’s something to feel good about. Conversely, if their social media is just angry people asking for refunds, you might want to look elsewhere.
Get a Quote
If you’re on the fence about working with a plumber, getting a quote can provide you with lots of insight about both their pricing and professionalism. No two plumbing services will handle quotes exactly alike, but the process will tell you a lot about the respect they have for customers.
When you ask for a quote on a plumbing project, whether it’s an installation or repair, ask to have the process explained to you. An experienced plumber won’t have any issues giving you the step-by-step walkthrough. If they can’t, it’s a red flag.
Just remember that if you’re getting a quote completely over the phone or without the plumber having seen the job site the actual charge is almost always going to be higher. Either way, ask for a written quote ahead of time. Not only will this make budgeting easier, but it will give you a better sense of what to expect out of your plumber’s work.
If you find a plumber being especially evasive about pricing, or refusing to give you a direct quote altogether, you might want to look elsewhere. Ditto if the plumber is pressuring you to commit to work before you’ve had a chance to look the quote over. Honest professionals expect you to get multiple quotes and shop around, not badger you into accepting an unclear statement of work.
Extra Things To Keep in Mind
Finally, keep these tips in mind as you research the best plumbers in your local area:
- You might not always have time to vet your plumbers beforehand, especially if you’re dealing with a sudden emergency. When in doubt, asking your home insurance agency (or landlord) can be a reliable way to find repairs.
- Remember that your goal for plumbing quotes is to find the best value, not necessarily the lowest price. If a price feels too good to be true, it might be because they’re using substandard materials or cutting corners. Ask for a detailed breakdown of services, and remember that being choosy upfront is almost always cheaper than having shoddy work replaced.
- Make sure that your quote includes both the cost of materials and approximate labor. You don’t want to find out that you only budgeted for half the bill!
- When in doubt, trust your instincts! This is your home, and you’re trusting someone to perform complicated work on it. If something makes you uneasy, don’t just ignore it.
Trust Iron Mountain Plumbing for Honest & Reliable Plumbing Services in Hurricane, Utah
Now that you know what to look for, you’ve got some solid answers to that earlier “How do I research the best plumbers in my local area?” question. Finding the right plumber can be a time investment, but it’s ALWAYS worth it to have someone you can trust on speed dial.
That’s where we come in. Iron Mountain Plumbing works tirelessly to give customers, clean, reliable, and long-lasting plumbing results. For other important plumbing safety tips, check out our website or reach out for more resources.
Call Iron Mountain Plumbing at 435•241•7031 to schedule your service today!